Community Capacity providers
In January 2025, we held our latest round of Early Help Community Capacity Building grant applications. We have previously funded over 50 provisions available for Island children, young people, families, parents and carers and many of them continue to be sustainable and can be found listed on our Family Information Hub.
These provisions are currently receiving our funding:
Provider: Aspire
Email: steve@aspireryde.org.uk
Contact: Steve
Session information:
At Shanklin Creative Hub, we will
- provide free and subsidized music sessions and workshops, looking at music development, production and performance
- offer state-of-the-art recording and rehearsal spaces, enabling participants to develop their musical skills
- run four dedicated sessions per week, engaging young people in structured, creative activities to support youth engagement in the area
- host live performances and showcases, giving young musicians the opportunity to build confidence and experience
- create a supportive, inclusive environment, where young people can connect, collaborate, and develop essential life skills through music
Contact Meme Cullen (email above) 01983 716020 at Shanklin Young Persons & Family Centre, Albert Road, Shanklin, Isle of Wight PO37 7LY
Provider: Brading Community Partnership
Email: gin.jane.b@gmail.com or kate@bradingcp.org
Contact: Ginnie and Kate
Session information:
Brading Community Meadow
Discover, experience and learn about local, organic, animal friendly, food production (LOAF). The activities offered include: small farm animal husbandry, community growing in the fruit and vegetable garden, wildlife and wood craft activities and enjoyment of the open and peaceful natural space.
Email: Kate@meta-nlp.co.uk
Tel: 07974211443
Provider: Community Action
Email: l.reid@actioniw.org.uk
Contact: Laura
Session information:
East Cowes Youth – Weekly after school and holiday sessions for ages 9 – 18.
We offer safe, friendly and fun sessions such as arts and crafts, board games and chess, team games and group sports, chill out and mindfulness sessions, information, advice, guidance and youth volunteering opportunities.
For more information contact Becka
Email: RBlachford@actioniw.org.uk
Provider: East Cowes Carnival
Email: eastcowescarnival@gmail.com
Contact: Carrie Ann
Session information:
East Cowes Carnival Workshops - Join the Fun!
East Cowes Carnival is excited to offer free carnival workshops for all families on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month.
Come along to create costumes and learn dance moves, to participate in the summer carnivals across the Isle of Wight!
Where: EC Scout Hut
When: 10:00am - 12:00noon starting April 27 2025
Dates: 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month
Email: eastcowescarnival@gmail.com
Tel: 07412058927 (Carrie)
Provider: Epic Productions
Contact: Laura
Session information:
Film-making with the Isle of Wight Film School
Come and make films, shorts and reels with us; the world is our oyster and no idea is too wild.
Using accessible iPhone technology we will storyboard, write, act, direct, operate cameras, sound and lights and edit – bringing our wildest dreams to life across many genres.
From April 2025 we are partnering with the IOW Council to bring a monthly, fully practical and accessible film-making club to the island for kids aged 8-16.
Head to the family information hub website for date info.
Provider: Isle of Wight Rare Breeds
Email: info@iowrarebreeds.com
Contact: Susan
Session information:
Commencing 24 April 2025 we are delighted to offer home-educated young people aged 5-11 years an exciting, hands-on learning programme designed to inspire creativity, foster new skills, and encourage collaboration.
Over the course of eight weeks, participants will take part in four engaging sessions held fortnightly, coming together in a supportive and dynamic environment to learn, create, and grow.
Each session is carefully tailored to ensure that learning is not only meaningful but also enjoyable, sparking curiosity and encouraging young minds to explore.
The programme culminates in a special family showcase, where participants will proudly share their achievements, demonstrate their new skills, and create lasting memories with their families. This final session celebrates the growth of each young learner, highlighting the joy of connection, creativity, and shared experiences.
Provider: SWAY
Email: Familywork.swaymail@gmail.com
Contact: Kathryn
Session information:
SWAY's Chale Green Youth project will begin in April 2025 with 5 monthly outdoor sessions on the Green at Chale Green. From September sessions will move into our new Community Hub building on site at the Green at Chale Green. Sessions will be open to all but aimed at young people aged 11-14yrs old.
For more information contact Kathryn Alvis (Youth and Families Worker).
Email: familywork.swaymail@gmail.com
Tel: 07823347618
Provider: Sun Drum
Email: sundrumforest@gmail.com
Contact: Fani
Session information:
Join Our Once-a-Month Skate Club
Looking to improve your skate skills or just have fun and give it a go? Join our Monthly Skate Club in collaboration with John Castle Skating.
When: 4:30 PM on Mondays (dates TBC)
Where: Ventnor Seafront Skate Park (weather permitting)
Bad weather plan: St. Margaret’s Community Hall, Ventnor (PO38 1BJ, Lowtherville Rd)
All levels welcome. Come along, learn from a pro, and skate with a great community.
Book your spot now.
Email: sundrumforest@gmail.com
Call or text: 07890 463771
Provider: Wildheart Animal Sanctuary
Email: Emma.cordon@wildheartanimalsanctuary.org
Contact: Emma
Session information:
Wildheart on Tour!
Come and join the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary team for an afternoon of fun at Newport Family Hub. The activities provided will offer an age-appropriate exploration of different STEM topics through arts, crafts and lots of fun activities.
Contact: Emma
Tel: 01983 403 883 ext 124
Email: discovery@wildheartanimalsanctuary.org
https://www.facebook.com/WildheartDiscovery?locale=en_GB
Provider: Wight Horse CIC
Email: cariad@wighthorse.co.uk
Contact: Caraid
Session information:
Wight Horse wellbeing sessions - managing thoughts and feelings.
Our equine assisted wellbeing group gives children the opportunity to take part in group facilitated activities with a qualified therapist. Equine Assisted Wellbeing offers everyone a unique opportunity to improve their mental wellbeing by working alongside horses with a specifically designed therapeutic programme. Participants learn about themselves and others by taking part in activities with horses and then processing (or discussing) feelings, behaviours and patterns. The course would enable children to meet the horses, spend therapeutic time observing, caring for and working with them. They will be given the opportunity to reflect on their own emotions through the sessions. Benefits include improved: Self-esteem, Communication skills, Self-awareness, Relaxation, Empowerment, Interpersonal relationships, Self-control, Focus, concentration and Happiness.
Email: cariad@wighthorse.co.uk
Tel: 01983 212121.
Providers awarded Early Help Community Capacity Grants
Provider: YES! Creative Beats
June 2024 - Outreach drumming workshops for perinatal families to promote family wellbeing and positive mental health. Workshops will be delivered across the island every fortnight and are free to attend.
Provider: Aspire Ryde
June 2024 - Our Free Bikes Project aims to provide young people aged 6 to16 years with free bikes to help them travel to and from school safely and independently. The initiative includes the ability to swap bikes as young people outgrow them. Our Free Bike Project promotes physical activity and will help boost school attendance for young people. By donating bikes, we can empower kids in our community and foster a healthier, more connected future.
Provider: Wildheart Animal Sanctuary
June 2024 - Tiger Tots
Following the success of our perinatal Mental Health group (funded by Community Capacity), Tiger Cubs, we have expanded the provision to include older children and their carers/families. We will be providing diverse weekly sessions focused on socialisation, themed sensory play, fine motor activities, movement and dance, early learning, and age-appropriate soft skill development. Additionally, sessions will help parents and guardians by providing a support system, activities related to mental health and mindfulness, and boost skills and confidence through group learning and sharing.
June 2024 - Wild Art Club
Fortnightly sessions for youths between Years 6 and 7. In the crucial primary to secondary transition. Focussing on the well-documented mental health benefits that exposure to art, animals, and nature brings. With guidance from qualified teachers with a background in art, participants will have the opportunity to create artwork inspired by our animals. Developing skills and techniques in a range of media, including: pencil sketching; painting; drawing with oil pastels; sculpting; paper cutting; and collage.
Provider: Ventnor Youth Club
June 2024 - Ventnor Youth Dance Club
Dance Taster session and dance workshops. Learn style and choreography. From; Hip-Hop, Classic, Tap, Contemporary, Jazz & more. Qualified & fully insured Dance Teacher & Performer: UKA, NVQ AND BA DANCE.
Provider: Theatre Educational
June 2024 - Performance with Purpose
Musical Theatre classes for 8 to 18 years. This is a unique and creative performance project to raise money for local youth services, with the option to gain an RSL qualification in Musical Theatre. Topical, relatable themes for children and young people.
Provider: Sensory Space CIC
June 2024 - Baby sensory and Well being 0 to 14 months. Come and join us at our unique multi sensory play space. Using the senses of sight, touch, smell and hearing explore together with your little one. Spending quality time together capturing memories and magic moments.
Provider: Forever Wild at Heart
June 2024 - Wild Mamas Monthly Morning Retreat: Connect with Your Baby, Yourself, and Nature
Join us for a relaxed and nurturing morning retreat tailored specifically for new mothers during pregnancy or with a new born. Set amidst the beauty of the woods, this retreat offers a rare opportunity to step away from the busyness of everyday life and immerse yourself in nature. <
Provider: IW Hockey Club
June 2024 - The Isle of Wight Hockey Club is actively reaching out to all young people aged 5 to 12 to come to Smallbrooke Stadium in Ryde on a Sunday morning between 9.30am to 10.30am to try and get involved with Hockey. We are sending coaches out into schools for Years 6 and 7 to try and give as many children of these ages a taste of hockey as possible. Please engage with these coaches if they come to your school, but please do come along and join us on a Sunday morning, you are all most welcome.
Provider: Tidal Family Support
June 2024 - Is your child in year 6 and would benefit with either a small group or one to one support with transitioning to secondary school in September 2025
Provider: Tide nor Time CIC
June 2024 - Tide Nor Time Players CIC, in partnership with Carisbrooke Castle Museum and funded by the Isle of Wight Council's Early Help Grant, is launching a new Young People's Performing Arts Group for ages 13 to 19 years. This is aimed at fostering an inclusive and vibrant performing arts community led by young people. The initiative will offer an empowering platform for participants to gain skills and experience in all aspects of performing arts production. Supported by professional mentoring with a unique emphasis on self determination, inclusion and diversity through performing arts.
Provider: Independent Arts
June 2024 - Discover our home education provision at Independent Arts!
Join us for a 6 week introductory Home Education art course its for 8 to 14 year olds focusing on basic art skills and theory. All delivered in a fun, engaging, and social environment. A chance to learn as a family, make new friends, and expand your art practices. Specifically designed for those who home educate. These workshops will be held on Tuesday mornings from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Provider: Love Matters
June 2024 - Love Matters will be offering weekly relationship support drop in session (in person and online), alongside 1:2 Relationship Support sessions. These will be sessions to ask questions and learn skills in a supportive environment around how to increase friendship and emotional connection with your partner, how to communicate better and how to handle disagreements positively. Stronger relationships mean better wellbeing for you and the whole family!