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New youth-led grants to prevent Isle of Wight youth homelessness

• 2 min read

Young people on the Isle of Wight at risk of homelessness are being offered the advice and support to start independent living and overcome common financial hurdles and challenges thanks to a £240,000 fund created by SNG (Sovereign Network Group) and youth charity, The Blagrave Trust. 

The ‘Move On And Thrive Fund’ (MOAT) is a three-year grant-based scheme managed by a panel of young people living in supported accommodation who have experienced their own challenges in finding and maintaining a home. This includes a variety of challenges from the management of finances to mental wellbeing. 

The first round of funding has now been distributed. The MOAT Youth Panel worked together to shortlist applicants and the successful organisations to receive the first year’s funding are the Isorropia Foundation, Pan Together, the Isle of Wight Youth Trust and Aspire Ryde.   

Toby Eaglen, Community Investment and Partnership Lead for the IOW at SNG said:

“SNG is delighted to be working with the Blagrave Trust and a group of passionate young people to prevent youth homelessness on the island. We are now recruiting a new Move on and Thrive Panel of young people. If you are between the ages of 16 and 25 years old and would like to learn about grant funding and discuss the issues affecting young people on the island and make a difference to your community, please email: Toby.eaglen@sng.org.uk” 

Tessa Hibbert from The Blagrave Trust said: “At Blagrave, we fund and collaborate with partners to bring lasting change to the lives of young people. We invest in them as powerful forces for change and act upon their right to be heard in pursuit of a fair and just society. We’re really pleased to be supporting this important initiative on the island.”

The next round of funding will include the Move on and Thrive Empowerment Fund which is being launched on 20 April. The fund will support young people with small grants of less than £250 per person, to access employment and training, health and wellbeing support, digital inclusion, travel and moving into a new home.

Visit our Move and Thrive fund page to find out more information about the programme.