The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HIWCF) has awarded grants to 3 community organisations across the Isle of Wight, thanks to funding from the #iwill Campaign and generous match funding provided by HIWCF donors.
The #iwill Campaign is a UK wide programme aiming to make youth social action a regular part of life for young people, particularly in deprived areas. The programme encourages the development of volunteering, fundraising, campaigning and leadership skills that will help to build confidence and improve skills for younger people while significantly benefiting local communities.
Aspire Ryde, Suicide Prevention & Intervention IOW and Ventnor Exchange have all received a share of the £45,000 funds, which are being shared out amongst 7 mainland organisations too.
Kate Shurety, Interim Chief Executive at HIWCF said:
“Young people have great energy, enthusiasm and passion for the causes they support. By taking action on the issues that matter to them, they leave a legacy to benefit local people and places while developing valuable personal skills that appeal to potential employers, improving their outlook and their opportunities. We would like to thank the National Lottery Community Fund, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and HIWCF fund holders and donors for their contributions that will enable our local young people to get involved in these fantastic social action opportunities in the heart of their communities.”
The grant to Ventnor Exchange is enabling the Brave Island Project to support young people to create online radio and podcast content from the initial concept right through to the final product. Participants will devise programmes exploring youth culture and identity, and present, interview, record, edit and promote these audio shows.
Jack Whitewood of Ventor Exchange said:
“Brave Island is the creative network for young people on the Isle of Wight. A new type of platform created by Ventnor Exchange to provide opportunities, experiences, training and career development for young people in the arts and creative industries. This year, thanks to support from #IWILL and HIWCF, we’ll be launching a new Brave Island Podcast, created by and for young people, working with industry professionals to produce the content they want to hear. Find out more at braveisland.uk/.”
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Aspire Ryde has received a grant to encourage young people to get involved in the running of a weekly lunch club for older residents.
Steve Johnson of Aspire Ryde said:
“We want to develop our Aspiring Citizens Project, (ACP) where young people will develop their own ideas around the planning, preparation, cooking and serving nutritious meals alongside our trained chef and then deliver these meals to isolated vulnerable people within the community. We want young people to have a platform to build on these fantastic ideas and make real social change within their community. Young people within our community are reflecting on social issues and we want to support them to take this further.”
Is that boy, 2nd left in the image trying to be like that Rick Mayall character – Alan B’stard MP