Each month we round up five of the most exciting opportunities currently available for young people living on the Isle of Wight, whether that’s from Brave Island or from other organisations we think you should get involved with! Check out our top picks for January below.
Mike Howley Trust Funding Round Opens
The Trustees of Mike Howley Trust welcome young Island creatives to apply for up to £1,500 to help them realise their creative ambitions. Funds are available for those involved in dance, theatre, film/video, music, and writing. This funding is available for 18-30-year-olds on the Isle of Wight who want to develop their skills, with awards of £500, £1000, and £1,500 available. Funding may be used towards training, coaching, recording, rehearsal space, staging, publishing, purchasing instruments/equipment, research trips, and more!
Applications open on Monday 5th January and there is a Funding Information Day on Saturday 17th Jan 10am – 2pm at Quay Arts.
You can find out more about how to submit your application or book onto the information day here.
Free Tickets and Travel to The Mayflower
We’ve organised a visit to The Mayflower in Southampton to watch Dear England, the National Theatre’s Olivier Award-winning smash hit. We’ve got free tickets up for grabs, and we’ll even cover the cost of the Red Jet too!
Dear England is a new play from the National Theatre, which tells the uplifting, at times heartbreaking, and ultimately inspiring story of Gareth Southgate’s revolutionary tenure as England manager. It’s received rave reviews from football and non-football fans alike!
Find out more and apply now here.
Free Rebel Business School Programme
The Rebel Business School is returning to the Isle of Wight, launching a free, in-person programme for creative freelancers and aspiring entrepreneurs at Building 41 in Cowes.
It’s a five week free course where you’ll explore how to build a business without upfront costs, understand tax and legal basics, develop confidence in pricing and pitching, create marketing materials, and learn how to find and reach customers – all while being supported by peers and experienced facilitators.
Rebel last supported Island residents in 2019–2020, helping 162 Islanders to start over 70 new businesses. Now re-launching in partnership with Creative Island and the Isle of Wight Council, the programme offers a fresh opportunity for anyone aged 18+ to test, launch or grow a business idea – without spending money.
Find out more and book your space here.
Introduction to Playwriting Course
This course ran by Ventnor Exchange is an introduction to the craft of writing for live performance. Whether you’ve already had a go at writing a play or you’re just looking to build the confidence to put pen to paper, this introductory course will give you a range of activities and methods to help you in your practice.
In this five week course you’ll explore how to develop characters, play structure and writing dialogue. It runs on Sunday mornings from 11am-12.30pm, starting January 11th, and costs £60.
Find out more here.
IOW Youth Trust’s Youth Voice Conference
The annual Youth Voice Conference, organised by the Isle of Wight Youth Trust, is taking place on Saturday 31st January. If you’re aged 11-24, sign up for free to go along and get your voice heard on issues like transport, health, education, and work opportunities. As well as the chance to network with organisations and other young people.
This event is free (including food!), and takes place at Castlehold Baptist Church in Newport from 10.30am – 4pm on 31st January. Book your free space here.
