Support from local councils has helped secure the future of the vital Community Connector at West Wight Sports and Community Centre.
Freshwater Parish Council have awarded West Wight Sports and Community Centre £10,000 and Totland Parish Council £5,000 to help pay for the role.
The Community Connector plays a key part in helping people in the West Wight feel less isolated, more connected and better supported.
Over the past year, Community Connector Adam Tucker worked alongside more than 230 residents of all ages, offering practical support, guidance and opportunities to engage in community life.
This funding from parish councils will help the WWSCC continue this vital work at a time when demand for support remains high.
Some of the tasks the Connector undertakes are assisting with complex benefit applications, helping people access local services or encouraging participation in activities.
Adam said:
“We are able to make a real difference to people’s day-to-day lives. Some people don’t realise we are about much more than sports sessions and gym classes and that we play a vital role in supporting our communities.
Article continues below this advertisement “We also use the role to strengthen wider initiatives, including Our Place sessions, projects tackling isolation and activities that promote health and well-being across West Wight.
“These grants ensure we can continue to provide a trusted, accessible point of support within the community, helping people feel informed, supported and connected.”
The Community Connector grants are part of a wider programme of support for the centre from West Wight local councils.
Yarmouth Town Council gave £9,000 towards the huge costs of keeping the Freshwater-based WWSCC open and Totland Parish Council separately donated £11,000 towards centre costs.
Centre manager Clare Griffin said:
“We are a charity and rely heavily on support from individuals and organisations such as our town and parish councils.
“These grants show they understand what vital work we do in keeping the West Wight community in good shape mentally and physically.
“We are very grateful to our local councils for this support. It helps us deliver real results for West Wight residents.”
Find out more about the role at https://westwight.org.uk/community-connector/.
