New Year IW Foundation cash boost for local charities

Four charity projects that use computer technology to reduce social exclusion on the Island have been boosted by funding from the Isle of Wight Foundation.

The Foundation, made up of the partners in Highways PFI company Island Roads, has announced that Mountbatten Hospice, Isle of Wight Search and Rescue (Wight SAR), Aspire Ryde and the 4Ps Training School run by Vectis Radio are the latest groups to receive funding. They will share a total of nearly £30,000.

Each year, the foundation – comprising Ringway Island Roads, Meridiam, VINCI UK Foundation and VINCI Concessions – supports projects working to tackle social exclusion on the Island. Since 2014, the foundation has awarded more than £543,000 to such good causes and this year alone over £73,000 has been shared between ten local projects.

Mountbatten hospice will use its £6,700 to purchase 30 laptops for its Neighbours Remote Support initiative while Aspire will use the £6,730 grant to provide computer equipment and furniture for a new skills hub.

WightSAR has been donated £8,000 for new search and rescue equipment and training, while Vectis Radio’s 4Ps Training School will use its £8,000 award to support work helping young people to improve life chances by building their confidence and improve their communication through radio work. 

IW Foundation chairman Phillip Horton said: “Once again the foundation was truly impressed with the great range of community projects that are tackling social exclusion in so many innovative and effective ways.

“The companies behind Island Roads have always had an ethos that they want the Highways PFI to not only deliver improvements to local infrastructure but to make a make a positive impact on the wider Island community as well.

“We are delighted to be working with so many inspirational local bodies to help make that impact.”

Trevor Nicholas, Aspire chief executive said: “This money is a real boost to our project to create a relaxed and informal training hub based at our  information point in Ryde but also enabling folk to be supported from home or anywhere else too.

“Participants will be referred from housing providers and employment services and will be able to walk in to develop their own free learning pathways, helping them to realise their own potential and to earn qualifications that can help them into employment.“