Communities across the Isle of Wight are to asked about how they want £294,000 of National Lottery funds spent on improving play opportunities for young people. The council won the lottery money following an ‘Isle Play’ bid to the National Lottery Fund.
Alan Wells Isle of Wight Council cabinet member for children and young people, said:Â
“This is fantastic news for the children and young people of the Isle of Wight.
“It is particularly pleasing that we are to receive every penny of the amount we bid for. That shows that the schemes put forward clearly have great merit and will provide a tremendous boost for thousands of young people throughout the Island.”Â
It will pay for two schemes - ‘Community Play Rangers’ which will see children being included in projects run by Play Rangers employed by the council and ‘I-Play Mobile’ which will offers simulating play for young people particularly those with a disability.
The projects are set to be launched in summer next year following the consultation process and will benefit around 7,500 young people across the Isle of Wight over the next three years.
The council has set up a multi-agency play partnership who will be responsible for planning, delivering and overseeing the initiative. Partners include the Riverside Centre in Newport, Medina Housing, the Forestry Commission.