Find an Isle of Wight warm space
If you're looking for somewhere warm to go this winter, our libraries are offering warm spaces for everyone. Participating libraries are:
- Ryde, George St, Ryde PO33 2JE
- Newport, Lord Louis Library, Orchard St, Newport PO30 1LL
- Cowes, Beckford Rd, Cowes PO31 7SG
- Freshwater, School Green Rd, Freshwater, PO40 8AP
- Sandown, High St, Sandown PO36 8AF
- Ventnor, High St, Ventnor PO38 1LZ
The libraries are offering slightly different services, but all offer warmth, a friendly welcome, advice and free wifi.
Local community organisations are also providing warm spaces. We've listed all we currently know about on our website.
 Support with the cost of living
Everyone can access some support with the cost of living. Support includes:
 Make sure you claim your energy support voucher
From 1 October, many customers with traditional prepayment meters should have begun to receive the first instalments of the Government's Energy Bill Support Scheme, which are valid for 90 days.
You will receive the Energy Bills Support Scheme discount from the first week of each month between October 2022 and March 2023.
Your supplier should have your contact details, but if you’re not sure or you haven't had any information from them, you should check that they have your latest number and email.
You’ll get the discount automatically in one of these ways:
- Redeemable vouchers, sent by SMS text, email or post
- An automatic credit when you top up at your usual top up point
- Your electricity supplier will let you know in advance how you will get your discount.
If you get vouchers, you’ll need to redeem them at a top-up point. Your supplier will tell you where to redeem them, for example at a Post Office branch or a PayPoint shop.
Payzone outlets are unable to accept the vouchers.
 Shopping safely online
Trading Standards is warning consumers to take added precautions when shopping online. It’s important to make sure that we do all we can to stay safe especially at what is probably the most expensive time of year for most of us!
Online Shopping Tips
- Carry out research before using a new company online
- Make sure you only give information that is necessary to make your purchase. Don’t be quick to hand over personal and banking details
- Using a credit card can offer you protection for purchases over £100 although some banks have a charge back process when using a debit card
- Read the small print particularly related to returns and delivery costs
- When shopping, check to be sure the site is security enabled. Look for web addresses with https:// the s stands for Secure, there should also be a green padlock in the address bar.
- Make sure you use strong passwords when setting up online accounts. Did you know a password comprising of 3 words, a number and a capital letter takes up to 100,000 years to crack!
- Don’t use the same password for all of your accounts
- For up to date advice on staying safe online visit the Get Safe Online website at www.getsafeonline.org.
Reporting a Scam
For advice on scams call - Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline: 03454 04 05 06
To report a scam call - Action Fraud: 0300 123 2040
 The COVID-19 and flu vaccination
You can now have a COVID-19 autumn booster if you are aged 50 or over.
The full list of people eligible for an autumn booster is:
- aged 50 or over
- pregnant
- aged 5 and over and at high risk due to a health condition
- aged 5 and over and at high risk because of a weakened immune system
- aged 16 and over and lives with someone who has a weakened immune system
- aged 16 and over and is a carer, either paid or unpaid
- a frontline health and social care worker
You can get your vaccine by
- Responding to a message from your GP inviting you to get vaccinated. If you haven't heard from your GP yet, please don’t worry. They will be in touch.
- Calling 119 between 7am and 11pm daily to book an appointment or booking online: Book or manage a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
You may be offered appointments at the Riverside Centre, St Mary's hospital or a community pharmacy.
- Going to a walk-in clinic. A list of these is on this NHS website.
Do you need help with booking an appointment or accessing information in languages other than English? Contact the Hampshire and Isle of Wight COVID-19 helpline on 0300 561 0018 (Open between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm at weekends).
The flu vaccine is offered free on the NHS to:
- all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2022
- all primary school aged children (from Reception to Year 6)
- those aged 6 months of age upwards in a clinical risk group
- pregnant women
- those aged 65 years and over
- those in long-stay residential care homes
- carers in receipt of a carer’s allowance, or who are the main carer of an older or disabled person who may be at risk if the carer gets sick
- those that live with someone who is more likely to get infections (such as someone living with HIV, has had a transplant or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis)
- frontline health or social care workers (that do not have access to occupational health)
Get more information about the flu vaccination on this website: www.nhs.uk/flujab
Grants of up to £3,000 are available to help organisations deliver initiatives that support families, children and young people living on the Isle of Wight.
The Early Help Community Capacity Building Grant is available to local groups, clubs and enterprises through our Supporting Families Programme.
The funding is intended to help providers organise activities, clubs or groups for families, parents/carers and/or young people up to the age of 19 (up to 25 with specified additional needs).
Grants could be used to set up and run schemes such as parental, baby or toddler groups, teenage groups, family-based groups, mental health and welcoming sessions/hubs, peer support groups, outreach support and community-led groups and activities.
Closing date 28 November 2022.
We are looking for organisations who can work in partnership with our Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.
The programme gives free spaces to eligible children who receive benefits-related free school meals. Children take part activities like sports, spending time outdoors, arts and crafts and free play. They also enjoy hot nutritious meals.
Organisations interested in helping to deliver the programme next year can bid to become a recognised provider on our framework. We will tender for next year’s full HAF programme in early 2023. If approved, organisations will then be able to apply to deliver activities over Easter, summer and Christmas in 2023. Those already on the framework do not need to reapply.
Suitable organisations include:
- Schools
- Childcare providers
- Community organisations
- Sports coaching and outdoor education providers
- We are particularly keen to hear from organisations that can provide services to older school children
Closing date 4 November.
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