The Isle of Wight Council is asking residents and interested organisations to give their feedback on a new strategy which seeks to support Islanders who may be living in poverty.
There has been a significant rise in the cost of living, especially in respect of food and energy costs and the effects of these increases on some of the Island's most vulnerable residents has been significant.
The council and its community partners are now seeking to jointly approach the creation of a sustainable and effective anti-poverty strategy for the Island over the next five years.
Ian Lloyd, the council's strategic manager for partnerships and support services, said:
"We are living in challenging economic times, and no-one is immune from the current squeeze on finances particularly with the rising costs of food and energy bills.
"Poverty is a complex issue and is driven by many factors.
"We are determined to do all that we can locally to support people through difficult times."
The lack of an anti-poverty strategy has not stopped the Island from taking action during the cost of living crisis.
The Island's statutory services and communities have delivered support, advice and extra funding to residents who are in need.
A local anti-poverty strategy would enable a focus on not only the here and now, but also the longer-term aspirations to bring about action on poverty for all Islanders.
It could also:
- set clear goals about how poverty will be tackled and how Islanders will be supported
- improve co-ordination and empower key local groups and organisations to do more to address poverty, focussing limited resources and capacity
- increase accountability by providing measurable targets to understand if the actions are making a difference.
Mr Lloyd added:
"It is vital to work with local people through the organisations that are already supporting residents in the communities where they have chosen to live.
"The coproduction of an Island strategy is essential for it to be effective and sustainable for our residents.
"This survey is the first step of seeking targeted engagement to help shape and inform the themes for follow on workshops to devise and shape any Island strategy over the coming months."
Individual residents can complete the survey.
Organisations, meantime, can take part by completing the survey HERE.
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