Community groups and projects across the Isle of Wight are being urged to apply for funding before the Isle of Wight Foundation’s latest grant window closes early next week.
Applications for grants of between £3,000 and £16,000 must be submitted by the coming Monday, 15th June, with funding available for projects focused on building stronger communities or helping people access employment and housing opportunities.
Since launching in 2014, the Isle of Wight Foundation – made up of the companies behind Island Roads – has contributed more than £900,000 to local causes and initiatives.
One organisation to benefit in recent years is the Bay Youth Project (BYP), which received £14,000 to help create a grassroots music and media project inside the renovated Sandown Town Hall in Grafton Street.
The project, known as LINK, supports young people aged between 10 and 18 through activities centred around sport and the arts.
Young people using the facilities say the project has already made a major difference.
E, aged 14, has said:
“It’s been very helpful and has allowed me to learn a new skill that I probably wouldn’t have ever done if it wasn’t for the studio and staff at LINK.
“I get excited to attend and play the bass guitar and look forward to developing my skills and showing them off to others.”
Jake, BYP Music, Multi-Media and Arts Co-ordinator, has said:
“The impact the music studio at Link has had on our local community has been incredible to witness.
“I’ve always believed that giving young people access to studio-grade equipment is vital – not just for learning skills, but for building confidence, self-belief, and opening doors to creative expression they may never have thought possible.
“It is amazing seeing the smiles on their faces when they figure something out, create something they’re proud of, or catch themselves doing something they never thought they could do.”
The Isle of Wight Foundation says it has already received a number of applications ahead of this year’s deadline but is encouraging more groups to come forward before the closing date.
IW Foundation Chairman Eddie Fellows said:
“Although we have already received some quality applications there is still time to get your applications in.”
The foundation is funded through charitable donations from Ringway Island Roads, Island Roads Services, Vinci Concessions and Meridiam as part of their community initiatives. The funding is separate from the highways services delivered by Island Roads.
More information about the Isle of Wight Foundation and how to apply can be found at www.islandroads.com/iw-foundation/
