10 local organisations have received a share of nearly £7,500 from the latest donations by charitable foundation WightAID.
WightAID works with Island companies, investors, and individuals to channel grant funding to local good causes. To date, it has channelled grants of over £600,000 to more than 180 different local organisations.
As part of the latest grant round, Tidal Family Support received the largest single donation – £3,000 for therapeutic support to children and young people. Tidal Support is a charity that provides a large range of services for separated families.
The project will use its grant to offer 144 50-minute sessions for young people across the Island providing a safe and comfortable place to meet family members that they do not live with.
Colton Clark, Contact Supervisor with Tidal Support said:
“Many of the families we support have multiple and complex needs, and many of the children have witnessed domestic abuse and or have a parent with a history of alcohol or drug misuse or poor mental health. This grant will make a real positive difference to a great many young people.”
Revive Newport was another organisation to receive a share of June’s grant round. They received £500 to help provide new uniforms for Newport Youth Café. The grant will enable their growing team to be recognised as they walk around Newport up to 4 times a week to connect with young people who have nowhere else to go and invite them to the Newport Youth Café.
A spokesperson from Revive Newport, Pete Luther said:
“We are committed to enhancing the lives of members in the community through our wide range of activities and events. Over the years, we have been recognised as 1 of the leading community centres and go the extra mile to make sure our members are happy with our services.
“We are very grateful to WightAid for their support as it will help us engage with more people.”
Other groups to benefit from the June grant round are:
Citizens Advise IW – £500
Funding helped them to buy a branded Gazebo.
IOW Street Pastors – £500
Funding helped them to purchase new mobile phones, so they can stay connected with Door Staff and Police while out on patrol.
Newport Carnival and Community Events association – £500
Funding towards materials for the Christmas Lantern Parade and Tutors for the after-school workshop.
Sensory Space CIC – £500
Funding helped them to replace worn out sensory toys.
The Birth Hub – £480
Funding will go towards the venue hire for their new weekly community support groups at the Salvation Army in Newport.
YMCA Young Carers – £500
Funding enables them to take 25 young carers to the annual Carers Festival, for a much-needed respite and weekend full of fun.
Apollo Youth Theatre – £500
Funding meant that they could take 25 members to Forest and Beach School. These members will be staging their own take on Peter Pan in August.
Brighstone Preschool – £500
Funding will go towards new fencing for their growing gardens.
Geoff Underwood, Founder of WightAID said:
“We hope this latest round of grants will make a very positive difference to a wide range of good causes and it is particularly pleasing to see much of this money going to projects that support our young people.
“We’re delighted to have now donated over £600,000 to Island Community groups and charities. We couldn’t do this without the support of Island businesses, investors and individuals who make this all possible by being as passionate as we are about helping the Island community.”
