Christmas has come early for four Isle of Wight community centres after they received a share of Southern Water's £30,000 regional Community Fund.
Three venues in Ryde - Garfield Road’s Methodist Church, Guildford Road’s St Helens Community Centre and Dover Street’s Aspire Ryde – along with the Memorial Hall Arts & Leisure Company, in Avenue Road, Freshwater, each collected £1,000 grants towards core costs.
Between them the centres provide vital services to around 6,000 people on the Island each month, including fitness classes, parent groups, dementia support, counselling sessions and free meals.
Aspire Ryde is an award-winning community hub and charity that offers youth programmes, mental health support, upskilling and employability training and multiple creative and social groups.
The centre will use the cash to provide fresh food hampers to families in need, pre-frozen meals for those who cannot leave their homes, and daily community meals, as well as towards the cost of operating warm spaces and social groups.
Steve Johnson, Community and Partnerships Director for Aspire said:
“Southern Water’s commitment demonstrate
"Together, we will make a meaningful impact, ensuring that no one in our community feels left behind this winter.
"Their support will allow us to bring warmth, nourishment, and connection to those who need it most, fostering a brighter and more hopeful future for the Isle of Wight."
Southern Water’s Community Fund scheme is now in its third year, and this year is giving away £30,000 to community centres across Hampshire, Kent, Sussex and the Isle of Wight.
The grant programme is part of the company’s ongoing work to support resilient communities to thrive, alongside delivering ongoing utility services in our region.
Alex Willumsen, Southern Water’s Community Partnerships and Programme Manager, said:
“The huge number of applications we received illustrated the incredible amount of support and services community centres offer to thousands of people across our region.
"We’re so pleased to be able to offer a helping hand through these grants, which will help ensure they can keep up their valuable work.”
More grant winners will be announced from Hampshire, Sussex and Kent shortly.
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