Choices Community Shop is a community food project set up by volunteers in the community to provide food with dignity to those in need. The funding will be used to help reduce the impact of poverty within the community based on individual needs. Our Community Shop has capacity to support approximately 100 households per week but with over 400 registered, many have to wait. This grant will allow for more households to be able to get support when they need it by getting access as required.

Castlepark Primary Parent Council are planning to run an after-school 'Family Hub'. We will run workshops with different themes each week, including ‘help with homework’ and ‘family fun’. A healthy meal or snack will also be provided. Our aim is to support family learning, engage with the local community and promote health and wellbeing. This will be free of charge to those who attend.

We are looking for funding to put towards the club, it helps bring young people off the streets and learn how to look after their wellbeing. The club is open to everyone aged 5-95.

Irvine Clean Up Crew are an established environmentally focussed community group. We want to raise our engagement with schools and community groups to help with our group’s goal of a litter free Irvine.

We are a North Ayrshire based mental health charity that supports children and young people to rediscover hope and happiness through theraputic interventions. We intend to run a session for parents of young people that we support to promote physical and mental wellbeing. The Parent Wellbeing and Health Event will be open to adults and parents of young children.

Crossing Together Toddlers was formed in March 2024 following the project being approached by two local new parents who felt there was a need for a group locally in Bourtreehill. Both mums are now lead participants along with our Mission Pioneer in running the weekly sessions on Tuesday mornings for 2 hours at the Relief Mission Centre. The group quickly reached capacity of 40 babies/toddlers who attend with a least one adult per child. The sessions are free to ensure it is accessible to all.

Vennel Gardens Entertainment Committee aims to provide weekly social events for residents of Vennel Gardens Sheltered Housing and wider community members to help reduce social isolation and enhance health and well being. The group has been active for over a year now and has over 50 members who attend weekly activities such as lunch clubs, live entertainment and bingo afternoons.

As planned the Irvine Sharks have established in their first year a senior men’s basketball team made up of members all approaching 40 or over. Many who had been inactive over the past years. This has led to a dramatic boost in members physical and mental health. The men’s team completed the season winning the Strathclyde Basketball League Division 3 18-0 and have received promotion to Division 2.