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.

Research on gardening has shown that 'getting your hands in the soil’ offers multiple health benefits, particularly reducing anxiety and depression. Heather Lodge CIC has received funding from the Scottish Government’s Mental Health and Well-being Fund during the last three years to offer outdoor well-being activities.

Participants in a Therapeutic Gardening Group take part in gardening tasks from spring to autumn with an experienced and qualified Educational Gardener. These sessions take place in the Heather Lodge garden and include learning how to grow flowers, fruit and vegetables using wildlife-friendly methods. The programme accepts referrals from GPs, social workers, OTs and other health professionals. It is also possible for individuals just to self-refer.

In addition to health benefits, participants describe the value of the social contact which this activity gives them. They can also learn how to grow some food for themselves. We would like to offer these benefits more widely in the Arran community.

We already have disabled-friendly raised beds and other parts of the garden for this work. Experience over the last few years has shown that acquiring a greenhouse would expand opportunities for groups by providing a protected area for propagating seeds and young plants, and also offering a sheltered workspace for elderly and disabled participants during periods of poor weather.

We have already prepared a solid base for erecting a greenhouse. We are now seeking to source a 6’ x 10’ greenhouse. Options which are safe and suitable for use by groups and robust enough for an exposed site cost in the region of £1000 including delivery. The CIC envisages being able to meet any costs over £1000, if necessary, from donations or general income. The structure will be erected by volunteers. It will offer a potential working life of 10+ years and should become a real asset for the community.

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.

AFC has formed to maintain social connections and support for older people on Arran, following the cessation of the Well Being Café in September 2024. The group plans to run fortnightly café-style meetings to support the health and wellbeing of older people (and their carers/family) on Arran by reducing social isolation and loneliness and empowering members to build a supportive community. The meetings will be held in church /village halls and support will be delivered in a relaxed and supportive environment, both by peers, volunteers, individuals and organisations.

The new group aims to increase its impact and reach by working more broadly with organisations and services on Arran and is looking to address barriers that may prevent older people attending the cafes and encourage new members.

What do we need:

In this bid, we are seeking funding to enable us to hire a hall to run a café in an additional location and to provide resources to cover meeting costs (venue hire, a healthy soup and bread lunch, activities, external practitioners, photocopying and cleaning materials) in the short term (up to a year) whilst we move towards a self-funding position. Whilst opportunity to meet in a safe, warm space underpins these meetings, the provision of healthy refreshments and games and activities that promote mental and physical wellbeing, significantly enhance the benefit and impact of the cafes but are funding dependent in the short term. We are proposing a nutritious low-cost soup and bread light lunch on arrival to ensure our members have a hot meal in the middle of the day.  Previous sessions involving external practitioners have also proved very successful and we are keen to build on this success with a diverse and engaging programme of activities as funds permit moving forwards. 

Breakdown of costs: 

Based on 22 meetings per annum; we could hold the first 9 at our fixed base and then seek to hold the remainder in different locations and so support more members.

13 meetings p.a. @ 3hours hall hire at (typically) £14/hour = £546

Refreshments and snacks (22 meetings @£1/ head) @£20/ meeting = £440

Photocopying of games/ word searches etc (22 meetings @ £5) = £110

Board games and books = £70

Cleaning materials = £50

First aid kit = £30

External mental and physical health activity practitioners: musicians/physical activity teacher/holistic therapist (estimate) £120

Total estimated costs: £1366

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.

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

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.

We would spend the funding on the lunch. We expect 100 guests and the venue requires £22 per head so the £1000 would soon be swallowed up.In addition we also have to pay for invitations, postage, gifts ect which we hold funds for from our raffle at last years Senior Citizens Christmas Lunch.

We are a constituted voluntary body that has been providing outings and Christmas lunches for 50 years promoting local life and community wellbeing.