Working alongside a local artist we will run two groups in the Irvine area focusing on improving mental health and wellbeing through the use of creative arts. One group (5 sessions) will be for Kinship carers and 5 Kinship family sessions.

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.

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.

Children 1st staff is applying on behalf of group. Our coffee and connect group was originally created by Children 1st at the start of 2023 after they were successful in money for their local community. The reason for the group was because parents and carers felt like there was no opportunity to connect with others in their area. Since then, we have grown into a consistent and strong group who meet on a weekly basis at Children 1st space in Bourtreehill. We all have our own family story

We would like to have an afternoon tea for our members. All funds raised would go towards this. An award of £750 would be greatly appreciated.

1. Annually, during January and February Irvine Burns Club invites local primary school Primary 6 pupils (450 in 2024) to Wellwood Burns Centre & Museum to learn about the life of Burns and the pivotal role Irvine played encouraging him to develop as a poet. 2. By entering a “Champion of Champion” event, Primary Schools demonstrate their pupils’ reading and speaking skills, boosting their self-confidence and fostering an appreciation of the Scots language.

Curryoke Night . Friends of Trindlemoss is a group made up of parents, family, carers and people with learning disabilities who access Trindlemoss Day opportunities. The group was formed to fund raise money to purchase equipment, raise money for outing that gives people with learning disabilities new experiences like recently some of the group had a speed boat experience. The group will hold events throughout the year and the parents will have the opportunity to meet and build friendships.