On this page you will find information on the following:
- Warm welcome
- Apply for Winter Connections funding
- Winter Connections events, activities and venues
- Background information
Warm welcome:
Winter Connections is co-ordinating and supporting a network of local places and spaces where people can attend events, try activities and meet up with others as the nights grow long and the wind turns icy.
Funding is available to help local organisations and venues make a difference.
Apply for Winter Connections funding:
Applications for funding are being invited from not-for-profit, voluntary and community organisations – and venues – with grants of up to £1,500 available to help cover additional costs associated with the individual projects.
To apply, fill in the online application form (link opens in new window).
For guidance and eligibility, visit our webpage (link opens in new window).
Applications will be accepted until all the available funding has been allocated.
We want Winter Connections activities to be available in every community in East Dunbartonshire, at different times and for residents of all ages. We would particularly welcome applications for projects which will be available during the festive period.
Grants from the Winter Connections Fund can be used to cover a range of project/activity costs, such as associated equipment, food, energy bills, venue hire, cleaning and staffing.
Potential examples include:
- A cooking project where ingredients are provided
- Projects which bring people from different backgrounds together, such as different cultures or age groups
- Electronic tablet/device classes for older people
- Lunch clubs
- Crafting or ‘making’ activities
- Classes with a focus on physical activity
- Sessions which promote simple energy efficiency measures.
The Council can help to connect venues with groups who can offer activities and vice-versa. Grant funding must be spent by the end of March 2024.
Please note, the Winter Connections Fund is not open to applications to support individuals or events to raise funds for other charities. It also cannot be used to cover costs of activities that have already taken place.
Applications will be reviewed – on a rolling basis – by representatives from the Council, East Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership and East Dunbartonshire Voluntary Action.
Winter Connections events, activities and venues
Background information:
Winter Connections has been made possible thanks to an additional £1.5 million package of support agreed by the Council for 2023/23. That followed a £2.1 million allocation in 2022.
Other elements of the 2023/24 programme include:
- A further allocation of £300,000 to East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture Trust to extend the programme of free swim and gym sessions for primary and secondary pupils to the end of March 2024
- An additional £50,000 for the Homelessness Hardship Fund, taking the total available to £100,000
- Confirmation that the School Clothing Grant will remain doubled for a further academic year (2023/2024)
- Continuation of the previous one-off Pensioner Support Payment consisting of a £100 payment for each eligible pensioner in October and a further £50 for eligible pensioners in January 2024, costing approximately £465,000
- The introduction of a Household Support Payment.
In addition, further funding is being provided to other organisations involved in cost of living support including:
- Cash funding of £10,000 to support the local foodbank
- An additional £50,000 for the Citizen’s Advice Bureau locally, recognising their role in relation to advice and support
- An increased allocation of £100,000 for the Community Grants Scheme.
Visit the cost of living support webpage (link opens in new window) for more information.