(Page Updated 22/03/2024)
South – (Brading, Sandown, Shanklin, Ventnor, Godshill, Chale, Brighstone)
Brading Community Partnership (HAF)
A range of activities, such as: sports; crafts; day trips; swimming and cooking.
Activities have an emphasis on healthy fun, healthy eating, friendships and teamwork.
This activity is for school years 1 to 11.
High Street, Brading, Sandown, Isle of Wight, PO36 0DH
WhatsApp or text 07423 425948
CMSports UK (HAF)
Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm
Have a great time and make friends in a safe, fun enviroment. Activities include sports, games and team building.
This activity is for school years 1 to 9.
Winchester Park Road, Sandown, Isle of Wight, PO36 9BA
02392 987881
The Football Fun Factory (HAF)
Monday to Thursday, 9:00 am to 3:30 pm
Take part in our range of fun and exciting experiences all with a football theme, including inflatables, alongside the more traditional football activities.
This activity is for school years 1 to 9.
The Fairway, Sandown, Isle of Wight, PO36 9JH
Globe Fit (HAF)
Monday to Thursday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
Make friends, experience hours of fun and create memories that will last a lifetime. This activity is for school years 1 to 6.
Newport Road, Ventnor, Isle of Wight, PO38 1BQ
03301 335981
Scallywags Fun Club (HAF)
A fun packed day with different activities to choose from.
Isle of Wight
07977 709088
Theatre Educational (HAF)
Monday to Thursday, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Specialist educational theatre, helping children rehearse and perform roles that culminates in a showcase to families.
This activity is for school years 1 to 11.
Station Road, Wroxall, Ventnor, Isle of Wight, PO38 3DP
Age UK – Good Neighbour Scheme –
Available only to socially isolated residents over 50. Volunteer service, providing:
• Befriending in person
• Befriending by phone
Age UK - Information and Advice -
As Age UK, our target beneficiaries are anyone aged 50+.We provide information and advice on:
• Benefits
• Consumer
• Community/Residential Care
• Employment/Volunteering
• Health Services
• Housing
• Legal
• Local Facilities (inc. Leisure and Social)
• Other Money
• Travel
Age UK - Welfare Benefits Service -
At Age UK, our target beneficiaries are anyone aged50+. Depending on capacity, we have been able to support clients with applying for certain benefits, by helping them to complete the application forms. Due to funding changes, we are not able to support the same number of clients as we were prior to April 2022, so we are signposting or referring clients to other organisations that can support them.
We support clients to apply for:
• Attendance Allowance (Higher and Lower rates)
• Blue Badges
• Carer’s Allowance
• Council Tax Support
• Food Bank Vouchers
• PIP
• One-off Grants
Our success rate for Attendance allowance applications is 87% (average from last 3 years).
Contact Information:
Maria Bunce
Chief Operating Officer
Isle of Wight Age UK
maria.bunce@ageukiw.org.uk
01983 525282
Baby Box Isle of Wight –
A local community project & charity, helping Island families in need - providing nappies, baby food, clothing and other essentials -based at the former Ventnor Youth & Community Centre in Victoria Street. The project provides support and helps to families across the Isle of Wight. Please call
07850 263477 or message us on Facebook . We do not require a voucher or referral.
Contact Information:
Tony McCarthy
Ventnor Town Council
tony@ventnortowncouncil.org.uk
Barnardo’s IOW Family Centres (commissioned by IOW Council) –
Offer support and guidance to parents of children0-19 and will include information and advice and signposting to other services as part of the Supporting Families programme
Workers can support with funding applications and apply for grants if case holding
Parents are given general information and links to other agencies' information as a result of accessing parenting courses or groups or contacting the centers directly
www.isleofwightfamilycentres.org.uk
Contact Information:
Claire Steen
Barnardos
claire.steen@barnardos.org.uk
Breakfast in the Bay -
Supply of Breakfast Cereals and other food stuff etc to the Bay School, Broadlea Primary, Gatten & Lake, St Blasius and StFrancis Schools for children of vulnerable families, during term time and holiday periods. Distribution /usage is left to the schools discretion as to recipients to avoid safeguarding issues etc.
Contact Information:
Alan Jones
breakfastinthebayiow@gmail.com
Chale Parish Council –
Provision of food, household and personal hygiene goods to families and individuals within the Parish.
Contact Information:
Mikki Bailey
Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer to Chale Parish Council
chaleparishcouncil@gmail.com
Citizens Advice IW –
The Money Advice team can help you to take control of your finances and provide you with solutions for dealing with your priority and non-priority debts. We offer a wide range of advice on a variety of different types of debts and provide you with help and solutions on how to deal with your creditors and how to manage your finances going forward.
Contact Information:
Money Advice Unit
For more information or to book an appointment, please call
01983 823898 ext: 2825
debtenquiries@iwcab.org.uk
Citizens Advice IW –
Help Through Crisis (HTC) aims to assist island residents who are in genuine hardship, enabling them to quickly access help in an emergency. There is a fund to provide immediate emergency help with food, gas and electricity. This can only be offered to those in the most need and as a last resort
Household Support Fund–
5 x community pantries across the Island providing food at a lower cost to families in need.
Any Island resident over the age of 18 can apply to become a community pantry member, and you do not need to apply to your closest one (although the rise in fuel costs may make this preferable). You can visit the pantry a maximum of once per week, pay a contribution of £5, and receive in excess of £15 worth of food, which can be fresh, frozen or general foods.
Contact Information:
Laura Hales
Household Support Fund Project Manager
Isle of Wight Council
hsf@iow.gov.uk
01983 821000
Free food in Sandown and the Isle of Wight –
We operate a free food shelf for any person who has financial difficulty. It applies to all ages, singles and families. We help approx 100-150people weekly.
Contact Information:
Phone: 07849 714689
Email: freefooddiddi29@gmail.com
Free food in Sandown
Frontline -
Managing debts* (we will negotiate with creditors on your behalf, or – if appropriate –support with Debt Relief Orders or Bankruptcies
(*including council tax debts)
• Assisting with benefit applications, Mandatory Reconsiderations and Appeals.• We also help with budgeting advice.
Contact Information:
Frontline
adviser@frontlineiow.org
01983 291552
Hampshire & Isle Of Wight Fire and Rescue –
Safe&Well (home fire safety visit) which we currently deliver to those in our communities with the following vulnerabilities who are more at risk of harm from fire:
• Cognitive impairments – which would mean a person might not understand what to do in the event of a fire
• Mobility impairments – meaning a person’s ability to escape from a property in an emergency would be hindered
• Signs of carelessness with smoking materials – burn marks evident within the property
• Substance misuse – which may impair a person’s ability to exit a property in an emergency
• Hoarding or high levels of clutter – this can obstruct a person’s ability to exit a property as well as provide high levels of fuel to feed a fire
• Returning home from the hospital and there are fire concerns in the home,e.g. burn marks on bedding, furniture, or carpets. Electrical faults, unsafe practices with cooking and heating the home, the occupier smokes and there are no fire alarms installed in the home
We will discuss and supply free of charge (where we identify risk) smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors (the likelihood that people will prioritise other things over boiler servicing/chimney sweeping), oil heaters if there are no other means of heating a property, winter warm packs (blanket, flask,gloves etc), extension leads if unsafe overloading is identified and fire-retardant bedding where we identify unsafe smoking practices.
Contact Information:
Gina Gray
Station Manager
Community Safety Response
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service
gina.gray@hantsfire.gov.uk
07584704529
Healthwatch Isle of Wight –
Healthwatch Isle of Wight is an independent consumer champion that delivers statutory services. They provide information, advice and signposting for all health, well-being and social care services.
Contact Information:
Joanna Smith
Healthwatch Manager
Healthwatch Isle of Wight
Joanna.smith@healthwatchisleofwight.co.uk
01983 210461
Healthy Lifestyles Isle of Wight –
Shop smart
Ask a member of staff at your supermarket for fresh food reduction times and try to shop then for reduced-priced items. Avoid purchasing more than you need or can store. Use within the specified date or freeze for later
Buy supermarket own/value ranges – whilst the cost of these has gone up too, they are often still more affordable than branded products
Canned and frozen fruits and vegetables are just as healthy as fresh varieties and can often be cheaper. Try and choose fruit and veg that’s in water instead of oil or syrup
Cheaper protein sources can also be purchased tinned or frozen; lentils, chickpeas, and beans – these are high in fiber so great for keeping you fuller for longer
Fish is often much cheaper when choosing frozen or canned varieties. Try to choose options that are not covered in batter or breadcrumbs
Plan your meals in advance
Check whether loose vegetables and fruits are cheaper, packaged fruits and vegetables are often a little more expensive
We are very pleased to be able to offer CPDaccredited Very Brief Advice (VBA) Stop Smoking Training online, via MicrosoftTeams. VBA encourages those who come into contact with smokers to confidently ask smoking status, advise on support available locally and act by referral to the Healthy Lifestyle Isle of Wight service
Guidance from the Department of Health has identified that the systematic delivery of very brief advice (VBA) and referral of smokers to effective,evidence-based stop-smoking services are a vital part of ensuring that these individuals access the most effective method of stopping smoking.
Quit for Cash
Do you know how much your smoking habit is costing you?
Our service offers free stop-smoking medications and vape vouchers for those living on the Isle of Wight.
The average 15-a-day smoker spends:
Pack of cigarettes = £12 (weekly £68.25)
30g Rolling Tobacco (35 Rollies) = £16 (weekly £48)
Contact Information:
Heather Clayton
Deputy manager
Solutions 4 Health
Heather.Clayton@solutions4health.co.uk
07788 205 229
Help Through Crisis (HTC) -
Help Through Crisis (HTC) aims to assist island residents who are in genuine hardship, enabling them to quickly access help in an emergency. There is a fund to provide immediate emergency help with food, gas and electricity. This can only be offered to those in the most need and as a last resort
Home-Start IOW –
Practical help and emotional support for families with at least one child under 5
Staff and volunteers provide weekly home visiting support helping parents feel less overwhelmed, provide guidance on re-budgeting, routines, and support to navigate housing and debt services, we provide foodbank vouchers for families in need and have a small supply of supermarket vouchers to help. We have a supply of baby and children's clothes which we give to families
Contact Information:
Alison Griffiths
Scheme Manager
Home-Start IOW
Exchange House
St Cross Lane
Newport
Isle of Wight
PO30 5BZ
alison.griffiths@homestartiow.org
07541042173/01983 533357
Isle of Wight Council Benefits team –
Housing Benefit and Local Council Tax Support applications for assistance with rent and council tax, Discretionary HousingPayments and Exceptional Hardship Fund applications for assistance with shortfall between rent or council tax liability and benefit
Contact Information:
Housing Benefit & Local Council Tax Support
01983 823950
Isle of Wight Council Revenues team –
Discounts, Disregards, Exemptions applications to reduce council tax liability, Council Tax Discretionary Reduction applications for assistance with council tax when in financial hardship, applications for payment arrangements on outstanding debt
Contact Information:
Council Tax
council.tax@iow.gov.uk
01983 823901
Isorropia –
we’re a mental well-being organisation that works with adults to support them in gaining awareness of their mental well-being and associated needs, and ultimately empower individuals to reconnect with meaning and purpose in their lives. We do this via group work, and I’m pleased to say that we’re self-referral so anyone can access us directly by calling us at 01983 217791.
Contact Information:
Charlie Stevens
Deputy Lead
Isorropia Foundation
charlie.stevens@nhs.net
01983 217791
Living Well & Early Help –
This service receives around 40 NEW requests a week for various support. This is in addition to ongoing cases where we try to support people with a variety of needs, many compounded by financial debt. Some cases are complex where an enquirer needs support in a variety of areas. From Debt, arrears, no food, no money to replace broken white goods, and limited or no money to pay bills.
Living conditions across the island seem to be affected as there are many cases of hoarding, clutter and poor living environments.
Areas of growing need
Transport = Lack of affordable Transport to Medical/hospital appointments
Housing needs = people being served notice, eviction notices, or want to move but are restricted due to lack of availability lack of funds and arrears
Care needs = people wanting to stay at home who struggle to manage or stay safe in the home but are not eligible for financial support
MH = Many more inquiries are sent to us with risks, MH concerns, Abuse, alcohol & substance dependencies
Support = More enquires where persons with needs are requesting daily support to manage their days but have no funds to do this .
Contact Information:
Shirley Bradshaw
Living Well and Early Help Team Manager
shirley@LWEH.org.uk
07944 031806
01983 240732
Living Well & Early Help Team – South
Food parcels
Access to coffee mornings & community groups with low-cost food
Community Fridge
Signposting to Baby box, Coffee mornings, charities and free activities/clubs .All help with costs but also reduce isolation, loneliness
Housing advice re Notice, terminations, rent arrears, housing benefits along with other accommodation options & signposting to qualified housing supportif eviction is imminent
High percentage of the user group access multiple support options for Housing/Advice/debt/benefits/isolation/community
Help with utilities/white goods and more
Contact Information:
Shirley Bradshaw
Living Well and Early Help Team Manager
shirley@LWEH.org.uk
07944 031806
01983 240732
Network –
Ventnor’s independent Job Club offers free internet access
• Employment advice
• Help with/improve IT skills
• Help with writing and/or updating CVs
• Interview coaching
Based at Ventnor Library in the High Street every Thursday morning from 9.00 am to 11.00 am.
Contact Information:
Tony McCarthy
Ventnor Town Counc
tony@ventnortowncouncil.org.uk
The Footprint Trust–
The relief of fuel poverty through practical tailored guidance.
Information on grants and tariffs relating to utilities and energy and water efficiency.
Grants can be available for new white goods and other measures, including boilers and insulation. These are usually available for those on a very low income or in receipt of certain benefits or allowances. (Grant rules change all the time!)
Any household struggling or concerned about energy or water costs can contact us.
Referrals can be from any organisation or directly from the client.
Just email or ring us.
Contact Information:
Ray Harrington-Vail
The Footprint Trust
rayhv@footprint-trust.co.uk
01983 822282
The Green Room -
Ventnor Town Council’s Community Centre – providing a space for the Well-being Café, Mountbatten Hospice Volunteers, Citizen’sAdvice appointments, RNID Hearing Aid support, the National Autistic Society, RCS Employability, NHS Smoke Stop & Healthy Lifestyles, Ventnor Felting Group and Ventnor Artist’s Collective workshops. Free room hire for community groups and the voluntary sector.
Contact Information:
Tony McCarthy
Ventnor Town Council
tony@ventnortowncouncil.org.uk
Tidal Family Support –
The center provides food parcels and toiletries to individuals and families who are in need, but not necessarily accessing additional provisions or support. The food given out is from the Isle of Wight Foodbank. It’s a walk-in,self-referral service, and no need for vouchers. They do not have to prove they are on benefits.
We offer support advice and guidance and practical support to parents. The core team is qualified Citizens Advice first aiders and signpost individuals to the appropriate agency to meet their needs.
We will be delivering the BBC Children In Need Money Heroes project to develop families ’financial capabilities. This will be direct work with children and young people or supporting parents to support their children with understanding finances.
We have recently applied for funding from the IOW council to run a twelve-month project that targets families who have been affected by the Covid19 pandemic and not currently accessing any community resources. We anticipate a percentage of families we will support if our application is successful will be directly living in poverty. Therefore, we will be able to offer advice, and guidance to mitigate poverty impact.
Contact Information:
Melanie Lewis
Centre Manager
Tidal Family Support
melanie.lewis@tidalfamilysupport.org.uk
01983 639793
Ventnor Town Council- Voucher Scheme –
In partnership with Ventnor Co-op, the Town Council has been able to provide several tranches of vouchers to families and individuals experiencing poverty. The vouchers can be used for groceries or fuel meter top-ups. We usually issue vouchers of £25 per single-person household, £50 for a couple, and multiples of £25 for families. Our partners at Ventnor Community Foodbank, Baby Box Isle of Wight, Ventnor Early Years, help to identify those that need help from the scheme.
Contact Information:
Tony McCarthy
Ventnor Town Council
tony@ventnortowncouncil.org.uk
Ventnor Community Foodbank –
An independent Community Foodbank was established in July 2019. Since it was set up, it has fed over 1000 people. The Foodbank is managed and run by its volunteers and depends on local donations and the support of the Ventnor Community. No voucher or referral is needed. We are based at Baby Box, Victoria Street, Ventnor, PO38 1ET. and open on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10.00 am and 12.00 noon. Call 07862 247694.
Contact Information:
Tony McCarthy
Ventnor Town Council
tony@ventnortowncouncil.org.uk
Ventnor Community Pantry –
Join our new community food pantry scheme in Ventnor and enjoy a range of food to keep your kitchen stocked up.
Access to the community pantry is through membership, and for £5 a week, members receive over £15 worth of fresh, frozen, tinned and dry food.
The Ventnor Community Pantry can be found at:
Baby Box, Victoria Street, Ventnor, PO38 1EJ
The pantry is open on:
Tuesdays 3pm to 6pm and Saturdays – 11am to 2pm.
Email contact for the pantry is vcpantryiow@gmail.com
For more information, you can contact the community pantry by phone on:
07961 959003
Ventnor Community Shed –
Established in 2015 as a Men’s Shed, VentnorCommunity Shed is now open to all– the group has a membership of around 50. It provides a safe space for arts, crafts, woodworking and gardening in its workshop and garden at St. Boniface Field. It has undertaken lots of projects for the community in Ventnor. The Shed is open on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Please call 077916378 for more information.
Contact Information:
Tony McCarthy
Ventnor Town Council
tony@ventnortowncouncil.org.uk
Ventnor Well-being Café –
The Green Room, Salisbury Gardens. Every Monday and Wednesday morning from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm
Friday Lunch-time – 12.00 noon to 3.00 pm
This group meets three times a week and provides a safe space for people with anxiety, are socially isolated or have mental health problems. Our group is run by a Co-ordinator, employed by Ventnor Town Council. Our 45 members decide on the activities – we have an allotment, we do craft activities, putting and outdoor activities, arrange trips and on Friday our members prepare lunch. The Café is a self-help group and does not require a formal referral.
Contact Information:
Tony McCarthy
Ventnor Town Council
tony@ventnortowncouncil.org.uk
