We have the opportunity to provide our 16 pupils in the P4 and P5 class with 8 weekly swimming lessons. These lessons are offered during school time as an extra opportunity beyond what the school can offer for their PE lessons. 

Learning to swim is a vital life skill that helps to keep children safe, and it is also a fantastic opportunity for our children to learn a new sport, increase their physical acitivity and gain new skills and confidence. Our students told us that swimming lessons are often their "favourite PE lessons" and that they "hope that everyone get a chance to have swimming lessons with Sally, because she's really good and really fun". They said that swimming lessons gave them the chance to learn and try new things and that they were really pleased because they surprised themselves with how good they were at it. Parents told us that learning to swim and being safe in the water felt especially important for children growing up in a coastal setting, but that there are limited opportunities to access proper swimming lessons on the island. They also told us that swimming lessons and/or taking your children swimming is one of the most expensive acitivites available to children and families, and the cost is often what prevents them from doing so more regularly. As such, these lessons are a mechanism to make learning to swim accessible to more of our children.

Whilst we have worked with the facilities provider to keep costs to a minimum, the cost of providing swmmming lessons has had to increase this year. The parent council will be funding the cost of the first swimming instructor separately, and we are applying to cover the additional costs of hiring the pool facilities, a second swimming instructor necessary to meet safety requirements, and transport for the children. These costs amount to:

Pool hire ( 8 sessions for 16 pupils): £512

Second instructor: £200

Transport hire (Kilmory Community Bus): £280

Total: £992

Thank you for considering us

We aim to further enhance Arran's community gardens and green spaces through continued development of different models forest garden principles and no-dig techniques. This project will increase biodiversity, improve soil health, and boost local food production. Our team will use this funding to provide on-the-ground sessions on forest garden design and no-dig methods, and supply essential materials to participating gardens for the 2024/2025 season.

Cost Breakdown:

• Organic compost and mulch: £400
• Organic seeds and seedlings (fruit trees, shrubs, perennials): £250
• Tools (e.g., broadforks, sheet mulching materials): £150
• Transportation costs for materials (including bringing pallets of compost by ferry to Arran): £100
• Workshop materials and printing costs: £50
• Signage for educational purposes: £50

Total: £1,000

This project will empower Arran's communities to create sustainable, productive landscapes while promoting ecological awareness and community resilience.

arransound.com's volunteers want to use the radios outreach abilities to find and meet all those of whatever age and situation on the island who may be facing isolation  or lonliness due to circumstances outwith their control, be it distance , financial, illness or disability, the duties of caring or restrictions of work.  We want to meet and listen to their concerns and needs. To hear and record their ideas and suggestions for dealing with and overcoming those obsticals to inclusion and community envolvment.    Building connections accross the Island, strenthening and fostering our community  as more of our residents find their voices and see the physical and mental health benefits that can come from simply talking to each other.

Outreach, google notes ; ' is the activity of providing services to any population that might not otherwise have access to those services. A key component of outreach is that the group providing it is not stationary, but mobile; in other words, it involves meeting someone in need of an outreach service at the location where they are. '  

Visiting every village, forging strong relationships and  volunteer engagement with the  station,  building that peerless attribute, community spirit. 

Community; 'a social unit, with shared a shared socially-significant characteristic, such as place, culture or customs'.  Inclusion and involvement with others around us is necessary for our health and well-being,  Human beings need human beings to thrive. Community means the involvemnt of all those within it.  Our volunteers intend to use the road shows to reach and involve as many members of Arran's community as possible, making friends, sharing ideas, learning new skills  and having lots of fun. We will be offering friendship, introduction to new and varied ideas alongside basic technical training and the opportunity to increase skills in many different ways and the simple   joy of conversation, enquiry and knowledge gained.  

Inviting Eco Savvy, the Repair Cafe and the community projects to join us we will broaden our offering to the community   on a regular basis  to help combat the lonliness and isolation still so prevalent on the island.

One Branded, all weather heavy duty pop up tent with ground stablisers against the wind., necesssary to cope with Arran weather   

1. Cost of one  Tent         x 1                                                                                                  £699.            £699
2. Cost of heavy duty groundsheet  for tent    x 1                                                                  £40               £40                                                                                                                               
3. Cost of one Soundproofing Vocal Booth, microphone reflection  x1.                                 £50.   x2 .     £100.   one for interviewer and one for interviewee.
4. Cost of   TP-Link 300Mbps 4G WiFi Router, x 1.                                                               £40
5. Cost of one roll of Cathpetic soundproofing x1.                                                                 £13.    x2.      £26
6. Total cost £905                                                                                                                  £905. pounds sterling

Project Overview:

We are seeking funding to purchase belay devices for the Mountain Rescue Team, an essential piece of technical rescue equipment used to safely control ropes during rescue operations. Belay devices are critical in helping manage abseiling and climbing activities, enabling rescuers to assist individuals in hazardous terrain with minimal physical effort. These devices provide friction on the rope, ensuring controlled descents and the ability to arrest falls, making rescues safer and more efficient.

Objective:

Our objective is to improve the safety and efficiency of the Mountain Rescue Team's operations by equipping our volunteers with advanced belay devices. This will enhance our ability to perform rescues in challenging environments and ensure that our team can assist climbers, hikers, and those in distress, regardless of the complexity of the terrain.

Alignment with Funding Criteria:

1. Health and Wellbeing:

   The Mountain Rescue Team plays a crucial role in ensuring the physical safety and wellbeing of individuals engaged in outdoor activities. Our work directly impacts the health of both those we rescue and our volunteers. Belay devices enable safer rescues, reducing the risk of injury or harm to both the victim and the rescuer. In addition, by providing a safer framework for rescue operations, these devices help reduce the physical strain and stress experienced by volunteers, contributing to their long-term mental and physical wellbeing. By supporting the wellbeing of those involved in mountain activities, we also promote a healthier community that is more active and connected to nature.

2. Building Community Spirit:

   The Mountain Rescue Team is comprised entirely of volunteers who are dedicated to serving their local communities. By providing us with essential rescue equipment, this grant would enable us to respond more effectively to emergency situations, fostering community cohesion and trust. The presence of a well-equipped, highly trained rescue team helps build a sense of safety and support within the community. Moreover, as our team is involved in public awareness events and training sessions, having belay devices would allow us to engage more people in safety skills and promote volunteerism, helping to build resilience and connections within the community.

3. Green Projects:

   Mountain Rescue work is inherently tied to the natural environment. By ensuring our team is equipped with appropriate belay devices, we can more safely conduct rescues in fragile and remote areas, minimizing our impact on the environment. Our team also promotes outdoor activities such as climbing and hiking in a safe and sustainable way, encouraging a connection with the natural environment. Supporting our team with updated equipment would help raise awareness about the importance of respecting and preserving the natural world during outdoor pursuits.

Budget Request:

We are requesting a grant to cover the purchase of belay devices for our team. These devices are crucial for our technical rescue operations, and the funding will allow us to acquire high-quality, durable equipment. The total estimated cost for the necessary belay devices is £700, which will enable us to outfit our rescue volunteers with the tools they need for safe and effective operations.

Conclusion:

The Mountain Rescue Team provides a vital service to the community, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of those engaged in outdoor activities. By supporting this application, you will help improve the safety of both our volunteers and the individuals we rescue, while also promoting community cohesion and environmental stewardship. We are confident that this project aligns with the key criteria of health and wellbeing, community building, and environmental awareness, and we appreciate your consideration for this grant.

Honey extraction, although a rewarding process, is also physically demanding and often leads beginner beekeepers to give up the hobby after just a few seasons.

Mechanical means of extraction are available in the form of electrically powered spinners, however, they are an expensive investment beyond the means of most amateur beekeepers.

Arran Bee Group members are non-commercial beekeepers who, although they may sell their harvested honey, this is more often than not at a financial loss. Any monies recouped may even be donated to charity, for example, one of our North End members supports the charity Mary's Meals.

A grant for the purchase of an electric spinner would increase the supply of affordable, locally produced honey to the island community and beyond, delivering the health benefits of this delicious natural superfood, while contributing to the health and wellbeing of this growing group with all its environmental benefits.

The main aim of Art in Mind is to reduce social isolation, providing a safe and relaxed environment where people can socialise, while being creative. Over the years, this has increased the confidence of individuals attending, and enhanced their feelings of well-being. There is no time limit, so some people have been coming for the twenty years, others come and go, but they all know that the door is open for them to return.

There is a relaxed, friendly and sometimes really industrious atmosphere, not to mention frequent doses of laughter! Time can be spent in group activity and doing your own ‘thing’, with plenty of help, support and advice – often achieving great results.

Some of the comments about the group have been;

‘I enjoy having a purpose and doing homework for the group. It reminds me of going to school, which I loved. I feel better on Saturdays and Sundays when I’ve been to Aim on a Friday’

‘Being able to be myself, friendship, acceptance, understanding, feeling for the first time in my life that I belonged somewhere’.

‘Meeting up with like-minded people, and doing art in a relaxed atmosphere’

  The second group started in December 2023, and both groups continue to meet every week, enjoying a wide range of creative pursuits under the guidance of a tutor. One group meets in the Ranger Centre, within National Trust's Brodick Castle Grounds. The other uses  part of Brodick village Hall. Transport from the ACVS Transport scheme, assists some members to attand, as well as some Art in Mind  Volunteer drivers. Both groups are supported by volunteers who take part in the art activities and help the tutor with materials and setting up the venue etc. The grant from Arran Community Council's Scottish Power Renewables Fund, has made this possible, but in reality has not been sufficient . There is a second year of funding due in October 2024, and Arran Visual Arts intend to advise them of the shortfall. However, the time allowed for the Coordinator of 3 hours per week, has not been enough, and the Art Materials requested by the different Tutors, and cost of ACVS transport,  has cost more than originally anticipated.

Arran Council for Voluntary Services Transport costs approx £30 per month  = £360

Art Materials    Clay  £40, Paper  £80,  Paints £40   =  £160

Additional Coordinator Hours  2 hours @ £20 per hour, per month = £480

Total  £1,000

Arran Dogs (SC053020) is a newly formed Scottish Registered Charity (registered in Dec 2023) with the aim of promoting responsible dog ownership, training and education. We are focused on ensuring that our facilities and training are accessible to all, regardless of age or  abilities so that all can benefit from the positive impact dog ownership has on physical and mental well being.

While Arran is rich in open areas such as countryside, forest paths and beaches for exercising dogs, these are generally not suitable for people with impaired mobility (or sight/ senses) or dogs that cannot be exercised off-lead or mix with other dogs.  As a consequence, both these owners and dogs miss out on valuable bonding and exercise opportunities, with the mental health and well-being benefits this brings.

We have just opened Arran’s only secure dog field which is free to use, and bookable online for hourly use.

Our field is open to residents and visitors. We estimate that there are 2000 owned dogs resident on Arran and approximately 3795 visiting dogs. (Source: Arran Vets and Auchrannie).  Initial bookings and feedback since opening a month ago have already shown this to be an in-demand and appreciated resource with 27 residents and 8 visitors booking in our first week. 

This has enhanced the facilities available to the Arran dog community and visitors to the island. This is ideal for owners with elderly or reactive dogs, poor recall or just need to recover from injury in a safe space.

The field is also used for Arran Dogs’ lifeskills dog training classes which will help with building a sense of community involvement and so reducing social isolation by encouraging dog owners to meet likeminded people.

The field is now open to the public. Our aim is to make it more inclusive by adding accessible paths which will facilitate movement around the field for those with impaired mobility. This will then provide an opportunity to exercise their dogs in a secure place or to be able to participate in our weekly training classes along with the wider Arran dog training community.  

 The anticipated cost of the paths is £5700. We propose funding this by:

  - applying for £1000 from the Local Participatory Budget Fund

 – match funding with an application for £4000 from the Community Benefit Fund

  – match funding of £700 (and any extra required) from our own fundraising and donations.