The Isle of Wight Festival
The Isle of Wight Festival starts this Thursday 15 June.
Fairlee Road will be closed to northbound traffic from around lunchtime on Wednesday 14 June.
Please plan your route carefully to avoid the designated festival traffic routes Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Monday of the event when traffic volumes will be at their highest.
Get more traffic plan info and about changes to our services due to the festival
Cost of living information
Use our cost of living web pages to see what’s available near you. You can also call us on 01983 823134.
Contact Citizens Advice Isle of Wight on 0800 144 88 48 or enquiries@iwcab.org.uk. Their advice is free, confidential and independent. They can help with debt, benefits, legal advice and much more.
Contact The Footprint Trust for free advice or call them 01983 822282.
Use the connect4communities website to see what other support is available in your area.
The government Help for Households website has information about help with childcare costs, benefits and many other schemes.
Please share this Facebook post.
The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme summer 2023
Free places are available for children who get benefits-related free school meals. Some places are also available for other vulnerable families. The scheme offers a wide variety of activities and a free nutritious meal every day.
Go to our new Family Information Hub for more information and how to book.
Please share this HAF Facebook post.
It’s Loneliness Awareness Week 12 to 16 June
Feeling lonely is something that all of us can experience at any point in our lives, which can have negative impacts on our health and wellbeing.
There are lots of simple actions that you can do to help others who may be feeling lonely, including:
- Giving a friend or family member a call
- Inviting someone for a walk
- Reaching out to those you haven’t heard from for a cuppa
- You might find that reaching out to someone else could help you to feel less lonely too.
Find out how you can help someone this Loneliness Awareness Week
Applications are open for Community Capacity Grants
2023 Grant Funding is available for NEW Early Help provisions on the Isle of Wight.
The grants are for up to £3,000. They are for helping organisations deliver initiatives that support local families by working with the community to help develop and promote community resources, spaces, and activities.
The grant is available to local groups, clubs and enterprises through our Supporting Families programme. It will help new or existing providers organise activities, clubs or groups for families and young people up to the age of 19 (up to 25 with specified additional needs) and/or families, parents and carers.
If you know anyone interested in applying, our team are offering some lunch and learn sessions.
Find out more about the grants and how to apply on our website
Pension Credit Week of Action 12 to 16 June
Pension Credit gives people extra money to help with their living costs if they are over State Pension age and on a low income.
Once you start getting Pension Credit you can also get access to other benefits like:
- help with housing costs
- council tax
- heating bills
- a free TV licence (if you’re aged 75 or over)
Even if you own your own home, have saving or get a small occupational pension you may be eligible for Pension Credit. Almost half of the people who currently receive Pension Credit own their own homes.
It is easy to claim.
Just make a simple, free phone call to 0800 99 1234, claim online or fill out a paper claim form. If you’re not sure how to fill out the forms, you can ask a friend or family member to do it on your behalf.
Get more information about Pension Credit and apply online
Please share this Facebook post and Tweet.
Prepayment meter customers can claim up to £400. Claims must be made by 30 June
Do you pay for your electricity on a traditional prepayment meter? Don’t forget to redeem your energy bills support vouchers at a Post Office or Pay Point by 30 June.
Check your post, texts, email and spam for your vouchers – electricity suppliers can reissue lost or expired vouchers.
Get more info on the government website
Community Pantries
- Community pantries are free and for anyone so they can top up their weekly shop.
- Join a pantry and for £5 a week, receive over £15 worth of food.
- You don’t need a referral, contact your nearest pantry directly to join.
Newport Community Pantry
The Pyle Street Pantry, 98 Pyle Street, Newport, PO30 1UH.
pylestpantry@gmail.com
Opening hours:
Wednesday 11am to 1pm
Friday 5 to 7pm from 16 June
East Cowes Community Pantry
Community Spirited, Vectis Road, East Cowes, PO32 6HN
01983 296592
Opening hours:
Tuesday, 1:30pm to 3:30pm
Wednesday and Thursday, 10:30am to 12:30pm
Ventnor Community Pantry
Baby Box, Victoria Street, Ventnor, PO38 1EJ
07961 959003
Opening hours:
Tuesday 3pm to 6pm
Saturday 11am to 2pm
Ryde Community Pantry
Oakfield CE Primary School, Appley Road, Ryde, PO33 1NE
01983 563732
Opening hours:
Monday, Wednesday and Friday
3.00pm to 4.30pm
Other locations also have free or low cost food provision – get more info about community pantries and accessing healthy food on our website
Rural Life display at the Museum of Island History
A new exhibition created by our Heritage Service with assistance from young volunteers is on display.
The display includes newly discovered photographs from Sandown photographer James Dore. These were donated in 2021 and include some new scenes that our Heritage Service would like help identifying. The display is in the front of the museum. You can view it for free on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10am to 1pm, until September.
Find out more in our news article.
The Museum of Island History, The Guildhall, High Street, Newport, PO30 1TY
01983 823433
museums@iow.gov.uk
