The Isle of Wight Council is inviting organisations to apply for funding that will help them provide vital support to vulnerable families during the upcoming Christmas holidays.
Applications for the council’s Signposting Grant must be received by 9th October.
Recipients will work in partnership with organisations delivering the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, which provides enriching activities and healthy meals to eligible children during the Easter, summer and Christmas school holidays.
Councillor Debbie Andre, Cabinet member for children’s services, said:
“Many more people will be worrying about how they are going to cope with rising costs this winter and may not know where to go to get help and support.
“However, we know many families who engage with the programme are often faced with other, more complex issues beyond the immediate pressures of the school holidays. We are keen to ensure that there is wider support available at a local level and that families are equipped with the tools they need to better manage these challenges in the long term.
“Applications are now open to organisations that can enhance our HAF programme in this way, providing valuable advice on a range of issues such as finance, health and wellbeing, employment and housing.
“I would urge local organisations to apply so that we can use this additional funding to provide support and reassurance to those who need it this winter.”
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In total, £17,000 is being made available for local signposting activities over the Christmas holiday on the Island. This forms part of the wider HAF funding awarded to the council by the Department for Education.
Grants are available to organisations from across the private, public and voluntary sectors. Eligible applicants may include Citizen’s Advice Service, healthcare providers, family support services, housing support services, Jobcentre Plus and more.
Grants can be used to fund a range of activities, including face-to-face and virtual advice sessions as well as printed and digital resources.
Organisations wishing to find out more should visit the connect4communties website for the full guidance and application form.
Seems to me it is common sense that is mostly what is lacking.
For if you are so very poor that you yourself are struggling to cope, then why bring into your hard life another life?
Contraception is free, but, of course, using such means no free home given, no free council tax, no never ending misplaced sympathy, and having to fund your own living costs instead of expecting others to fund your choice.
With full employment, they can no longer use the excuse that they can’t find work, so use mental health as the excuse to sponge off anyone stupid enough to fall for tales of fake woe.
Many on the Island have far less DISPOSABLE income each week than these people do, it is merely they whinge the most.
No, you are wrong.
It is not ‘common sense’ that is lacking with those who choose living from benefits instead of choosing work.
For ‘they’ instead of being paid a basic wage sat at a till for 8 hours a day 6 days a week, have the common sense to know, that by having unprotected s ex, that they will be given a free or cheap home, all c.tax paid for, twenty pounds per child per week, hundreds in tax credits or univeral credit IF they can be ‘bovered’ to work 15 hours, all the free food, extra help with heating, no need to save for home repairs, nor insurance, all paid for by others whilst they spend half, or in many cases all the week doing exactly what they want, be it at the beach, growing and selling dope etc
You know what your right. I make an absolute packet selling my gear and plod dont care becos thay would rather be catching you ol peedos.
Yes the truth is rarely told to you is it. Too used to soft, weak, wishy washy sympathetic fools, who fall for hard luck tripe.
Others are more wise knowing so many
I know several people who only work the minimum hours so as to claim all the handouts!!!!!
They are actually better off than me and I work i don’t claim any benefits …..
But I have pride ,taught to me by my parents, if I can’t afford it I work harder and save always have done and always will …
It’s a nanny state and all the time they get given everything on a plate they will go out and get a bigger plate ….
The people in genuine need are probably missing out !!!!
If you are short of money cut your fags, booze, sky television and get a second job.
There are plenty of part time jobs get of your butt and stop scrounging off the rest of us.