Support with the cost of living
This winter, many people who have never had to ask for help before will need support. All Islanders can get help with the cost of living.
 Free activities and a hot meal for young people
During the Christmas holidays free activities and a hot meal are available for children and young people of families getting income-related free school meals.
Thanks to funding from the Holiday Activities and Food Programme there are schemes across the Island for young people to take part in. From wall climbing and a trip to the panto to horse riding, theatre skills, sports coaching and more – there’s something for everyone. Activities are for school children from reception up to age 16.
Some programmes offer places you can pay for if you're not eligible for a free place.
 Free car parking on 3 December
Get free off-street parking in all Isle of Wight Council long-stay car parks between 12pm and 6pm this Saturday 3 December.
To support Small Business Saturday – which aims to promote the important role small businesses play in our towns and the island economy - we are offering free car parking in our long stay car parks.
Shop local with the Wight Gift Card
Why not shop local this Christmas and treat friends and family (or yourself) to a Wight Gift card?
Enjoy the best of the Isle of Wight with the Wight Gift Card that gives you the freedom to shop at some of the Island's best restaurants, boutiques, craft shops, bars, and so much more in store and online.
When you don’t know what to buy, the Island wide gift card makes a great gift for any occasion. Cards values are entirely up to you, starting from just £5.
 What’s on at Medina Theatre this December
Discover all the festive delights that Medina Theatre has to offer this December. From Christmas with Blake, A Tennessee Country Christmas to the classic Christmas panto (as well as one just for the grown-ups!). There is something to entertain every member of the family!
To keep up to date with upcoming shows and see more from Medina Theatre, you can follow them on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok!
Multiply is a new government-funded programme that offers easy access to free numeracy courses and initiatives. The courses can help you brush up your maths skills and help you become more confident with numbers, whether you need help in managing your bills, budgeting or you want to improve your potential at work.
If you’re aged 19+ and do not already have a GCSE at grade C (or equivalent) in maths, Multiply is available to you.
Courses and workshops are now available via our Adults Community Learning Service at various locations across the Island.
 Isle of Wight winter vaccinations update
Vaccinations for COVID-19 and flu can offer protection against getting seriously ill and spreading infection to others. They save lives and help keep people out of hospital.
Catching COVID and flu at the same time increases the risk of getting seriously ill. It is important that those at greatest risk come forward for all the vaccines they need to protect themselves and those around them.
You can get your free vaccine by
- Responding to a message from your GP inviting you to get vaccinated.
- Calling 119 between 7am and 11pm daily to book an appointment or booking online (Covid-19). You may be offered appointments at the Riverside Centre, St Mary's hospital or a community pharmacy.
- Going to a walk-in clinic for the COVID-19 jab. A list of these is on this NHS website
- Popping into a pharmacy for a flu vaccine
Do you need help with booking a COVID jab? Call the Hampshire and Isle of Wight COVID-19 helpline on 0300 561 0018 (Open between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm at weekends).
The flu vaccine is offered free on the NHS to:
- all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2022
- all primary school aged children (from Reception to Year 6)
- those aged 6 months of age upwards in a clinical risk group
- pregnant women
- those aged 65 years and over
- those in long-stay residential care homes
- carers in receipt of a carer’s allowance, or who are the main carer of an older or disabled person who may be at risk if the carer gets sick
- those that live with someone who is more likely to get infections (such as someone living with HIV, has had a transplant or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis)
- frontline health or social care workers (that do not have access to occupational health)
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