The Isle of Wight Youth Trust (IOWYT) has been awarded one of this year’s highly coveted GSK IMPACT Awards, in recognition of its exceptional work supporting the mental health and emotional wellbeing of children and young people on the Isle of Wight. This prestigious award, which is part of a rigorous selection process, celebrates outstanding small and medium-sized charities working to improve health and wellbeing in the UK.
The Isle of Wight is home to over 25,000 children and young people under the age of 19, with many facing significant challenges related to mental health and deprivation. The judges praised IOWYT’s innovative approach, particularly its youth-led wellbeing services and therapeutic support aimed at addressing these issues.
A Rigorous Selection Process
IOWYT was chosen from a record number of applicants to become one of the ten winners of the 2025 GSK IMPACT Awards. Now in its 28th year, the GSK IMPACT Awards, in partnership with The King’s Fund, recognize charities that demonstrate excellence in improving public health and community wellbeing. As part of their recognition, IOWYT will receive £40,000 in unrestricted funding, along with a place on a leadership development program provided by The King’s Fund.
The charity’s work, particularly the opening of The Hub in 2024, impressed the award judges. The Hub serves as a “one-stop shop” for integrated support, offering services like drop-in sessions, housing and employment help, and activities such as Snack and Chats for young people to connect with one another. These services are designed to provide non-clinical support, reducing the strain on NHS services and offering early intervention to prevent more serious mental health issues.
Holistic and Preventative Support
The charity’s new The Hub is part of a wider package of services, including art therapy, play therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and self-guided therapy. These services are pivotal in providing holistic and preventative care to young people who need support before their mental health challenges escalate.
In its first nine months, The Hub has engaged 298 young people, with 156 of them now in employment or training. The centre aims to help 250 unemployed young people aged 18–25 in its first year. This emphasis on practical support, alongside therapeutic services, exemplifies IOWYT’s commitment to addressing the full spectrum of young people’s needs.
Building Strong Partnerships and Involving Youth in Service Design
The judges were particularly impressed by the strong, positive partnerships IOWYT has developed with statutory services across the island. The charity collaborates with social care teams, the Island’s Youth Justice Service, and local schools, providing integrated support to children in care and those at risk of criminal involvement. Moreover, the charity’s involvement of young people in service design through its Youth Mental Health Taskforce ensures that services are aligned with the real needs of the young people they aim to support.
One such initiative that stemmed from the Youth Mental Health Taskforce is The Travelling Safe Space, which organizes social activities such as tree-climbing, kayaking, and beach clean-ups to foster a sense of belonging among young Islanders.
Recognizing the Efforts of the Youth Taskforce
Jo Dare, CEO of Isle of Wight Youth Trust, expressed excitement and pride in receiving the award. “We are thrilled to be recognized with a GSK/King’s Fund IMPACT Award,” Dare said. “This award not only highlights our work within the community but also gives us the opportunity to challenge our thinking and improve our services through the leadership development programme.”
She also took the opportunity to pay tribute to the charity’s Youth Taskforce, whose efforts in shaping the services were central to IOWYT’s success.
Looking Forward: Leadership Development and Continued Impact
The GSK IMPACT Awards are known for developing leaders within the charity sector, and IOWYT’s participation in the leadership development program will further strengthen the charity’s ability to improve mental health services for young people on the Isle of Wight. This recognition affirms the positive and lasting impact that IOWYT is making on the lives of young people and their mental wellbeing.
The charity’s work stands as an example of how early intervention, holistic support, and the active involvement of young people can create meaningful, long-term change in mental health services.
