The Isle of Wight Council has declared grants of up to £23,000 are now available to help organisations deliver community initiatives.
The Early Help Community Capacity Building Grant is available to local groups, clubs and enterprises through the Isle of Wight Council’s Strengthening Families Programme.
Grants vary from £3,000 to £20,000 with the funding intended to help providers organise activities, clubs, or groups for families, parents/carers and/or young people up to the age of 19 (up to 25 with specified additional needs).
Grants could be used to set up and run schemes such as parental, baby or toddler groups, teenage groups, family-based groups, mental health and welcoming sessions/hubs, peer support groups, outreach support and community-led groups and activities.
The grant application opened on Wednesday and organisations are encouraged to apply by 27th June 2022.
Lizzie Boynton, of Forever Wild at Heart, based in Ryde, is able to offer discounted ‘Baby Wild’ sessions to new and expectant parents experiencing financial difficulties, thanks to funding from the scheme with the the sessions focusing on parent wellbeing, from bump to baby, using techniques like mindfulness and nature art.
Speaking about her grant funding, Lizzie said:
“This makes such a big difference to my service as it reduces any financial barriers that may be stopping people from accessing and benefiting from these well-being sessions.
Article continues below this advertisement “I would say to anyone thinking of applying for a grant to just go for it! The process is very straightforward and I found the Isle of Wight Council team to be very supportive.”
Other previous grant recipients include Independent Arts, Wight Eagles FC, Natural Therapy CIC, Niton Pre-school Early Help Hub, Starling Songwriters and Rainbow Island.
Councillor Debbie Andre, Cabinet member for children’s services, education and skills, said:
“Our previous grants have already helped to provide a great range of activities for Island families, including art groups, and mental health hubs.
“This funding will help to provide even more activities to support Island families. I’m grateful to those providers who have already applied for funding and would encourage new providers to come forward so that we can reach as many of our children and young people as possible Island-wide.
“We know that effective early help plays a key role in ensuring positive outcomes for local children and families and we want to ensure there are long-term sustainable provisions in place that are community led and available for all families on the Island, especially those in deprived or disadvantaged areas.”
More information on the Early Help Community Capacity Building Grant is available on the council’s website.
