Cost of Living support
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. *
Save on Summer
Our Save on Summer campaign has launched. The campaign is targeted at local families. We have produced a leaflet which I attach above. We are also running 2 competitions online. There are some great prizes to be won and the competitions include simple maths questions that have been provided Adult Community Learning’s Multiply programme.
Here is the link to the Save on Summer web content.
Please share this Facebook post.
Community Pantries are free to join for everyone
- Community pantries are free to join.
- Anyone can use them to top up their weekly shop – you don’t need to be on benefits.
- 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.
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
Newport Community Pantry
The Pyle Street Pantry, 98 Pyle Street, Newport, PO30 1UH.
Opening hours:
Wednesday 11am to 1pm
Find out more about getting hold of affordable food on our website.
Ready, Set Read! The 2023 Summer Reading Challenge has begun!
Encourage children to escape into a world of imagination this summer. Sign them up for this year’s free Summer Reading Challenge, taking place in all Island libraries.
About the challenge:
Children aged between 4 and 11 are asked to borrow and read 6 books over the summer.
As they read and record their books they collect rewards. Anyone that reads six books gets a medal and certificate.
To take part, all children need to do is visit their nearest library or community library so they can pick up the books to enjoy at home or use the council’s online reading services.
This year’s Summer Reading Challenge theme ‘Ready, Set, Read!’ has been developed in partnership with the Youth Sports Trust.
There’s a special mini-challenge for children under the age of 4
There’s a special Summer Reading Challenge website where kids can set their own goals, rate and review their books to unlock badges, play games, and enter competitions.
Island Futures – careers support for young people
Are you or do you know someone aged 16 to 18, or up to 25 (with special educational needs)?
This summer Island Futures will be on hand with careers support via a series of drop-in sessions.
The drop ins are for:
* People who have recently left school and do not have plans for education or training in September
* People who are currently not in education, employment or training
The friendly team provides a judgement free, safe environment where young people can express and explore their passions and discover their potential.
Increased Universal Credit childcare payments for working parents
The Department for Work and Pensions has raised how much parents can claim on Universal Credits for childcare.
If you want to go back to work or increase your hours, the government will help eligible parents cover the costs for the first month of childcare. Those parents will now receive up to 85% of those childcare costs back before their next month’s bills are due.
Take these two steps to help yourself to a better summer:
- Talk to your childcare provider about childcare availability.
- Book an appointment with your UC work coach to find out about all the support available to help you back to work from training to childcare.
50% off entry to Newport Roman Villa
We’ve got vouchers for 50% off entry to Newport Roman Villa to give away this summer!
Did you know Newport Roman Villa was discovered in 1926 when someone dug foundations for a garage?!
It’s a great place to take the kids this summer holiday. We’re giving away vouchers that get you 50% off entry for your family.
You can pick one up from:
- Dinosaur Isle Sandown, PO36 8QA
- The Museum of Island History, Guildhall, Newport, PO30 1TY
- Carisbrooke Castle Museum PO30 1XY
Terms and conditions:
- Offer valid until 30 September 2023
- One voucher valid for up to six tickets
- You must show the 50% off voucher to claim the discount.
- Not valid with any other offers or discounts
- We have limited supplies of vouchers. They are available on a first come first served basis.
Please share the survey and help the Island Food Strategy Group find out about food insecurity on the Island.
The Isle of Wight Council were invited to support the Island Food Strategy Group in 2022. Public Health now facilitate this partnership between public, private and voluntary organisations. Its role is to look at food insecurity issues that have worsened due to the rise in the cost of living and the longer term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We would be very grateful if you could pass this survey on to anyone who you know who is working to support Islanders with food provision.
This short survey should take under 10 minutes to complete. It aims to help us get a clearer picture of the current food provision situation on the Island. We want to identify existing gaps so we can see how they might be able to be addressed through working together.
This survey will run until Friday 15 September 2023. We very much appreciate your time and support with this.
Here is the link to the survey.
Community Organisations Cost-of-Living Fund launched
The government have launched a £76 million Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund to support communities most affected by the increased cost of living.
The fund will distribute grants to frontline services that have been impacted by increased demand and support low-income households and individuals. Eligible organisations can apply for grants of £10,000- £75,000.
To be eligible for this funding organisations must:
| offer critical services to low-income households and individuals around at least one of the following: food and emergency supplies, emergency shelter, safe spaces, warmth and financial or housing advice be able to demonstrate increased demand and increased costs for those critical services be registered with the Charity Commission or an incorporated not-for-profit company provide services to a local community in England – with a focus on small and medium organisations, although national organisations can apply where they can demonstrate local impact |
The closing date for applications is noon on 16 October.
https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/community-organisations-cost-of-living-fund
