Launch of Stratford-on-Avon District Council Community / Warm Hub Grant Scheme 2026/27

Following the closure of Warwickshire Rural Community Council (WRCC) and an assessment of the impact of that closure, Stratford-on-Avon District Council is launching a grant scheme to support existing community/warm hubs, encourage the creation of new hubs and ensure that hubs are fully prepared for the coming winter. The scheme opens on 1^st October 2026 and is intended to support, prolong and enhance community wellbeing activity through community/warm hub events which bring together members of the whole community, with a particular focus on more vulnerable residents.

What the grant can support:-

• Venue hire or similar costs to improve the sustainability of community/warm hubs.
• Activities and enhancements intended to improve the experience of people attending a hub.
• Administrative and compliance costs, including insurance, compliance costs, DBS checks and energy bills.
• Other costs associated with the development and delivery of community/warm hubs.

Funding available:-

Who can apply:-

The scheme is aimed at non-profit organisations delivering a community/warm hub for residents within the Stratford-on-Avon district. Examples given in the application guidance include parish or town councils, registered charities, voluntary or community groups, residents’ associations and similar organisations.

Applicants must meet all four mandatory eligibility requirements:

• The organisation will deliver a project for residents in a community within Stratford-on-Avon district.
• The organisation has a bank account capable of receiving the grant; payments cannot be made to an individual’s account.
• The organisation is non-profit making.
• The project will support, prolong and enhance community wellbeing activity through community/warm hub events, bringing together the wider community with a focus on more vulnerable residents.

National organisations and individuals are not eligible unless working in partnership with a local organisation already delivering activity to communities in the district. Party political groups and for-profit organisations are also excluded.

Application and assessment process

On-line applications are preferred via our webpage (see below) or a paper application form can be requested & all will be assessed individually on their merits on a rolling basis. The Council intends that a two-officer assessment panel will review applications and notify applicants of the outcome within four weeks of receipt. The guidance encourages early applications because the programme will close when the available funding is exhausted.

All applications must first pass the mandatory eligibility questions and will then be followed by a scored assessment against questions covering the project, health and safety, improvement to the hub and attendee experience, delivery timeframe and funding/contributions.

To apply & further information/contact details

More details and a link to the on-line application form are available on our webpage at Community/Warm Hub Grant Support Scheme 2026 | Stratford-on-Avon District Council

Application queries can be directed to socialinclusion@stratford-dc.gov.uk