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Saltcoats Mindful Makers
2024-09-18 • No comments • • Three Towns
Mindful Makers brings together Three Towns adults to combat the adverse effects of loneliness and social isolation with mindfulness. This community group is run by four volunteers (no cost) and comprises weekly Crafting Sessions and a Book Group. Sessions are open to all and free of charge to users. Friday meetings are held in Saltcoats Library where the welcoming environment encourages regular attendance. Week 1: Crafting - a new skill tutored by an organiser; Week 3: Book Group; Weeks 2 and 4: crafting together. Crafting and mindfulness are beneficial and can alleviate the symptoms of anxiety, stress, depression, loneliness and even dementia (craftscouncil.org.uk and verywellmind.com). Sharing experiences can counter depression through a feeling of belonging. Feedback from participants will guide our work and shape our 2025 programme. We use WhatsApp group to share and communicate between meetings, and a new Instagram account will raise awareness.
Our bid for £800 will allow for increasing costs and will (a) continue the provision of free crafting resources so no one is excluded for economic reasons - £500 (b) enable us to continue to provide community and outreach work - £50 promotion, and (c) increase equality of access for disabled members - £250 towards transport. We need to keep our activities free of charge as it becomes harder to budget for activities to help us thrive. Our 2025 development plan calls for an occasional outside maker to lead a session for a reasonable fee. A 2023 field trip was successful, but transport costs suitable for disabled participants are prohibitive, yet because of the weather we need to plan to visit indoor venues relevant to our selected crafts.
We respect sustainability, recycling items wherever possible, and augment our funds through craft sales. We support an average of 14 members at any time - an optimum number given the donated time and effort for organisation.
Environmental survey to support community purchase of Kerelaw
2024-09-20 • No comments • • Three Towns
Later this year, we hope to buy Kerelaw - a former country estate in Stevenston – which is a well-loved, well-used, biodiverse greenspace. As part of the supporting documents for the land purchase, we need to submit an environmental survey of the site to the landowner and funder. The survey and resulting report – an ‘extended Phase 1 Habitat survey’ – would map the site’s habitats, note important ecological features, flag the presence of protected species, and provide management advice for the site.
Once we acquire the land, we will improve it for both the local community and biodiversity and seek Local Nature Reserve status from the Council.
The funding we’re applying for (£1000) would part-fund the environmental survey and report, which in total would cost £4626.
Art ventures at Flying Start Toddler group
2024-09-11 • No comments • • Three Towns
The project is Art Venturers it is a programme designed fo babies and children under three years. The aim is to develop a childs creativity by providing experiences and opportunities for creative play in a relaxed environment. Children explore and create at their own pace and develop a sense of well being . the programme promotes bonding and attachments between the babies and their caregivers. A professional early years worker leads the sessions and the sessions are planned to support childrns development.
The costs of the project is 20 sessions at £50 per session £1000