Project Overview:

We are seeking funding to purchase belay devices for the Mountain Rescue Team, an essential piece of technical rescue equipment used to safely control ropes during rescue operations. Belay devices are critical in helping manage abseiling and climbing activities, enabling rescuers to assist individuals in hazardous terrain with minimal physical effort. These devices provide friction on the rope, ensuring controlled descents and the ability to arrest falls, making rescues safer and more efficient.

Objective:

Our objective is to improve the safety and efficiency of the Mountain Rescue Team's operations by equipping our volunteers with advanced belay devices. This will enhance our ability to perform rescues in challenging environments and ensure that our team can assist climbers, hikers, and those in distress, regardless of the complexity of the terrain.

Alignment with Funding Criteria:

1. Health and Wellbeing:

   The Mountain Rescue Team plays a crucial role in ensuring the physical safety and wellbeing of individuals engaged in outdoor activities. Our work directly impacts the health of both those we rescue and our volunteers. Belay devices enable safer rescues, reducing the risk of injury or harm to both the victim and the rescuer. In addition, by providing a safer framework for rescue operations, these devices help reduce the physical strain and stress experienced by volunteers, contributing to their long-term mental and physical wellbeing. By supporting the wellbeing of those involved in mountain activities, we also promote a healthier community that is more active and connected to nature.

2. Building Community Spirit:

   The Mountain Rescue Team is comprised entirely of volunteers who are dedicated to serving their local communities. By providing us with essential rescue equipment, this grant would enable us to respond more effectively to emergency situations, fostering community cohesion and trust. The presence of a well-equipped, highly trained rescue team helps build a sense of safety and support within the community. Moreover, as our team is involved in public awareness events and training sessions, having belay devices would allow us to engage more people in safety skills and promote volunteerism, helping to build resilience and connections within the community.

3. Green Projects:

   Mountain Rescue work is inherently tied to the natural environment. By ensuring our team is equipped with appropriate belay devices, we can more safely conduct rescues in fragile and remote areas, minimizing our impact on the environment. Our team also promotes outdoor activities such as climbing and hiking in a safe and sustainable way, encouraging a connection with the natural environment. Supporting our team with updated equipment would help raise awareness about the importance of respecting and preserving the natural world during outdoor pursuits.

Budget Request:

We are requesting a grant to cover the purchase of belay devices for our team. These devices are crucial for our technical rescue operations, and the funding will allow us to acquire high-quality, durable equipment. The total estimated cost for the necessary belay devices is £700, which will enable us to outfit our rescue volunteers with the tools they need for safe and effective operations.

Conclusion:

The Mountain Rescue Team provides a vital service to the community, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of those engaged in outdoor activities. By supporting this application, you will help improve the safety of both our volunteers and the individuals we rescue, while also promoting community cohesion and environmental stewardship. We are confident that this project aligns with the key criteria of health and wellbeing, community building, and environmental awareness, and we appreciate your consideration for this grant.

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

Research on gardening has shown that 'getting your hands in the soil’ offers multiple health benefits, particularly reducing anxiety and depression. Heather Lodge CIC has received funding from the Scottish Government’s Mental Health and Well-being Fund during the last three years to offer outdoor well-being activities.

Participants in a Therapeutic Gardening Group take part in gardening tasks from spring to autumn with an experienced and qualified Educational Gardener. These sessions take place in the Heather Lodge garden and include learning how to grow flowers, fruit and vegetables using wildlife-friendly methods. The programme accepts referrals from GPs, social workers, OTs and other health professionals. It is also possible for individuals just to self-refer.

In addition to health benefits, participants describe the value of the social contact which this activity gives them. They can also learn how to grow some food for themselves. We would like to offer these benefits more widely in the Arran community.

We already have disabled-friendly raised beds and other parts of the garden for this work. Experience over the last few years has shown that acquiring a greenhouse would expand opportunities for groups by providing a protected area for propagating seeds and young plants, and also offering a sheltered workspace for elderly and disabled participants during periods of poor weather.

We have already prepared a solid base for erecting a greenhouse. We are now seeking to source a 6’ x 10’ greenhouse. Options which are safe and suitable for use by groups and robust enough for an exposed site cost in the region of £1000 including delivery. The CIC envisages being able to meet any costs over £1000, if necessary, from donations or general income. The structure will be erected by volunteers. It will offer a potential working life of 10+ years and should become a real asset for the community.

The main aim of Art in Mind is to reduce social isolation, providing a safe and relaxed environment where people can socialise, while being creative. Over the years, this has increased the confidence of individuals attending, and enhanced their feelings of well-being. There is no time limit, so some people have been coming for the twenty years, others come and go, but they all know that the door is open for them to return.

There is a relaxed, friendly and sometimes really industrious atmosphere, not to mention frequent doses of laughter! Time can be spent in group activity and doing your own ‘thing’, with plenty of help, support and advice – often achieving great results.

Some of the comments about the group have been;

‘I enjoy having a purpose and doing homework for the group. It reminds me of going to school, which I loved. I feel better on Saturdays and Sundays when I’ve been to Aim on a Friday’

‘Being able to be myself, friendship, acceptance, understanding, feeling for the first time in my life that I belonged somewhere’.

‘Meeting up with like-minded people, and doing art in a relaxed atmosphere’

  The second group started in December 2023, and both groups continue to meet every week, enjoying a wide range of creative pursuits under the guidance of a tutor. One group meets in the Ranger Centre, within National Trust's Brodick Castle Grounds. The other uses  part of Brodick village Hall. Transport from the ACVS Transport scheme, assists some members to attand, as well as some Art in Mind  Volunteer drivers. Both groups are supported by volunteers who take part in the art activities and help the tutor with materials and setting up the venue etc. The grant from Arran Community Council's Scottish Power Renewables Fund, has made this possible, but in reality has not been sufficient . There is a second year of funding due in October 2024, and Arran Visual Arts intend to advise them of the shortfall. However, the time allowed for the Coordinator of 3 hours per week, has not been enough, and the Art Materials requested by the different Tutors, and cost of ACVS transport,  has cost more than originally anticipated.

Arran Council for Voluntary Services Transport costs approx £30 per month  = £360

Art Materials    Clay  £40, Paper  £80,  Paints £40   =  £160

Additional Coordinator Hours  2 hours @ £20 per hour, per month = £480

Total  £1,000

Our Sunshine on Beith (Summer 2025) will have a weather theme, and we will be presenting Ola Gjeilo's inspirational Sunrise Mass, for choir and strings.  We would like this grant to fund the purchase of choral sheet music, and contribute to the cost of professional musicians.

Sunrise Mass cost:  £400

Sunshine on Leith (Proclaimers) choral music arrangement:  £100

Professional Soloists £250 each = £500

We would like to apply for funding to enable us to provide a Christmas Lunch and Party, and fund a bus trip to a local shopping centre. 

Christmas Lunch and Party £450

Bus Hire £550

The Craufurd Simson Park charity will be developing a piece of land acquired from the council for an outdoor play park for use by the residents in West Kilbride.  

In order to develop the park, the children will be invited to contribute to their vision of the park at an event. The event will provide an afternoon of fun, to build community awareness about the project and to make sure that the children are able to play a role in developing the park and feel included in the development.

The event will be hosted in the space the park will be built on (subject to the relevant approvals and insurance).

The event is aimed to be fun for the children, build community spirit, and gather the input we need for the next big step.  We hope that this will build excitement give the children something to look forward to.

We will provide entertainment for the children and an area for the children to build their vision for the park and choose the equipment they would want.

The park will ultimately deliver the proven health and wellbeing benefits of an open space with play equipment for children to engage in physical activity, build social skills and feel part of a community.

Funding for the park will be sought through other funding avenues once the land is transferred through a Community Asset Transfer.

This initiative is championed by the Community Roots and orgnaisation well established in the West Kilbride community. Community Roots is set up to help people live their best healthiest lives with food security and outlets that improve mental and physical well-being. Community Roots runs the Village Larder, SHED & a community garden.

We have the opportunity to provide our 16 pupils in the P4 and P5 class with 8 weekly swimming lessons. These lessons are offered during school time as an extra opportunity beyond what the school can offer for their PE lessons. 

Learning to swim is a vital life skill that helps to keep children safe, and it is also a fantastic opportunity for our children to learn a new sport, increase their physical acitivity and gain new skills and confidence. Our students told us that swimming lessons are often their "favourite PE lessons" and that they "hope that everyone get a chance to have swimming lessons with Sally, because she's really good and really fun". They said that swimming lessons gave them the chance to learn and try new things and that they were really pleased because they surprised themselves with how good they were at it. Parents told us that learning to swim and being safe in the water felt especially important for children growing up in a coastal setting, but that there are limited opportunities to access proper swimming lessons on the island. They also told us that swimming lessons and/or taking your children swimming is one of the most expensive acitivites available to children and families, and the cost is often what prevents them from doing so more regularly. As such, these lessons are a mechanism to make learning to swim accessible to more of our children.

Whilst we have worked with the facilities provider to keep costs to a minimum, the cost of providing swmmming lessons has had to increase this year. The parent council will be funding the cost of the first swimming instructor separately, and we are applying to cover the additional costs of hiring the pool facilities, a second swimming instructor necessary to meet safety requirements, and transport for the children. These costs amount to:

Pool hire ( 8 sessions for 16 pupils): £512

Second instructor: £200

Transport hire (Kilmory Community Bus): £280

Total: £992

Thank you for considering us

North Ayrshire Healing Hearts Bereavement Support Group is a peer support bereavement group for community members who have experienced the death of someone they loved.

The group was established in January 2024 after an initial CRUSE pilot scheme. The 25 members did not want to lose the group and the support it offered, so Healing Hearts was formed. The group is completely self funded and has expanded now to 4 groups running in North Ayrshire taking their total to over 50 members.

The group support people physically and mentally they address issues such as social isolation, addiction and improve the members well-being and health, meeting up weekly and for social events.

The project brings people struggling with the loss of a loved one together invarious locations in North Ayrshire enabling them to supoort each other. All of the group is constituted and all of the members who run it are volunteers. They offer befriending, mentoring and sign posting to various services locally for example Money Matters, Counselling and CHAP.

The group receives referrals come from Social Work, GPs, dentists, Community link workers, Police , libraries and other organisations in Ayrshires.

We woulike to request money for the below-

50 Christmas Lunches @ £15 each = £750

Bingo Machine £150

2 Boxes Markers £24.99 each =  £50

Bingo Books £30 for 600