By Isle of Wight Observer
The final six good causes selected to receive funding from the Isle of Wight Foundation this year have been announced.
The six projects will receive more than £40,000, bringing the total allocated to good causes this year to more than £90,000.
The charity – which is jointly funded by Ringway Island Roads, Meridiam, VINCI Concessions and Island Roads Services, the companies which make up the partnership behind Island Roads – is keen to support projects on the Island that help to tackle social isolation and assist people into education, training and employment.
Chair of the Isle of Wight Foundation Philip Horton said: “To date we have donated more than £400,000 to good causes on the Isle of Wight – and this year we have allocated the highest amount to date, giving just over £90,000 to 12 very worthwhile projects on the Island. We are very proud to be able to support so many projects which are making a real difference on the Isle of Wight.”
The Way Forward, a learning disability centre based in Newport is one of the organisations to benefit from the Foundation’s support. Chief Executive Officer, Tracey Hill, said: “Way Forward is very excited to be receiving new accessible front doors from the Isle of Wight Foundation, the new doors will allow our wheelchair customers to enter our Learning Disability Day Centre easily and independently, with push button entry and automatic closure.
“The doors will be the latest addition to our fabulous day centre in Newport and we are very grateful for the continued support we have received from the Foundation. The Isle of Wight Foundation is making a big difference to people living on the Isle of Wight every day, thank you.”
The remaining six projects to receive funding are:
The Way Forward Programme – £5,500 to purchase an accessible front door that disabled users, particularly wheelchair users can use to access the support services of the charity. These services build confidence and skills to enable users to live as independently as possible.
Isle Access – £16,000 to purchase accessible cycling equipment for those with disabilities who are unable to use unadapted bicycles. Their aim is to establish a permanent and inclusive accessible cycling facility on the Island to tackle inclusivity issues for the disabled.
Waterside Community Trust – £5,000 to purchase a new poolside hoist to enable disabled swimmers full access to the pool. This hoist would transport swimmers from the changing room to the pool.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wild Life Trust – £8,000 to fund training for four Woodland apprentices for a year. This provides the opportunity for young people to learn new skills and gain experience in Environmental Conservation. This is a sector where skills are much needed on the Isle of Wight.
The Phoenix Project – £4,915.75 to replace existing sensory room equipment which is no longer working properly. The new equipment will allow them to provide a safe, calming environment for service users to relax and better cope with the everyday life challenges they face. The Sensory Room experience helps tackle social exclusion by promoting communication and positive behaviours which may not be possible in different environments.
The Common Space – funding of nearly £4,200 will enable the project to purchase a “MicroEye” a specialist piece microscope which will be used at free nature and science events to view all sorts of weird and wonderful wildlife. This scientific and education piece of equipment will be used by children and adults alike at various events across the Island. The equipment will be used at events developed to assist socially excluded individuals.
These groups are in addition to the six projects announced before Christmas, which were: First Act 2011, Wight Community Access, RAF 1024 Squadron Air training Corps, Brading Community Partnership, Care in the Garden and The Common Space.
More information about the Isle of Wight Foundation and the good causes it can support can be found at the IW Foundation page at www.islandroads.com
Picture shows the cheque being presented by Philip Horton (left) to the Way Forward with Tracey Hill (right).
Island Roads, made up of VINCI Concessions, Meridiam Infrastructure and Ringway, is working in partnership with the Isle of Wight Council to deliver the highways maintenance service. Island Roads began from 1 April 2013.
