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.

The Vennel Friends Irvine Discovery Group are based at the Vennel Gardens Engagement Hub. The group has been active since May 2023 and has 15 registered members. The group offers a social setting with the opportunity for participants to complete the Discovery Award, comprising of the bronze, silver and gold levels. The Group aims to enhance the lives of all those over 50 years of age and to provide an incentive, through personal challenges, to lead a happy, healthy, and active life.

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.

Irvine and District Pipe Band are looking for funding to continue our great program of free tuition to anyone who wants to learn either the bagpipes or drums associated with Scottish music.

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.