Congratulations to all who received grants from the Isle of Wight Community Fund. Thanks to Krissy for sending through the details last month. Ed
Projects aimed at helping youngsters get back into work have received vital funding from the Isle of Wight Community Fund (IWCF).
Job club for Foyer residents
The Foyer in Ryde, which depends significantly on grant funding, has been awarded £5,000 to run a weekly job club as well as regular basic skills sessions for both residents and young people between the ages of 16-25 in the wider community.
During the last year the centre has struggled to offer a regular job club but now, with the support of an IWCF grant, the group can employ an experienced leader and continue their good work.
“This is fantastic news and a big boost to the centre” explains Maria Wilkinson from the Foyer. “The weekly job club will support youngsters in finding job opportunities and help them develop their interview and communication skills, whilst the skills sessions will cover, numeracy, literacy, personal budget planning and healthy eating on a budget.”
Drop-in sessions for excluded youngsters
The Isle of Wight Community Fund is also providing help to socially excluded youngsters supported by South Wight Housing’s IW Young Peoples Scheme.
The IWCF was impressed by the project put forward by residents from two hostels who have got together to form a new support group called GROW.
With funding from a £3,000 grant they will be able to set up weekly drop in sessions to aid those on the scheme find employment, work experience and training opportunities.
They also plan to hold regularly healthy eating sessions, and buy exercise equipment for both hostels.
Chair of the IWCF grant panel, Hamish Wilson says they hope the success of these grants will encourage other groups to apply, “We’re delighted the fund has been able to support these two very worthy projects and we’re keen to work with other groups and organisations across the Island who are developing projects to support youth employment.”
