A family funday in McGavin Park promoting all that the park has to offer. Activities and family fun with music on stage, children's entertainers and try it sessions from local groups and KA Leisure.  £1000 asked for contribution to costs.  Public Liabity Insurance

Stage Hire and contribution to entertainers 

2 children's entertainers for seperate shows. 

The Whitehirst Park & Woodside Community Centre Association would like to host a community get together at Christmas and Easter to get local residents together and rebuild some of the community spirit that has been lost over the last few years, especially due to Covid lock-downs. We envisage a Christmas event which will include local school singing Xmas carol's, free non-alcoholic refreshments with cakes and sandwiches and a Christmas movie in the main hall.  The Easter event will be something similar with an egg hunt for the children and potnetially a baking competition.

Most of the cost will be covered by the WHP Association funds, but would like to ask for funding for the catering items (beverages snadwiches, cakes and snacks). The actual catering/serving will be done by volunteers at no cost.

We have created an inclusive environment for all involved in our group. Whilst completeing the challenges involved in the awards our group give back to the community through chosen volunteering opportunities. Our group has provided a social lifeline for many members and it gives us the chance to visit different places throughout Scotland and connect with local history. This is turn positively impacts the health and wellbeing of our group memebers to help promote an active and healthy lifestyle by offering challenges that both stimulate and motivate. We have been able to access free opportunities and museums through the national trust this has not impacted our members finanically. However, we would love to be able to go further afield and access new experiences together as a group. This money would allow us us to continue to provide an inclusive environment for all our members by covering the costs and allowing equal access to aopportunities wavering financial limitations. We hope to use this money to continue to work together as a group providing key support and care to each other with the benefit of sharing new and exciting experiences togther. 

We hope to access different places such as Dumfries house, this is a place where many of our members have wanted to visit but due to financial limitations, we have been unable to do so. We would also like to go over to Millport to share a day trip together and celebrating completeing different parts of our discovery awards and have an end trip bedore the group break up for summer. 

We would also like to celebrate burns day as many of our group have an interest in the local history of burns and his poetry. We would like to come together and share this day as a group. We would also like to support or local community pantomime and attend this together; this will allow us the confidence to attend in the evening and increase our social inclusion as well as experiencing the nostaligia of a Christmas pantomime. 

As a group we have really gelled, and we enjoy spending time togethe. The friendships that have formed through the Discovery award have spilled into the private lives of our members who regularly meet up out with the group environment creating a bigger support network for everyone involved. This award group has opened social opportunties for all involved having such a positive effect on the mental health and wellbeing of the group 

Dumfries House £260

Pantomime £120

Millport Ferry £65

Millport Lunch £200

Burns supper/Location and Food £325

We are looking for help with funding to purchase new beginners equipment and targets to allow us to continue to provide beginners courses for anyone over the age of 9 years old. Our beginner's course is a 6 week program to introduce people to the sport of archery. Archery is one of the most inclusive and accessible sports for people of all ages and abilities. 

Any funding we are allocated would be used for new beginners equipment and targets to replace worn and outdated equipment. 

A full beginners set up costs around £300 and a single target can cost up to £360. We as a club have just invested in 6 full kits. We are looking to purchase 3 new targets to replace worn out ones that are over ten years old. With any extra funding going to purchase extra limbs for the new beginners bows to allow us to tailor them more to each individual archer.  Any funding would be a great help in affording us the ability to bring our sport to a greater number of the local community.  

Archery has many proven benefits for health and wellbeing, some of which are: 

Physical exercise: Archery can burn calories and tone muscles in your arms, back, chest, hands, and rotator cuffs.

Mental health: Archery  is proven to provide a meditative state of mind which can help you relax, decrease stress, and improve your mood. It can also help you focus on the present moment and ignore distractions.

Social benefits: Archery can be a social sport where you can make friends with like-minded people.

Self-confidence: Seeing yourself progress can help build your confidence. Coordination and balance: Archery requires focus and concentration. 

Three of our current junior members have progressed from novice archers to competing at a club and local level and progressed even further to compete at a national level representing Scotland as under 21s. Two of those have also represented Scotland at senior level being selected for the national team at the Home Nations Championships.

We have provided 'come and try' sessions, at local schools, and our own archery range. Mainly in association with KA Leisure (North Ayrshire Council), but sometimes at the request of other organisations such as local Scout groups. We also provide archery sessions for Clan Hunter gatherings, at the Hunterston Estate.

Our Society has two unique competitions. The first is our Kilwinning Round, where archers shoot at a 9" target, set at 30 yards. Scoring is 3,2,1. The second is our Papingo, where archers shoot over 100 feet, vertically, at a wooden bird, set on a pole on the Kilwinning Abbey Tower. This competition has been recorded from the 15th century, and it is thought it goes back even further in time. This competition was featured by Michael Portillo, in his "Great British Railway Journeys" series. Members compete, annually, to be captain of the Society. The new captain is awarded a silver medal that is attached to the Society's Silver Arrow Trophy. This is an impressive silver trophy, with medals dating back to 1695.

Initially formed in May 2024, we are in the process on gaining more members to form a much-needed Community Shed in Kilwinning. Currently we have 21 members. We are currently trying to establish a Shed where community members can meet up with others, work on projects, and share creative skills and interests. This can be to work on a projects that may include woodworking, gardening, art, computing, or whatever our members would like. It will be a member led organisation aiming to provide whatever tools we can in order to help maintain community spirit, overcome social isolation, and improve the health and wellbeing of our members. Some of our members are retired and may experience loneliness. Even if they can visit the Community Shed just for a cup of tea it could help them greatly. We currently have the offer of the temporary use of a hall until we move to a permanent location. In order to get us started, we are keen to start working on small projects such as wooden planters and bird boxes, hence the need for some tools and materials. We have some members that interested in model making, therefore some model making kits would be great to get our members started. We would also like to provide the opportunity for socialising, therefore the board games would be a vital part in that. We are also keen to organise a visit to another well established Shed such as Dalbeattie Mens Shed, in order to research the potential for the development of our own Shed. We are looking for funding to cover the costs of a Minibus hire and fuel costs for the visit. As we are a new organisation, we have limited funds to get started, therefore we need some assistance in getting us off the ground. The funding would assist us in the purchase of the following:

Woodwork Tools (Hammers/Saws/Screwdrivers, etc): £330 Materials/Wood: £300 Model making kits: £100

Board Games: £70 Minibus Hire/Fuel: £200 Total: £1000

We as a group support ech other and our children to explore our emotions and feelings. Many of our group members share collective experiences, this has made it easier to be honest with each other and creaate relationships. This allows us to build toolkits that support each indiviual family. This group hs become a safe space for many of us and has had such a positive impact on our mental health and wellbeing. This group supports people from all over North Ayrshire to come together, meet likeminded individuals and support mental health whilst focussing on topics such as anxiety and resilience.  We have been able to bring alot of people in to speak to our group members that include First Aid, Nest and other information sessions. This has allowed us to build our own knowledge in promoting positive mental health for people within our community.

We hope to use this money to continue to support our group members by providing added resources that will benefit the families within our group. We hope to buy more visual representations of emotions that will allow us to create a more inclusive environment meaning all children will learn more about their own wellbeing.

We also hope to use this money to allow us to celebrate our groups and provide opportunities to share new experiences. We hope to be able to go on a group trip where we can have fun and spend time with each other outwith our usual environment. This money would help us minimse costs and again encourage inclusivity. We hope that this money wil cover the cost so everyone in the group can get involved and no one is left behind due to finiancial constraints.

This group has been a lifeline to many people, and we have successfully run over the last two years. Applying for funding will allow us to enrich the experience of our members and continue to build the knowledge of our families.

Break down of costs -

£400 trip - venue tbc

£300 - resources

£200 - visitors

£100 - food

Our group is currently reliant on photocopied images and second-hand watercolours for our sessions. While these resources have allowed us to get started, we believe that having access to new, high-quality materials would significantly enhance our learning experience. With a wider variety of art supplies, including fresh paints, brushes, and canvases, we can develop our skills more effectively and grow together as a group. This funding would help us build confidence in our abilities and take our creativity to the next level. Your support would be greatly appreciated in helping us achieve our artistic goals.

We have created a list of materials we feel would benefit us;-

paint by number canvas - £5.99 x 24 - £143.76

watercolour paint set 24 - £19.98 x 6 - £119.88

Artist brush set - £8.99 x 2 - £17.98

Canvas milti pack - £12.99 x 5 - £64.95

total - £346.57

Choose Kilwinning is a voluntary community group comprising of local businesses, residents and representatives from various organisations in Kilwinning.  We organise and fund 2 major annual events in our town - The Segdoune Gala in May & Christmas Lights Switch On in late November. Each of these events are extremely well attended and very much enjoyed by all ages in our community. 

Our Christmas Lights Switch On has been a tradition for many years, bringing festive joy and cheer to our town and the wider Ayrshire population.  The day is a major event with free music & entertainment, market stalls, Santa’s Grotto and many activities for all ages, culminating in our Main Street being lit-up with Christmas lights. We strive to keep the event as a fun filled family day rather than a day that has high financial outlay for parents or individuals.

These events are possible thanks to unceasing fund-raising activities by Choose Kilwinning throughout the year. Choose Kilwinning cover all expenses for the day including security, required licences, electricity supply, entertainment and on-the-day running costs. The Christmas lights themselves are owned by Choose Kilwinning, however North Ayrshire Council (NAC) have previously erected, tested and stored the lights from the Council budget.  Sadly, this is not the case for 2024 as budget constraints within NAC have resulted in this vital funding being unavailable.  NAC has agreed to carry out all of the above actions to ensure the lights are safe and in place for our Switch On, but this is going to result in an additional cost of £8,500 for Choose Kilwinning. We have also contacted two external companies who can provide the service, but again there would be extra costs of £5364 or £8394. 

Choose Kilwinning are determined that our Main Street and Town Centre will be lit up this Christmas and are seeking help in raising the desired amount. Without more funding Choose Kilwinning will struggle to meet this figure and our Main Street and Town Centre might not have Christmas Lights throughout the run up to and during the festive period.  This would be hugely detrimental to morale and mental well-being within our community and could also have a significant impact on our local traders.  Any funding received from the PB would go towards meeting this amount. 

Costings are attached under documents. 

The organisations plan for this is to have four separate provisions to hold these breakfasts. This would allow more families to be able to attend. We have also thught of doing the first one as an ASN breakfast with lower lighting and music turned down and any other areas we need to reduce over stimulation. We would have each of these four sessions last 1 hour 30 minutes and plan to hold then on the 7th and 8th of December 2024 with each session for 60 kids and 15 adults approximately. This means we can reach 120 kids each day so 240 in total although this can be extended slightly to meet demand. We will be offering waffles, pancakes, toast, cereal along with juice, water and milk. Hot drinks and these food options will also be available for the adults. We are looking to buy an industrial toaster for this event however we will use it thereafter in the hall for people of all ages. 

Industrial toaster conveyer style £399.00

Waffles, pancakes, bread, cereal £232.00

Juice, water and milk, £54.00

Tea, coffee and hot chocolate £33.00

Gift for kids £240

Total cost £958.00

Our community will soon have access to a range of workshops designed to teach mindfulness approaches for coping with daily struggles, stresses, social barriers, and poor mental well-being. Our directors are qualified holistic therapists that can provide, drum healing, sound healing, reiki, massage, reflexology, therapuetic art.  Also we hold qualifications in education and social services with a vast range of work experience that has built our knowledge of the challenges that many face within our area.

The workshops will be open to everyone, providing a safe and supportive environment where individuals are acknowledged and listened to. Participants will have the opportunity to learn new skills, connect with others who share similar interests, and, where possible, link up with local community hubs and centers to access additional services and support. This initiative is designed to prevent social isolation by encouraging healthy daily routines and giving people a reason to engage with their community.

A sense of purpose will help those struggling to realize their potential and build confidence to contribute to their community. For individuals or families living alone, in poverty, or facing social, emotional, or mental challenges, these services and activities will enhance well-being, enabling them to better care for themselves and their families, and take pride in their local area. Collaborating with other services and local groups will foster a positive community spirit and promote a better understanding of self-care, healthy lifestyles, and a positive outlook for both themselves and their neighbours.

Therapeutic art will also be a key component of the initiative, helping individuals better understand their thoughts and emotions. This creative outlet can significantly improve mental health by offering a safe space to express stress and anxiety while introducing accessible skills that can be practiced at home.

Community members will have access to sessions and holistic therapies designed to promote calmness, relaxation, and stress relief. These sessions will be available to everyone and can be accessed in venue with in Kilwinning or within the comfort of their own homes. By offering home-based sessions, we ensure that even those who find it difficult to socialize or leave their homes can benefit, helping to build relationships and trust. Over time, we hope these individuals will feel safe and supported enough to break down barriers and integrate more fully into the social circles within the community.

We are applying for funding for the following resources to allow us to facilitate our sessions in Kilwinning -

15 cushions-  £100

10 blankets -  £100

4 children’s weighted blankets- £60

10 lightweight drums with beater - £150

Percussion instruments- £200

2 Ear defenders adult and child’s- £30

2 x Activity Parachute - £30

Therapeutic art resources - £80

Sensory resources- £150

2x reclining chairs - £60

Herbal Tea resources- £40