By Rob Wood, HIWCF Trustee
As someone who has lived and worked in Portsmouth for over 45 years – as a business man, a former City Councillor and Lord Mayor, and now a trustee for HIWCF – I’ve seen first-hand how poverty affects people in ways that are often hidden behind the headlines. Still serving as a governor at three local ARK schools, I see the reality behind the statistics: schools and families doing their best, children with huge potential, and communities under strain.
Throughout my career, including time as portfolio holder for Children and Education Services for Portsmouth, I’ve seen the extraordinary impact that early support, education and community connection can have on someone’s future.
I’ve also seen the consequences when that support isn’t there.
Rural beauty, hidden barriers
Our region may be home to stunning coastlines and beautiful countryside, but for many people living in rural or marginalised inner-city communities, this idyll can feel out of reach. Isolation, limited transport, low income, or a lack of accessible local services that fit the real need, can make it incredibly difficult for people to access the opportunities they need to thrive. And as the cost of living continues to rise, those gaps are only widening.
That’s why I’m proud and passionate about championing HIWCF’s Give Together, Give Local campaign. Through this fund, we support the grassroots charities and community groups across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight who are helping people overcome these barriers and build better futures. From youth groups and mentoring programmes to lunch clubs and knit-and-natter groups, these local organisations are the backbone of our communities. They offer not just practical support, but human connection, hope and a sense of belonging.
The ripple effect of local support
When we help just one person gain confidence, find community, or access education and skills training, the ripple effect is huge. I’ve witnessed it in the young people I work with at our local schools – children who, when given the right encouragement and opportunities, go on to achieve more than they ever thought possible. That potential exists in every neighbourhood. We just need to nurture it.
Take Josh for example, HIWCF’s funding helped him access an employability programme tailored around his autism, developing communication and social skills – and now he’s gained employment for the first time.
I’ve also seen it time and again as a long-standing member of HIWCF’s Portsmouth grants panel. The organisations we support don’t just parachute in, they’re embedded in their communities, responding with care and understanding to local needs. They know how to stretch every pound to make the biggest difference. They deserve and need our support.
A year of pressure and resilience, and an invitation to you
We saw the continued strain on communities in 2024: the rise in energy bills, the cost of food, the pressure on families and individuals just trying to stay afloat. But we also saw resilience, creativity and compassion.
HIWCF was proud to award over a million pounds in grants to help alleviate some of the most pressing issues people face – and this fund is a key part of that response.
That need will continue into 2026 for all our local communities.
Give Together, Give Local is about more than meeting basic needs. It’s about helping people grow, connect and feel part of something bigger. It’s about giving our young people the tools to reach their potential, and our older generations the space to stay active and involved. It’s about building a region where everyone, regardless of their postcode, has the chance to flourish.
When you give to this fund, you’re not giving alone – you’re joining a growing movement of people who care about their communities and want to make a meaningful, lasting difference. This is the power of collective giving. By pooling donations together, we can reach more people and ensure that vital funding goes where it’s needed most. It’s a more strategic, impactful way to give, enabling smaller acts of generosity to become transformative change for individuals, families and neighbourhoods.
If you believe in that vision, I invite you to join us and Give Together, Give Local, because our help can create connected, inclusive communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.