Rural Development Programme

The Rural Development Programme (RDP) is a national programme designed to bring about economic and social change in the countryside. It provides help to rural businesses and communities which need to adapt and develop.

On the Isle of Wight the RDP seeks to help Islanders regenerate the countryside outside of the comparatively large towns of Ryde and Newport.

The key aims of the RDP are to:

• Improve the rural economy and reduce levels of unemployment
• Improve the quality of life for the rural population
• Focus help on those groups in need, especially older and younger people
• Improve the environment of the rural area

Over the last fifteen years more than £15 million in rural grants has been issued and more than 1,000 jobs created on the Island.

The Isle of Wight Rural Development Programme, which funded by SEEDA, is administered through the Isle of Wight Economic Partnership. The programme started in 1994 and is due to finish in March 31st 2004.

The RDP has funded – either in total or in part – a high number of projects:

• Abattoir and Retail Feasibility Plan
• All Island Foyer
• Americas Cup Jubilee Education Project
• Angel Community Radio
• Arts Away
• Arts in Healthcare
• Bembridge Community Centre Upgrade
• BMX and Skateboard Facility, Cowes
• Brading into the Millennium
• Brading Partners
• Brading Roman Villa
• Brighstone School Environmental Project
• Business Mentoring Manager
• Cadet Boats and Safety Cover
• Corf Campsite – Improvement to Facilities
• Cowes Sports Football Club Development
• Cross Street Enhancement
• Delegated Projects Fund
• Developing Northwood Playgroup
• Domestic Violence Co-ordinator
• Ferry Road
• Green Island Awards
• Island 2000
• Isle of Wight Branding Marketing Initiative
• Isle of Wight Indoor Cricket Academy
• Medina Marching Band
• North Medina Community Development Trust
• Outreach Support for Older Persons
• Playworks
• Rolling Stock Restoration Project
• Rural Deposit Guarantee Scheme
• Rural Outreach Positive Engagement Team
• Sandown Bay Young Women’s Project
• Shalfleet Community Project
• Small Business Network
• Somerton Business Park
• Soundbeam
• Stroud Toddlers Playground
• Sustainable Tourism Workshops and Conference
• Ventnor Gateway Access
• West Wight Information Centre
• West Wight Nursery Training Centre
• Wight Wheels
• Youth, Community and Crime Prevention

Ventnor Gateway Access

This project provides detailed information in a user-friendly format for people with mobility impairments about how to get about and enjoy Ventnor and the surrounding countryside. By enabling people to have access to information about the area and the obstacles to expect and where, more people will be encouraged to come to, and stay in, areas they might have otherwise stayed away from.

An accessibility audit by the Fieldfare Trust on the area surrounding Ventnor including car parks, seating areas, parks and gardens and the public right of way network identified areas of concern. Therefore the project started an ongoing programme of works that can be undertaken by the various responsible parties so that appropriate improvements to accessibility can be made.

Organisation:	IW Council
Project Website:	www.iwight.com
Project Leader:	Robin McInnes
Project Status:	Live
Tel:	01983 823200
E-mail:	robin.mcinnes@iow.gov.uk
Project Start Date:	February 2001
Funding Complete:	February 2004
Funding Total:	£6,000

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West Wight Information Centre

South Wight Housing Association Ltd sought funding that allowed them to provide a local centre within a rural area which would act as the base for the provision of community services as identified by the public. The project is in partnership with the Local Authority and has been based on the community needs as identified at a range of public meetings and consultations.

Problems addressed:

• Inability to access services due to location and the lack and expense of public transport
• Social exclusion through skills shortages e.g. IT, literacy and numeracy, social and communication skills

Beneficiaries:

• West Wight community including women, youths and children
• Unemployed
• Disabled
• Socially excluded groups

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West Wight Nursery Training Centre

The project funding was granted to construct a two-storey extension to the existing building and facilities. This allows the school to offer more nursery places and allows children more space to work in.

As well as this, the extra space will enable the centre to offer a family learning and drop-in computer area aimed at the 50+ age group. This will be offered five afternoons and three evenings a week. The same area will also be used, with specialist equipment, by the local youth for making music and recording two nights a week.

The objective is to offer activities that will encourage community use in a non-structured and relaxed atmosphere.

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Wight Wheels

For simple economic reasons public transport is limited in rural areas which can cause those living there difficulties in attending work and social events. By providing solutions to their transport problems, Wight Wheels aims to enable those living in rural areas of the Island access to jobs, training, education and volunteering programmes. It is part of the Isle of Wight’s Anti-Poverty Initiative which arose as part of the Isle of Wight Anti-Poverty Strategy’s (Nov 1998) identification of major transport problems on the Island.

The project will assist in finding transport solutions for individuals who have problems in getting to the larger towns. By making a range of options available the beneficiary can find the best solution to their needs. These include:

• Loans of mopeds for a limited loan period
• Grants or loans to buy electric bikes
• Grants to buy monthly bus or ferry season tickets
• Reconditioned bikes
• Subsidised driving lessons

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Youth, Community and Crime Prevention

This bid for funding was put together to employ someone to undertake community safety and crime prevention development work. This is either done at community level or in Island-wide groups that have an impact at community level.

There are two distinct client groups:

• Community groups
• Young people

The post adds value to the work done by the Police and the IW Council and is directed at community based solutions to crime prevention and tackling the fear of crime.

Organisation:	IW Council
Project Website:	www.iowcrime-disorder.org
Project Leader:	Niki Haytack
Project Status:	Live
Tel:	01983 822696
E-mail:	niki.haytack@iow.gov.uk
Project Start Date:	April 2002
Funding Complete:	March 2004
Funding Total:	£56,126

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