As the nights draw in and energy bills stay stubbornly high, the groups that open their doors to keep people warm are being offered a financial boost.

National Grid Electricity Distribution, the company that runs the local power network across the West Midlands, has opened a new round of winter community grants.

What funding is available?

A total of £500,000 is being made available this autumn through the company's Community Matters Fund.

Registered charities and non-profit organisations can apply for individual grants of up to £5,000.

Constituted charitable groups that do not have a charity number can apply for up to £2,000.

What can the money be used for?

The fund is aimed at groups that help people through the colder months.

It can support the running of warm spaces, where residents can spend time in a heated building, often with a hot drink and some company.

It can also help improve the energy efficiency of community buildings, such as halls and centres, that host those spaces.

That means lower running costs for the organisations themselves, as well as warmth for the people they serve.

When is the deadline?

Applications close at 5pm on Friday, 16 October, so groups have less than three weeks to get their bids in.

Why this matters in Birmingham

Across the city, churches, mosques, gurdwaras, libraries and community centres have become lifelines for people struggling to heat their homes.

Many of these warm spaces run on tight budgets and rely on volunteers.

A grant of a few thousand pounds can keep the heating on and the doors open for an entire winter.

The company says energy affordability remains a focus of its winter programme and that funding groups rooted in their communities helps practical support reach the people who need it most.

What is the Priority Services Register?

Alongside the grants, households can sign up for extra help during power cuts through the Priority Services Register.

It is a free service for people who may need more support, such as older residents, people with disabilities or medical needs, and families with very young children.

Those registered can receive advance warning of planned power cuts and additional help if the electricity goes off unexpectedly.

If you have an elderly neighbour or relative, helping them sign up could make a real difference this winter.

How to apply

Eligible groups should search for the National Grid Community Matters Fund to find the application details and criteria.

Image: Photo by Julia M Cameron on Pexels (illustrative).