Your Isle of Wight update 21 March 2023

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Stay up to date on iow.gov.uk/costofliving

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21 March 2023

blue background with text All Islanders get support with the cost of living

Cost of Living support

Many Islanders are getting support from local organisations. Here are some suggestions to help you:

  1. Use our cost of living web pages to see what's available near you. You can also call us on 01983 823134. 
  2. 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. 
  3. Check out this video with 3 tips from local energy saving experts The Footprint Trust. You can contact them for free advice on 01983 822282 or via their website.
  4. Use the connect4communities website to see what other support is available in your area.
  5. The government Help for Households website has information about help with childcare costs, benefits and many other schemes. 
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Community Pantries

Join a community pantry and for £5 a week, receive over £15 worth of food. Membership is free and isn't means tested, anyone can join. 

There are currently three pantries on the Island, with more planned. The Pyle Street Pantry will open in Newport in April. 

01983 296592 East Cowes Community Pantry
07961 959003 Ventnor Community Pantry
01983 563732 Ryde Community Pantry

Get more info including opening times on the connect4communities website

blue background with text Easter activities and food scheme

Easter holidays activity and food scheme

Fantastic free activities and food for children and young people on the Island this Easter holidays.

  • Free places are available for children and young people who receive benefits-related free school meals. You can also pay for some activities if your child doesn't get free school meals.
  • Activities are for five to 16-year-olds as part of the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme. Everyone who takes part also gets a nutritious meal.
  • Places are available for children and young people on Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP), those open to social care, or with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Places are filling up fast so book today!

Get more information and find out how to book on our website

a green sunray background with a pale orange box that says 'find isle of wight' and below it a red box that says 'warm spaces'

Welcoming warm spaces

Don't feel left out in the cold this winter.
There's a network of over 40 welcoming warm spaces listed on our website and they provide something slightly different.
Here are some of the things you can find - along with staying warm and cosy on a winter's day

  • a warm welcome
  • a friendly face
  • tea, coffee and biscuits
  • free phone charging
  • support and help with other worries
  • computer access
  • crafts
  • someone to chat to
  • kid's activities
  • a hot meal
  • jigsaw puzzles and games
  • newspapers
  • free WIFI

    Discover welcoming warm spaces on the Island

pink background with the words 'Multiply From baking to bills, brush up on your everyday numeracy skills with Multiply'.

Multiply

We have lots of FREE community drop-in workshops across the Island. You can talk to a tutor about areas of maths you’re struggling with, complete a skills assessment, gain advice on career progression and work towards small unit-based qualifications.

Multiply is a government-funded programme to help adults improve their numeracy skills. You will be able to access free workshops if:

✔You are over 19

✔You do not have maths GCSE at grade 4/5 (C grade or equivalent)

✔You live on the Isle of Wight

Drop-in workshops are available at the following locations on a weekly or fortnightly basis:

  • Independent Arts Centre, 47 High Street, Newport PO30 1SE
    Every Thursday in March from 1.30pm to 3.30pm
  • Pan Together at Downside Community Centre, Furrlongs, Newport PO30 2AX
    Wednesday 22 March from 11am to 1pm.
  • Aspire Ryde, Dover Street, Ryde PO33 2BN
    Wednesday 29 March  from 2pm to 4pm
  • Better Days Café, Ventnor, 64 High Street, Ventnor PO38 1LT
    Wednesday 22 March from 2pm to 4pm

For more information contact adult community learning on multiply@iow.gov.uk or 01983 817280.


Healthier You Diabetes prevention

Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme

 The Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention programme delivered by Xyla Health and Wellbeing, provides support to reduce people's risk of Type 2 diabetes. This includes education on healthy eating and lifestyle, help to lose weight and physical exercise programmes. Together they have been proven to reduce the risk of developing the disease. Take part in the free programme: face to face, through our group-based sessions available locally, or online via a digital app. 

Type 2 diabetes can lead to serious health complications if left untreated. This risk tool can help you find out if you’re at risk of developing the condition and help you seek support from your local Healthier You programme. It could be the most important thing you do today. Visit Diabetes UK – Know Your Risk of Type 2 diabetes. 

For more information about the programme on the NHS website