Independent Arts Annual Report 2024/25 Now Available We are pleased to share Independent Arts' Annual Report for 2024/25, celebrating a year of creativity, connection and improved wellbeing across the Isle of Wight. As an Island-based creative health charity, Independent Arts uses the power of creativity to help people live healthier, happier, more connected lives. This year's report showcases the impact of that work, from community singing workshops and weekly chess groups to artists and musicians delivering sessions in more than 55 care homes across the Island. The report highlights how creative activities are supporting mental and physical wellbeing, reducing loneliness and social isolation, building confidence, and helping people find purpose, friendship and something to look forward to. Thanks to the support of our funders, donors, partners, volunteers and participants, more than 450 people every week have accessed our creative health programmes over the past year. Together, we have continued to provide essential opportunities for people of all ages to take part in quality arts activities that make a real difference to their lives. Inside the report, you'll find stories from participants, examples of innovative projects, and a closer look at how creativity is helping people and communities thrive across the Isle of Wight. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported Independent Arts throughout the year. Your support enables us to continue delivering research-backed creative health programmes that improve wellbeing and help make the Isle of Wight a healthier, happier place to live. Discover the difference creativity is making across our Island community. View Annual Report

A brand-new celebration of sport, games and community spirit is coming to the Isle of Wight this summer, helping to raise vital funds for local charities, including Independent Arts. The Wight Games Festival will take place from June to August across the Island, bringing together a wide range of activities in what organisers describe as a “joyful mash-up of traditional sports, games and quirky challenges.” From sailing, cricket and tennis to chess, colouring competitions and even welly wanging, the festival offers something for everyone. Designed as an inclusive, Island-wide event, the festival encourages people of all ages and abilities to take part, whether they are trying something new or returning to something they love. With activities that engage both mind and body, it reflects a shared focus on wellbeing, creativity and connection across the Island community.   The festival has been created by Mike Christie, founder of the Wight Proms Festival and long-time Ambassador for Independent Arts. Mike said: “It gives me enormous joy to give something back to the Island community. The Isle of Wight is packed with extraordinary clubs, groups and individuals doing brilliant things and this Festival is our chance to showcase that incredible variety. I wanted to create something where absolutely everyone can take part in something that interests them, whether it’s a traditional sport they already love or something completely unexpected that they haven’t even tried before. It’s about rethinking what we see as a ‘sport’, making the Festival fully accessible, bringing people together and, at the same time, raising money for three extremely important local charities who do amazing work on our Island.” At Independent Arts, we see the value of creativity and activity in supporting healthier, happier lives. Matt Hitt, Fundraising Manager at Independent Arts, said: “Independent Arts is an Island-based creative health charity, improving people’s health and wellbeing on the Isle of Wight through creative activities that enable people to live well and thrive. Mike Christie has been supporting Independent Arts as our Ambassador for a number of years. His support through the Wight Proms Festival has been invaluable, and his continued backing through the Wight Games Festival will help us continue delivering creative health workshops that support islanders’ mental and physical wellbeing.” The festival is free to take part in, with donations encouraged throughout. Funds raised will be shared between Mountbatten Isle of Wight, Independent Arts, and the Isle of Wight NHS Trust charity, supporting essential work across health, wellbeing and community care. Details of participating events and activities will be announced in the coming weeks. Those interested can register their interest via the festival website. Organisers hope the Wight Games Festival will become a regular fixture in the Island calendar, celebrating the diversity, creativity and community spirit that make the Isle of Wight such a special place to live. Find out more and register your interest: www.wightgames.co.uk

Independent Arts’ second annual Art Sale has raised £690 to support the charity’s creative health workshops and community programmes across the Isle of Wight. This year’s exhibition was a special one, featuring work not only from local artists but also from Independent Arts’ own practitioners, participants and staff, many of whom deliver or take part in the charity’s creative health projects in the Creative Hub, care homes and community settings across the Island. The exhibition featured a vibrant mix of mediums, including lino prints by Paul Armfield, oil paintings by Davina Smith and Trudie Wilson, photography by Julian Winslow, collage and prints by Evie Clarke, watercolours by Polly Zanardi, and ceramics and sculpture by Kirstie and Kit Hayler, alongside mixed media work by Lisa Anthony. Usually, exhibitions at Independent Arts’ Creative Hub gallery focus on artwork produced in community workshops and wellbeing projects. This special exhibition offered a one-off opportunity for local artists connected to the charity to exhibit and sell their own work, with 30% of all sales donated directly to support Independent Arts’ programmes. Ralph Ridler, Operations Manager, said: “We’re so grateful that so many of our amazing practitioners got involved and were so willing to sell their work to support the charity. It was fantastic to see so many new faces visiting the Creative Hub, taking in the exhibition, and purchasing great artwork for a good cause. The funds raised will help us to reach and support even more Island residents through our creative health programmes and workshops.” The event included a well-attended Private View evening and attracted many new visitors to the Creative Hub. Following the success of the Art Sale, Independent Arts has also expanded its retail offer at the Creative Hub on Newport High Street. The charity now stocks a small, bespoke selection of pieces by Island artists and makers, alongside their own range of creative gifts and seasonal items - with all proceeds helping to fund their work improving wellbeing through creativity. The next exhibition to open at the Creative Hub will be “Workshops for Wellbeing”, an annual showcase celebrating artwork created by residents across care and residential homes on the Isle of Wight.

We’re looking for passionate and skilled individuals to join the Independent Arts Board of Trustees. As a pioneering creative health charity on the Isle of Wight, Independent Arts uses the power of creativity to improve health and wellbeing across our community. Our work supports people of all ages to live healthier, happier and more connected lives, and we’re now seeking three new trustees to help guide and grow our impact. Who We’re Looking For As part of our planned succession programme and following a recent skills review, we’re especially interested in hearing from people with professional experience in the following areas: Healthcare or Social Prescribing Information Security / Cybersecurity Young Trustee (aged 18–25 years) We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are committed to building a diverse, inclusive board. If you need any adjustments to apply or to support your involvement as a trustee, we’d love to hear from you. Please note: due to the local focus of our work, trustees must live on the Isle of Wight. What’s Involved? Trustees are senior volunteers who support the strategic direction of the charity. The board meets four times a year at our Creative Hub in Newport (early evening), alongside some informal opportunities to get involved in events and activities. You’ll be helping to shape the future of Independent Arts, working alongside a friendly and committed team led day-to-day by our Chief Executive and staff. How to Apply If you’re interested, we’d love you to get in touch. We strongly recommend you: Read more on our Trustees page Download our Trustee Recruitment Pack for more details Request an informal chat by emailing: [email protected] To apply, please email: A cover letter explaining your interest and relevant experience A CV, if available Names and contact details of two referees Email to: [email protected]: Trustee Application What Happens Next? Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an informal interview and given the chance to observe a trustee meeting and meet the team socially before appointment. All new trustees receive a full induction, including visits to workshops and the opportunity to learn more about the charity’s day-to-day work.