By Carole Dennett
The new Chairman of the IW Council’s Adult Social Care Committee, Cllr James Whelan, and Laura Gaudion, the Council’s Director of Adult Social Care, paid a visit to local charity OSEL last week, to learn more about the organisation’s work supporting adults with physical and learning disabilities, autism, and mental health conditions. They were welcomed by CEO, Tracey Hill, who showed them around the charity’s Newport base, and introduced them to staff and clients across its programmes.
The visit began at Wight Crystal, OSEL’s trading arm, where James and Laura joined in by helping to pack glass water bottles ready for distribution to hotels and restaurants across the Island. The enterprise generates income that is reinvested directly into OSEL’s support services, and the visitors were keen to see how commercial activity and social support work hand‑in‑hand. Tracey explained how Wight Crystal provides client employment opportunities, builds confidence, and teaches practical skills, forming an important part of OSEL’s mission to help people live more independently.
They then visited a lively music session run by The Way Forward programme, where James was quickly persuaded by clients to get up and dance. The programme offers a wide range of activities designed to help people develop essential life skills in a safe and supportive environment. The clients were eager to share their love of music, and show their visitors projects they had been working on.
Speaking after the visit, James said it had been “a fantastic opportunity to see first‑hand what can be achieved when local people are empowered to solve local challenges.” He praised OSEL as “an exceptionally well‑run charity, making outstanding use of its expertise and resources to create meaningful opportunities for adults with additional needs.
“It is not simply waiting for more public funding. It is using enterprise, entrepreneurship, and innovation to generate income, maximise its assets, and reinvest every opportunity back into supporting our community.” He added that the organisation “provides far more than a service. It offers a safe, supportive environment where people can flourish, build confidence, develop independence, and learn essential life skills”.
The councillor also highlighted the importance of OSEL’s apprenticeship programme, which gives young people the chance to gain recognised qualifications and practical experience. “By investing in the next generation of care professionals, the charity is helping to build a skilled local workforce for the future,” he said. He noted that OSEL’s blend of compassion, enterprise, and innovation “delivers better value for taxpayers, while creating better outcomes for the people who rely on these services”.
Tracey said she was pleased to welcome the visitors and explain how the charity operates and plans for the future. “The exceptional services we provide are thanks to all the dedicated staff and volunteers,” she added.
OSEL (an acronym for Outstanding Support, Education & Learning) supports customers across the Island, and continues to expand its programmes to meet growing need. It has recently opened a fully-accessible respite service, which can be used by anyone who needs short‑term support, giving families and carers vital peace of mind, while offering residents a safe, welcoming place to stay.
To find out more about OSEL’s work call 01983 520128, or email enquiries@oseliow.org.uk.
