Connected Communities Programme | WightFibre

Partner with WightFibre to bring broadband that works…Guaranteed… to your community… because we care.

At WightFibre we want to support the important work of not-for-profit and community focused groups across the Island, by bringing a different kind of broadband to them and the communities they serve.

That’s why, as we work hard to make the Island one of the best connected places in the world we are also working hard to make full-fibre, ultrafast, future-proof broadband available to community groups, charitable organisations and special interest groups across the Island.

Through the WightFibre Connected Communities Programme we will fully or part fund the installation, rental and ongoing costs associated with bringing WightFibre full-fibre, ultrafast, future-proof broadband into community hub locations and their offices.

The Eligibility Criteria

Applying organisations and groups must be:

Located and based on the Isle of Wight
Isle of Wight community focused
A Registered Charity, not for profit organisation or a voluntary community group

Only one application and award is allowed per community group or organisation. Those qualifying must meet all criteria listed below in the “How to apply” section

How to apply

Simply register your ‘Expression of Interest’ to let us know that you are interested in finding out more about the WightFibre Connected Communities Programme.

You can do this by simply clicking on the link below and submitting your application form.

Once submitted, we will review the initial information and contact you directly using the information provided.

Connected Communities Program Application Form

Eligibility Criteria

Applying organisations and groups must be:

Located and based on the Isle of Wight. The organisation must be based on the Island with a permanent premise. For example, a national mainland charity must have a local branch that is for the sole benefit of the Island’s residents.
Isle of Wight community focused. The work undertaken by the organisation must be focused on improving the lives of people living on the Island.
An organisation registered as a charity with Charity Commission for England and Wales. The programme is aimed at local, small – medium sized charities, not for profit organisations, voluntary community groups. A ‘Not for Profit’ / Voluntary community group which run activities that do not earn profits for its owners. All money earned by donations or services is purely to support the organisation/group to keep it running for the benefit of the people it supports.

Also:

The premise must be located on our Full Fibre network area (use our postcode checker)
Only one application and award is allowed per community group / organisation
Those applying must meet all criteria and be able to submit proof if required
Each application will be considered on its individual merits. Wightfibre reserves the right to refuse any application it feels doesn’t meet the criteria and supports the spirit of the programme
Wightfibre reserve the right to decide what is awarded under the programme. This can include but is not limited to, free or discounted broadband or phone services and / or a bespoke digital project that supports the organisation.

The WightFibre Connected Communities Programme is an ongoing programme, developed in 2020, and currently supporting 46 community groups, charitable organisations and special interest groups across the Island, into the future. This is part of our commitment to digital inclusion, ensuring that all sections of our Island community can participate in the increasing digitisation of society, ensuring no one is left behind. At WightFibre we support the important work of not-for-profit and community focused groups across the Island, by bringing broadband that works, to them and the communities they serve. That’s why, as we work hard to make the Island one of the best connected places on the planet, we are also making our full-fibre, ultrafast, future-proof broadband available to community groups, charitable organisations and special interest groups across the Island. Through the WightFibre Connected Communities Programme we fully or part fund the installation, rental and ongoing costs associated with bringing WightFibre broadband into community hub locations and their offices and providing FREE community WiFi to anyone in our communities visiting any of these organisations. When you visit, just ask for the WiFi password!

We currently support 46 WightFibre Connected Communities Programme members:

2nd Ryde Sea Scouts

Sandown Rotary Charity Shop

Brighstone Social Club

The Footprint Trust

Baby Box IOW

Better Days Cafe

5th Ryde Scout Group

Seventh Day Adventist Church

All Saints Church

The Isle of Wight Bus Museum

Cowes Sports Club

Gurnard Village Hall Association

John Cattle’s Skate Club C. I. C.

Shanklin United Reform Church

Johns Club

Bembridge Scouts

Tidal Family Support

1st East Cowes Scout Group

The Veterans Hub IOW

Aspire

St Helens Community Centre

Cowes Sea Cadets

Seagrove Pavilion Trust

Sight for Wight

Ryde Sea Cadets

Independent Arts Gallery

Newport Congregational Church

Classic Boat Museum Gallery – East Cowes

Isle of Wight Community Club

Ability Dogs 4 Young People

Church on the Roundabout

Baby Bank Network

Freshwater Lifeboat

Free Food In The Bay

1st Godshill & Rookley Scouts

The Apex Church

Cowes Men’s Shed

The Beckford Centre

Revive Newport

Gurnard Scout and Guide Hut

Alzheimer Café Isle of Wight

Isle of Wight Youth for Christ

Ability Dogs 4 Young People

At WightFibre, we’re passionate about giving back to our community. Through our Connected Communities Programme, we’re thrilled to welcome Ability Dogs 4 Young People IoW as one of our latest charity partners, providing them with free broadband and telephone services. This partnership reflects our commitment to helping local organisations that make a tangible difference to people’s lives here on the Isle of Wight.

Baby Box

A local community project & charity, helping Island families in need – providing nappies, baby food, clothing, and other essentials – based at the former Ventnor Youth & Community Centre in Victoria Street. The project provides support and help to families across the Isle of Wight.

Church on the roundabout

Church on the roundabout in the heart of Newport, Isle of Wight, stands a beacon of hope and support for the local community – the Church on the Roundabout. Led by Pastor Tony and his wife Sally, this church is dedicated to providing a helping hand to those in need and fostering a sense of belonging for all who walk through its doors; because they care.

At the Church on the Roundabout inclusivity and compassion are at the forefront of everything they do. With a full program of weekly activities, including their family-friendly service every Sunday at 11 am, they aim to create a welcoming space where individuals and families can come together to find solace, support, and spiritual nourishment.

WightFibre’s Connected Communities Programme has helped the Church on the roundabout to stay connected. WigthFibre’s community team are available once a month to offer those that need it, help with their digital provision, having a direct impact on the local community.

Cowes Sea Cadets

Cowes Sea Cadets aim to give young people an experience that will help them grow into the person they want to be in a safe and friendly environment. Through various activities and adventures, they teach teamwork, respect, loyalty, self-confidence, commitment, self-discipline, honesty and how to be the best version of ourselves.

We are proud to have them as part of our Connected Communities Programme funding the installation, rental and ongoing costs associated with bringing WightFibre full-fibre, ultrafast broadband into their community space.

St Helens Community Centre, IOW: Community Fridge and Warm Hub

We exist to make the world more Neighbourly and champion sustainable communities. Because global change starts locally. Neighbourly is an award-winning giving platform that helps businesses make a positive impact in their communities by donating volunteer time, money and surplus products to local good causes. We take the uncertainty out of doing good by matching what resources are available to where they are needed the most. Our intuitive platform allows businesses to coordinate their own giving programmes or tap into a managed service, from planning and distributing resources to measuring and reporting impact. So far, the Neighbourly platform has facilitated over £1 billion of impact into local communities across the UK and Ireland, with a further goal to deliver £10 billion of positive impact by 2030.

Freshwater Independent Lifeboat

Founded by local members of the community in 1972, the Freshwater Lifeboat Station is owned and operated by the Freshwater Independent Lifeboat Service and is located in the village of Freshwater, on the Isle of Wight in the United Kingdom. The organisation operates 2 lifeboats and is on call to the Coast Guard 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The FILB station covers an area up to 30 miles off shore from Hurst Point to St Catherine’s point. The service is not part of the RNLI and does not receive funding from the RNLI or the government. Our operations are entirely funded by the local community via a mix of donations, local business sponsorship, and local community grants.Our regular operations often involve helping casualty vessels in need, performing recoveries from the cliffs, searches for people or animals in distress, and providing safety overwatch from the water. On average the FILB will receive 20-30 shouts a year. Our crew volunteers generously give their time to save lives at sea in the most hazardous of sea conditions. Our ground crew volunteers work year-round to ensure that lifeboat launches/recovery is as safe as possible and that FILB equipment and Boathouse are well maintained. The shop volunteers and fundraisers make sure we have the necessary funds to continue to operate.

John Cattle’s SkateClub

A not for profit community skate club run by John Cattle. Teaching Skateboarding to anyone who wants to learn, lessons for ages from toddlers to 60+ (We stop asking for ages then!) All abilities welcome. Based at our indoor training park in Wootton, and other indoor and outdoor locations on the Isle of Wight. All Equipment provided.