leadership through change

ACE Loneliness Fund

NET, Comic Relief and Children in Need will use this funding to provide: increased support to vulnerable people and hidden groups, thus reducing the burden on public services; reach local grassroots and small organisations who can provide an on-the-ground community response to the crisis; and, support local charitable organisations to mobilise volunteers to enable better targeted support in communities through empowered local groups.

Grant from The Fore's RAFT Immediate Response Fund to Independent Arts, as part of The Fore's COVID-19 Response programme.

Independent Arts - Core support

towards three years' running costs of a project providing social singing groups for older people in the Isle of Wight

This two-year project enabled people experiencing depression and anxiety living on the Isle of Wight to meet together on a regular basis and participate in social and creative activities, including music, arts, dance, photography, mindfulness and counselling sessions. They were able to provide mutual support to each other and gain self-esteem and self-confidence. Participants took the lead in running the cafe and deciding everything about the programme, content and activities.

SingAbout

Independent Arts runs wellbeing services targeted at older people living in the Isle of Wight; on the Island 26.1% of the population are aged over 65 and rates of dementia are twice the national average. It has a base in Newport, but reaches isolated older people by operating outreach activities in community venues, hospitals and care-homes. Its core services include SingAbout (to aid dementia) and Singing for Breathing (to aid respiratory problems); these fun and engaging groups use NHS recognised techniques to increase health and wellbeing. Every month its range of activities reach 1,600 older people. The grant will cover the salary of the Chief Executive who plays a vital role in doing the organisation's fundraising and planning.

towards two years' salary of the Chief Executive at a project providing support to vulnerable older people in residential care and in the community on the Isle of Wight

This new two-year project is based on a pilot scheme. Independent Arts will run a singing for Breathing project, to offer a social group activity for older people with long-term respiratory conditions who will come from different areas on the Isle of Wight. Participants will benefit from the opportunity to meet other local people and form stronger links and ties.