We the 33 is an 18-month community project working across the Isle of Wight to make homes more affordable to heat, improve access to locally grown food, and create opportunities for young people.
We are currently active in 7 pilot parishes, partnering with communities to deliver in three priority areas.
Empowering young people to influence decisions and co-create local opportunities.
Connecting communities with energy advice and ways to reduce heating costs.
Creating new spaces for growing food with community and linking local growers to share knowledge and resources.
The Isle of Wight faces some of the most acute social and economic challenges of any place in England, including low wages, rising poverty, poor housing, and a young population that is leaving the Island. Yet it also has real strengths to build on, from its UNESCO Biosphere reserve status to its natural environment and communities with a long tradition of looking out for one another.
Systemic change takes time, but local action can make a difference now. When communities identify needs, share resources, and support each other, solutions work better and are more likely to stick. We the 33 helps communities to tackle challenges together and build support networks that outlast any single project.
We believe in working with communities, not imposing solutions. We listen, connect, and support communities to lead.
Communities decide what they need from the collaboration and help shape the outcomes.
A dedicated coordinator connects people across parishes, organises events, and helps signpost opportunities.
Participating parishes share successes, lessons, and resources to support each other.