Single Regeneration Budget IV (SRB IV)

The Single Regeneration Budget supports regeneration initiatives to improve the quality of life of people living in deprived areas by reducing the gap between have and have-nots.

It supports projects aimed at:

• Improving the employment prospects, education and skills of local people
• Addressing social exclusion an improving opportunities for the disadvantaged
• Promoting sustainable regeneration, improve and protect the environment and infrastructure, including housing
• Supporting and promoting growth in local economies and businesses
• Reducing crime and drug abuse and improve community safety

SRB is delivered through the regional development agencies – in the Island’s case SEEDA. More than 900 schemes have been approved nationally, worth over £5.5 billion.

SRB comes in six annual rounds. The Isle of Wight Economic Partnership co-ordinates and facilitates four of those on the Island.

SRB IV - Building a Community Bridge to Employment

Project Descriptions:

• BMX/Skateboard Facility Park
• Bridging Initiative
• CAP Scheme
• Christopher Cockerell Memorial Playground
• Cowes Business Challenge
• Cowes Deal (Mentoring)
• Cowes Extension College
• Cowes Health Centre
• Cowes Learning Town
• Cowes Mapping
• Cowes Sports Football Club Development
• Cowes Yachting
• Cross Street Enhancement
• ECYFC
• East Cowes Skate Park
• Employers Needs Survey
• Frank James Hospital Development
• HECK
• Heritage Trail
• Ladders
• Learning to Learn Together
• Meadow Road, East Cowes Play Area
• Northwood House Feasibility Study
• School Industry Links
• Scout Hall Improvements
• Youth Internet Information

Ladders

Low literacy compounds the chances of unemployment and job opportunities. Unfortunately the Meadow Road Community Shop in East Cowes discovered that literacy was a problem in the town in general but especially with men. This has led to high levels of unemployment and social exclusion.

These people are often not confident enough to go back to school or college. Therefore this target group of people over the age of 20 now have the opportunity to learn in a supporting environment through the ‘Ladders’ scheme. A tutor based at the Community Shop gives two x two-hour classes. Funding was sought to pay for staff coverage at the facility.

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Learning to Learn Together

This project aimed to build and extend on the family learning project within East Cowes Primary School which includes shared literacy, basic IT skills, management of children’s behaviour, drug awareness and family health and fitness.

The extra objectives of this project were:

• To develop a family learning centre within the school
• To establish a timetable for family learning opportunities
• To provide a range of learning opportunities for parents

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Meadow Road, East Cowes Play Area

This project provides a new facility for young children to play safely in an area close to their homes by improving a disused garden adjacent to Meadow Road flats. Specific work included cutting hedges, erection of a fence and the provision of play equipment and safety surfaces.

This initiative was entirely generated by residents who were invited to submit suggestions for improvements to their neighbourhood. Therefore it promotes the involvement of residents in the development of their community, providing a community resource designed and run by the residents of the area.

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Northwood House Feasibility Study

This project was developed to provide a detailed feasibility study investigating the future users of Northwood House in Cowes. The Grade II listed building had fallen into something of a state of disrepair, with reparations estimated between £500,000 and £1 million. Running cost and maintenance bills are approximately £70,000 a year so it was vital to investigate the possibility of extending the useful season beyond Cowes week and summer weddings.

Organisation:	IW Council
Project Website:	www.iwight.com
Project Leader:	N/A
Project Status:	Project Archived
Tel:	N/A
E-mail:	N/A
Project Start Date:	January 2000
Funding Complete:	March 2000
Funding Total:	£5,000

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School Industry Links

The aim of this project was to provide an opportunity for School and College staff who provide careers information or are Year/Subject tutors to undertake a formal placement in a local company. The purpose of this is to allow these staff to update themselves on how that company/industry sector operates and to ascertain the career opportunities within. First-hand experience means that they can pass on a greater understanding of the employment opportunities open to young people on the Island.

SRB funds were needed to contract a dedicated facilitator to arrange appropriate links and to monitor their progress.

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Scout Hall Improvements

Funding was sought in order for the Scout Hall to be updated and improved in the following ways:

• Provide disabled toilet facilities
• Provide hot water in toilets
• Provide changing rooms/showers for male and female members
• Provide shower facilities for disabled members
• Improve security

It was envisaged that by improving the facilities, more young people would be encouraged to join the Scouts and create a greater feeling of social community in the town. This would then lead to a reduction in the amount of petty theft and juvenile crime that result from social exclusion.

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Youth Internet Information Service

This proposal was for an Islandwide internet-based information service for young people, including drug prevention/education, alcohol and sexual health messages together with information and employment and training opportunities.

There will be information about youth-related interests such as travel, clubs, music and youth services to encourage young people onto the site. The project was designed to centre on Cowes and East Cowes first and eventually provide a start for an exchange of information with a partner EU state.

Organisation:	Cowes High School
Project Website:	www.coweshigh.org.uk
Project Leader:	N/A
Project Status:	Project Archived
Tel:	N/A
E-mail:	N/A
Project Start Date:	December 1998
Funding Complete:	March 2003
Funding Total:	£13,900

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