Community and voluntary groups, as well as town, parish and community councils helping residents who are in food and energy poverty have another opportunity to apply for financial support.
In total £500,000 has been made available through the Isle of Wight council’s connect4communities cost-of-living programme until March 2024, for Island projects providing food and utility bill support.
Andre: It’s vital we support them as much as we can
Councillor Debbie Andre, Cabinet member for children’s services, said,
“We are looking for innovative and sustainable new ideas and proposals from all corners of the Island.
“The work of community groups, voluntary organisations and town, parish and community councils help to make our communities an even better place to live, so it’s vital we support them as much as we can.
“These groups work tirelessly to help improve the health and well-being of our residents, so I would encourage groups who haven’t applied yet for this money to get their applications to us by 29th September 2023.”
Supporting a wide range of projects
More than 96 awards have been received by community organisations, local councils and education settings from the Department for Work and Pension’s (DWP) Household Support Fund since its inception in October 2021, supporting a wide range of projects.
The support provided exceeds £1.2 million.
Funding has been awarded to organisations such as Aspire Ryde to run schemes including making your own baby food, a warm clothes take one, leave one initiative and a shop and drop service, among others.
In-house fire for vulnerable residents
Meanwhile, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service received a grant to provide in-house fire checks to vulnerable residents over the winter period, while providing them with a winter warm pack including items such as draught excluders, blankets and extension leads to ensure socket overloads can be avoided.
Andre: Please read the guidance carefully
Councillor Andre added,
“Applications received by the closing date of 29th September are for project delivery up until 31st March 2024.
“There will be another funding round from 22nd January to 9th February 2024 and we will be seeking further applications in due course.
“Please read the guidance carefully, especially if you have had funding before, as we have updated it recently with the revised criteria from the DWP.”
Find out more
Organisations wishing to find out more should go to the connect4communities website or contact the connect4communities team at [email protected]
For further information about additional support available on the Island, visit the council’s cost of living website pages.
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
