On September 7th, I am swimming the Dart 10K open water marathon swim, for Network Ryde who do so much to support the young people of their community.

Network Ryde provides a range of sessions for young people 6 days a week including drop-in, wellbeing, Short Breaks sessions for young people with disabilities and also have an allotment nearby and run weekly sessions where young people can be close to nature and work outdoors. We have a robust safeguarding process in place and regularly participate in multi-agency meetings, Child Protection Conferences and Early Help meetings.

Network Ryde is also an Open Award Centre for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and run Bronze, Silver and Gold Groups and currently have 50 young people enrolled on the Award at different levels. We offer 1 to 1 sessions for young people needing more intensive support with the appropriate referrals to other agencies as required supporting with mental health, accessing the Police and support with education. We have previously run targeted sessions at our allotment for young people at risk of school exclusion, anti-social behaviour and at risk of entrance into the youth justice system, funded by the Violence Reduction Unit on the Isle of Wight.

The money raised here will be used specifically to give young people the opportunity of swimming lessons and rookie lifeguard courses.

£140 would allow us to hire a pool for 1 ½ hours for young people to use

£16 would buy a private swimming lesson for 1 young person

£20 would buy a private swimming lesson for 2 young people