The Island’s popular Riverside Centre opened its doors for its first public event in nearly 2 years.
Some 150 local people attended the recent ‘Winter is Coming’ event which brought together a dozen local charity organisations to showcase the support they give to the Isle of Wight community.
The event was organised by The Footprint Trust on behalf of the IsleHelp Partnership, a group made up of the main advice and information providing charities on the Island, which includes Citizens Advice IW, Age UK IW, and People Matter IW.
Other organisations attending were; South West Advocacy Network, Isorropia Foundation, IW NHS Trust, IW Foodbank, Adult & Community Learning. Southern Water promoted their Essentials tariff, and other help available to households on a low income.
Citizens Advice IW and Age UK IW gave guidance on benefits, allowances and money issues. Footprint Trust staff talked with people about ways in which to cut energy bills and grants and assistance for those struggling with rising utility costs.
Local MP Bob Seely visited the event and had the opportunity to listen to charity front-line staff about the economic issues facing many low-income Islanders. He talked with Ray Harrington-Vail from The Footprint Trust.
Ray explained the issues facing people who are vulnerable this winter, due to increasing fuel poverty and other issues and the help his charity and others in the Islehelp partnership can offer.
Paul Savill, Chief Officer of Citizens Advice IW said:
“It was nice to be able to chat to members of the public about their concerns which included housing, energy bills and Universal credit and we will get advisers from the charity to phone them all to go through the problems they are facing.
“Today was the second part of Winter is Coming as we have already briefed professionals from other charities and public bodies on what support we can offer to help Islanders prepare for the cold months ahead. We will continue the 60-minute briefings for organisations on Zoom with another on 29th November. Please email [email protected] if you would like a link.”
The event was made possible thanks to sponsorship from Utilita Energy and funding from the National Lottery Community Fund and the Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme. Those needing help and assistance can call Islehelp on 0800 1448848 or The Footprint Trust on (01983) 822282.
jeez – winter comes every year
…and so do welfare concerns for the elderly and infirm, people with insufficient means to stay warm, and those struggling to afford heating costs – which are rising.
Doesn’t look like you read the article, it’s not saying winter is a new season starting this year for the first time.
people with insufficient means – would that be the leeches on free housing, free money, free food, free dental, free prescriptions, child benefit and a multitude of other benefits, which mean they actually have more coming in each week, than some people who actually work
That’s the way it works.
That’s what the system provides.
If you hold such bitterness towards those that are supported during winter by the system, then vote-out those who installed it and operate it so the beneficiaries are left unsupported and unheated during winter months, if that’s what you want.
Do you also hate foreigners, once the Govt has let them in ?!
Or just anyone in general who gets help from the state system ?!
“Jeez..”
I work for myself to make as much money as possible for me, to ensure that I have the best standard of life I can – I despise the fact that hundreds are taken each month against my will in the form of direct taxation and then I see it handed out to spongers, leeches and low lives who are too lazy or too stupid to support themselves.
I am not interested in working just to support others.
Some people are actually too stupid to work, literally – I think about 10-15% of the adult population are IQ 80-85% or lower, which means they’re not able to understand and follow instructions to completion in a consistent way for an extended period, which is the essence of low-level work.
But you resent this people, who need support ?
And Disabled people ? Immigrants ?
What about the money sponged by the U.K. Govt for a £55 Billion Track & Trace system that was never going to work (because the contract was given to an associate with no experience of delivering IT) ?
Or the tens of billions sponged by the Govt annually to buy armaments and weaponry ‘for protection’, when they could use the money to solve education / health / housing / roads / climate issues – you know to actually provide a better life for U.K. society ?
If you’d rather hate the person on the street who’s not like you, then you’re a perfect citizen for this Govt – distracted by “that’s not yours, that’s mine, gimme it..”, while those in charge rob you blind.
But not just the person on the street, no – the ones who cannot afford heat in winter and are vulnerable.