A Warm Place is somewhere you can go, free of charge, to spend time to keep warm if you're struggling to heat your home.
In 2023, the Good Place Warm Place Grants Programme was utilised to fund a range of essential services and products including food supplies, equipment for food preparation and service, and contributions towards running costs such as support with energy, all aimed at supporting as many residents as possible through a network of accessible free to access warm places across the city.
The £40,000 fund was awarded to 28 projects, contributing to the establishment and longer-term sustainability of community hubs operating as warm spaces. As a result of this, there were visible improvements to residents’ health and wellbeing, both mental and physical, a reduction in social isolation, enabled further awareness of essential services such as financial support, and overall generated an enhanced sense of community during the cost of living crisis.
Good Place, Warm Place Grant
The Good Place, Warm Place Grant aims to support community groups, enterprises, charities, and hubs to continue or develop the support they offer to communities across York during the winter months from 2024 to 2025.
You can apply for a grant of up to £5000, but there is no minimum. Please only apply for what you need; we want this grant to support as many organisations as possible across the city.
To be eligible for a Good Place, Warm Place grant you must:
- have a presence in and benefit the local community
- have a focus on supporting people
- aim to reduce social isolation
- support local people with the cost of living
- offer an indoor warm place, with seating and facilities for a minimum of 2 hours a week, without requiring a purchase - this can be offered alongside current groupsand activities, or an additional dedicated timeslot
To request an application form, or for more information, contact the Communities Team on email: shapingneighbourhoods@york.gov.uk, or telephone: 01904 5551832.
Applications close at midnight on Sunday 10 November 2025.
Explore York libraries
Explore York is here for everyone this winter, offering warm, welcoming spaces in 15 libraries across York.
Libraries are open from early in the morning into the evening. You can relax and meet friends or join in with a range of free and low cost activities for all ages, including:
- crafting
- book groups
- board games
- winter warmer, low-cost hot meals at Explore Reading Cafés
PCs and printers are available for you to use, with digital support on hand from knowledgeable and friendly staff. All libraries and cafés have free Wi-Fi.
Explore York also offer events for children, to help families make their money go a bit further, including:
- a free toy library
- under 5s story and play sessions
- Lego clubs
If you need information about cost of living support, or anything else, Explore York staff are available to help.
Also see
- Community food help (Live Well York)
- York Talk Money (Live Well York)
- Help with utility bills
- Benefits advice
- Save money by saving energy