Record number of IOW Children in poverty - from Harriet Hadfield's 5-stories

Published 11:45 on 10 Apr 2022

The number of children living in poverty on the Isle of Wight has hit a record high. The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions show 22% of the Island's children were living in poverty in 2020 - that's almost 5,000 children. These kinds of statistics are always estimated, with poverty interpreted as a household with income too low to meet basic needs of living - including food, shelter and healthcare. What it does show for sure - with a 5.5% increase over six years - is that this is an increasing problem, exacerbated by covid lockdowns and one we should be worrying about heading into a period of rising energy price and inflation.  

SVYC member, Karen Rivlin chairs a local charity, Home-Start, which supports struggling families. Karen told 5-stores: "What really works about Home-Start's approach is that we are about families supporting other families. All of our volunteers bring their own unique experience into the homes of young families struggling with isolation or difficult circumstances. It's a system based on support and nurture - the very essence of what community and family means." You can sign up here.  To read more 5-stories pieces or subscribe, click here. 

The SVYC's charity, the Seaview Sailing Trust (or SST for short), provides much-needed extracurricular sailing activities to pupils from local Isle of Wight primary schools. There will be drinks party to launch the Trust on Good Friday, at noon in the Mermaid room (tickets are £10 in aid of SST). You can book this event on the Clubs website here.  More details of the schools' sailing programme and the SST are on the Club's website.