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 October below.
Photography workshop with In Focus
Want to develop your photography skills? Brave Island have teamed up with In Focus Education & Development to bring their creative photography workshops to the Isle of Wight! These are FREE sessions where you can gain skills and experience using professional cameras and equipment, as well as explore other creative practices including mixed media, badge making, collage, animation and more!
These open sessions are a space for young people aged 16 – 25yrs to learn new skills, connect with others, and explore your creativity.
The first session is taking place at Ventnor Exchange on Thursday October 16th, 5:00pm-6:30pm. This is a free workshop and you don’t need to book so feel free to just turn up!
Autumn Foraging Walk
We’ve teamed up with Joseph from Fieldstudy to arrange a foraging walk exclusively for Brave Islanders! After a successful walk earlier this year in Ventnor, this time we’ll be walking into the world of Wild Food in Godshill!
This two hour session is a great opportunity to spend some time outdoors and meet new people. It will also give you the confidence to learn how to identify plants in the wild and includes information on how to photograph plants and fungi in order to identify them at home.
Find out more and sign up for Saturday’s FREE walk by clicking here
Library Craft Workshops
New Carnival is offering a range of creative workshops in seven of the island’s community libraries this October Half Term. These free workshops are aimed at young people aged 11-18 and you’ll get to keep whatever you make! You can make Zines, Dream catchers, macrame bracelets/keyrings in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere with free snacks!
You can find more information on each of these workshops on the Isle of Wight Council Library Service Facebook page. Booking is advised.
Off Book Drama Workshops
StoneCrabs Theatre are assembling a youth production team, ‘Off Book’, and are looking for enthusiastic people between the ages of 13 and 18 to join them. Off Book will focus on acting but there will also be opportunities in other areas such as film, social media, and writing.
Workshop auditions are taking place every Tuesday until October 28 at Sandown Library from 5pm to 6.30pm. No previous experience is necessary. If you are interested, fill in this form or just turn up on the day!
£1,000 Mural Commissions
Building the Bay has launched Bay Visions: Outdoor Mural Commissions! They’re awarding nine grants of £1,000 each to artists who want to create vibrant murals across Sandown, Lake, and Shanklin. The goal is to revitalise the area, so think about the Bay’s history, what’s happening now, and what the future could look like, keeping inclusion, diversity, and the environment in mind.
Local artists, this is your chance! Applications are open now. The deadline to submit your designs is 1st December, 2025. This initiative is part of the Bay Area Place Plan, connecting the three towns through culture and community. To apply, email bayvisions2025@gmail.com.
