• Free and open to all 
• A warm environment to sit and enjoy a chat and/or activity 
• Accessible and inclusive 
• Part of a wider network of venues and support organisations across Shropshire. 
• A place to find information and be signposted/referred to help with rising energy and living costs and financial support 

• Information on training, a welcome pack of resources, and grant funding opportunities.
• Cost of living leaflets and signposting information.
• Grants varying in size from £50 up to £10,000 to help cover the cost of providing Welcome Space facilities, to include a contribution to energy costs, contribution towards insurance/cleaning/maintenance costs, relevant equipment/refreshments, provision of activities etc. (see grant level details for more info).  

To apply for a grant, you must meet one of the following conditions:
 

• A not-for-profit voluntary or community organisation.
• A registered charity .
• A not-for-profit company or community interest company or other social enterprise.

Please note: You can register as a Welcome Space without applying for a grant. You will still be added to the Shropshire Council website and promoted as part of the scheme.  

Level one: Local Community Venue – No grant required or apply for up to £1000.

• Open occasionally (e.g. once a month) or as a few one-off sessions over Winter. 
• Display Welcome Space certificate in venue and listed on Shropshire Council website.
• Hard copy access to resources (e.g. leaflets in lobby).
• May support applications or signpost attendees for support if able to.
• Reports tally attendance numbers to MEA.
• Attends a local “Welcome to the Network” session at local Area Lead. Invited to optional training sessions. 

Level two: Local Community Venue (enhanced) – £1001-£5000.  

All requirements of previous level, plus:

• Established local venue with regular opening (e.g. once a fortnight).
• Staff/volunteers attend training session on referrals to CRF partners.
• Can make referrals or signpost to Crisis and Resilience Fund partners – can apply for optional digital tablet to support this.
• Can support individual applications for support.
• Digital and hard copy access to resources.
• Optional to host advice/support sessions from CRF partners (e.g. energy advice drop in at one of your Welcome Space sessions).
• If appropriate, serves as a pickup point for physical resources provided by MEA for householders (e.g. warm clothing) 

Level three: Area Welcome Space Lead – £5001-£10,000. 

All requirements from previous role, plus:

• Established local venue open a few times a week or more.
• Can give financial resilience advice as part of wider work.
• Venue used for Welcome Space training sessions in local area (training provided via MEA or another CRF partner). 
• Staff/volunteers to attend Ask, Assist, Act training from Citizens Advice (arranged via MEA once grant confirmed). 
• Can send referrals to CRF partners, including from local community venues if they are unable to.
• Hosts advice/support sessions from CRF partners (e.g. energy advice drop in at one of your Welcome Space sessions).
• Serves as a pickup point for physical resources provided by MEA for householders and local community venues. 

For further guidance please email: [email protected]  

Does the proposed project have to be new, or can it be an existing project?
The project you propose does not need to be a new concept; you are able to use an existing project you have providing it meets CRF criteria and isn’t used for money already spent for your proposed project before applying for this fund. For example, you may run an event once a month from your venue, you could apply for funding to continue that project for the duration of this funding but not to replace what you have already spent on it.

Can you apply for more than one project at the same venue? 

Unfortunately, no. It is only one application per venue. 

Can I apply more than once? 

Unfortunately, no. Only one application can be submitted at this time. This is to ensure all venues that apply have an opportunity to be awarded funding. In future years that may change as we learn the demand for funding from you all but in the interest of fairness currently, applications are limited to one per organisation. 

What is the point of the funding tier system?  

The tier system is in place to offer guidance more so for the reviewal process. The application itself is uniform whether you are applying for £50 or £10,000. The tier system, however, allows reviewers to consider the funding ask in terms of value and need. Organisations requesting the highest available funding will likely have greater expectations on outcomes delivered and identifying a significant area of need than those asking for lower tiered funding.  

I’ve applied for the Area Welcome Space Lead level – if I’m unsuccessful, do I need to reapply for a lower grant? 

No, if you have been unsuccessful in receiving the level you applied for, that does not mean that you will go without. We will review each application on a case-by-case basis and hope to fund as many eligible venues as possible. Once all applications have been reviewed we will be in touch with the outcome for your venue.  

How long will the funding last? 

This funding may be used up until 31 March 2027, with funding for your proposed project expiring after this date. 

Can the funding be used to bring in other advice organisations? 

Yes, applicants can use this funding to gain or increase advice services within your organisation as this meets one of the CRF criteria (for example advice team from Age UK, Citizens Advice Shropshire, Marches Energy Advice and others). For level 2 and 3 applications, these services will be organised to work for both your venue and the advice organisations. This could be in person drop-in sessions or supporting phone or online consultations with these services.  

Who will be making decisions on the proposal? 

All funding applications will be reviewed by Marches Energy Advice with support from Shropshire Council Affordable Warmth team where appropriate.

How do I submit an application? 

Using the button below or by going to this link: https://mea.beaconforms.com/form/8a9d87fa  

Please make sure to submit your application before the deadline of September 6th 2026 11.59pm.