Grants of up to £3,000 are now available to help organisations deliver initiatives that support families, children and young people living on the Isle of Wight.
The Early Help Community Capacity Building Grant is available to local groups, clubs and enterprises through the Isle of Wight Council’s Supporting Families Programme.
The funding is 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 opens today (Wednesday) and organisations are encouraged to apply by 28th November 2022.
One recipient of the grant earlier this year was The Crossley Company which support children and young people’s social, emotional and mental well-being.
Steve Johnson, from Aspire Ryde, which also received grant support over the summer, said:
“The funding really made a difference to people in our community.
“We’ve had lots of positive feedback, with one person telling us that because of the confidence they gained taking part in our WoW project, they’ve been able to get back into work.
Article continues below this advertisement “It really helped with their anxiety, helped them to grow, and they now have a full-time job, which is fantastic news.”
Councillor Debbie Andre, Cabinet member for children’s services, education and skills, said:
“The support to a variety of Island communities that we’ve been able to provide through our previous grants to local groups has been life-changing for some.
“They’ve 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’d like to thank all those groups who’ve worked with us through this grant already and hope even more will get involved through this new funding.
“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: https://www.iow.gov.uk/Residents/Care-Support-and-Housing/Childrens-Services/Early-Help-Providers/Early-Help-Capacity-Building-Grant
