As part of Southern Water’s ongoing activities to support communities, they have awarded 5 £10,000 grants to regional charities working to support improved outcomes for young people, 1 of which is here on the Isle of Wight.
The grant has been awarded to The Waterside Community Trust, which provides recreational and leisure facilities for the residents of Ryde and its surrounding area. The charity aims to be of benefit to all members of society whatever their age, infirmity, disablement, social or economic circumstances as well as the public at large in the interest of social welfare and the improvement of life for the local population.
The charity plays an essential role in drowning prevention across the Island with the formation of Ryde Beach Lifeguards, a beach safety service operating in Ryde and Sandown during the summer months, as well as delivering essential drowning prevention initiatives including Safe Safe, Rookie Lifesaving, School Talks, Community CPR Training, professional lifesaving training and much more.
Waterside Community Trust provides swimming lessons to over 1,000 children per week, as well as providing volunteer opportunities as well as paid roles to over 50 members of staff, with over 300 employees since the charity’s formation.
A spokesperson for Waterside Community Trust said:
“Southern Water have been a great support to our projects, without their support we wouldn’t be able to run them, such as our Sea Safe program which enables us to teach 1,000 local children drowning prevention skills and knowledge to reduce drownings, especially poignant after the four boys who tragically drowned in a lake this December.
The funding will enable us to continue these programs, along with supporting our Beach Lifeguards who operate in Ryde and Sandown on the Isle of Wight. We cannot thank Southern Water enough for their support.”
Southern Water’s Community Partnerships and Programme Manager, Alex Willumsen said:
“Our on-going Community Grant programme recognises the importance of providing support for young people in our region and the ripple effect that may have for communities. Through new partnerships over the following 18 months we hope to support and learn alongside our charity partners and support the incredible work they do with this age group.”
And my water bill is projected to go up by how much this year???
You miserable old trout.