FREE DIGITAL SUPPORT SERVICE FOR ISLAND RESIDENTS AGED 50+

Age UK Isle of Wight is providing digital support in your area. We provide help for those who are new to accessing digital services, as well as helping people get on-line who currently do not have any internet access.

We can loan you a smart tablet or phone (with data included) and provide one to one tuition to get you started online, safely and confidently.

If you are interested in finding out more about our digital loans scheme, please contact our Digital Support Office on (01983) 301693 or email digital@ageukiw.org.uk.

Following conversations with residents, I’ve escalated a number of planning enforcement issues around the Whitecroft Park housing estate, so we should start seeing some long overdue progress soon.

Just down the road, Thompson House is to be scheduled for demolition. Obviously, this will likely have some noise/transport impacts on the local area so I’m pushing the council to confirm dates promptly for residents and secure reassurances that demolition will be done as efficiently and sensitively as possible.

Over to the other side of the ward, myself and council staff are pushing for the clearing of a large fly-tipping site in Gunville. The landowner thus far has been unresponsive and so we’re having to pursue alternative means for progress. If you have issues of fly-tipping in your neighbourhood, please do report them on the Isle of Wight Council website.

In slightly related news, dog fouling seemingly appears to be on the rise recently. I’m currently in conversation with IWC environment officers to explore feasible deterrents and best ways to identify offenders. The majority of residents have a lot of pride in their community and sense of place and so it’s very frustrating when a small number behave inconsiderately.

On to some lighter news, Gunville Community Association are currently planning a community fun day for the start of June. The ideas discussed so far sound really great and I’m hoping we get the weather! I’ll drop some more information on this closer to the time, but it’ll be wonderful to see the community out and coming together for some fun!

As always, if you need to get in touch with myself, please use the contact details at the top of this page.

Award Winning Music Classes for Babies and Young Children

Monkey Music baby and toddler classes offer a safe, supportive and nurturing environment, where parents, carers and children meet in small groups to enjoy interactive musical activities. They have been running nationally for 30 years and the classes here on the Island are run by Katherine Green who recently relocated to the island and brought her classes with her ensuring all children have the opportunity to experience Monkey Music.

All classes are tailored specifically to support families with babies, toddlers and pre-school children aged between 3 months and 4 years of age. The classes are based around 4 stages - time to sing, time to move, time to play and time to sleep, and are designed to keep babies stimulated from start to end through the exploration of music, movement and instruments.

Rock ‘n’ Roll classes (from 3 months) gentle songs and lullabies for you both to share precious moments and songs are linked to rhythmic body movements. Sensory props to stimulate visual experience and friendly percussion instruments for those rock ‘n’ roll moments.

Heigh-Ho classes (from 12 months) they will learn action songs, catchy sounds with up beat tunes to allow them to dance freely and to practise fine motor skills using hand held percussion instruments. These classes help toddlers need for active time and quieter time for calmer activities.

Jiggety-Jig classes (2 & 3 year olds) these older toddlers have fun with their friends and develop a strong musical foundation with some songs for dressing up and telling stories to help build self-confidence. Whilst dancing and partnering with friends help the toddlers to get to know each other. Composing comes naturally to the JiggetyJiggers so with the use of props, images, music, stories and poems help inspire our little monkeys as they create and perform their own special music.

Ding – Dong classes (3 & 4 year olds) children are now ready to learn to read music - this is a huge milestone and paves the way for a bright musical future!

Monkey Music

Isle of Wight and Portsmouth

Sharing precious time together

Age specific interactive music educational classes for babies and toddlers aged 3 months- 4 years with a progressive curricula. Classes to help development and confidence whilst having lots of fun.

For more information and to book your first FREE class please visit: www.monkeymusic.co.uk/area/isle-wight-portsmouth alternatively call Katherine on 01983 240352 or email iow.portsmouth@monkeymusic.co.uk

For more information, please see their main advert and don’t forget the FIRST CLASS IS FREE.