Vision of Project - Create a Wellbeing Corner and Volunteer Programme of Activities at Lunch time and Afterschool. 

We are House Captains of Mayfiled Primary School.  We applied to be house captains to lead and support children and young people, to listen to children's views, to work with teachers to help with learning and to encourage volunteering in and outside our school.  As school captains, monitors and buddy's we would like the funding to help us grow as leaders.  - (House Captain Application and video link to see our ideas)

Project 1 - Volunteer Programme to support Lunch Time and Afterschool Activities (Theme - Health & Wellbeing, Building Community Spirit and Cost of Living).

Our school does not have any lunch time or afterschool clubs.  We want to lead on lunch time and afterschool activities and with the help of our teachers and parent council who can help by volunteering their time and help us bring in funding for resources.  We would like money from PB to purchase 2 new adjustable basketball stands so the big and wee ones can play.  We asked our houses what we needed and went a walk around our school playground.  We only have 1 basketball net and its older than Mr Faulds so the JANNIE SAID.  We did our research and found these for 249.99 each and we need 2.

Project 2 - Our Wellbeing Corner (Theme - Health & Wellbeing, Community Spirit, Cost of Living and Green Projects)

Part of our walk around we noticed that there is not anywhere for young people to sit together outdoors.  We would like to turn a corner of our playground into a wellbeing corner.  We would like money for picnic benches and planters.  We called a local men's shed.  They said if we got the PB money they would make them for us and would only charge us for the wood - We thought this was an absolute BARGAIN!!! The space we looked at you can see the fields behind us and the cows - we thought this area would make the ideal spot.  We as Mayfields House Captains want to introduce FUN, FRIENDLY FRIDAYS where pupils will give at least 1 comliment to someone during our lunch time activity.  We would also like to use the space when we are volunteering as buddy's and mentors as this is an ideal space to put our planters and we can help the wee people grow vegetable and their confidence.  This space would allow us as House Captains to develop our leadership skills using a space that is not used and hopefully recruit more wellbeing wizzards as part of our fun and friendly Friday's.

Basketball Stands 249.99 x 2 = 499.98

3 x Picnic Benches 2 x Planters = 580

Total = 1039.98 (We planning on fundraising for the rest if successful)

All our group members take part in volunteering opportunities throughout the local community and help foster community spirit. Most of the group have now completed the bronze level of the award and are now working towards their silver award.

Through the Hobbies and Interests aspect of the award participants are encouraged to engage in and develop new skills, hobbies and to remain socially active. This social activity helps to reduce social isolation and improves the physical and mental wellbeing of participants.  We would like to apply for support to help us provide opportunities for our group to experience a series of new and exciting workshop activities that would contribute to lifelong learning and promote positive wellbeing. These workshops would meet the needs and interests of group members and include arts and crafts, mindfulness and meditation, relaxation techniques, outdoor learning activities and other wellbeing tools.

 Honey Bee Cottage Wellbeing Workshops @ £160 per session x 6 sessions = £1000 

Arran Dogs (SC053020) is a newly formed Scottish Registered Charity (registered in Dec 2023) with the aim of promoting responsible dog ownership, training and education. We are focused on ensuring that our facilities and training are accessible to all, regardless of age or  abilities so that all can benefit from the positive impact dog ownership has on physical and mental well being.

While Arran is rich in open areas such as countryside, forest paths and beaches for exercising dogs, these are generally not suitable for people with impaired mobility (or sight/ senses) or dogs that cannot be exercised off-lead or mix with other dogs.  As a consequence, both these owners and dogs miss out on valuable bonding and exercise opportunities, with the mental health and well-being benefits this brings.

We have just opened Arran’s only secure dog field which is free to use, and bookable online for hourly use.

Our field is open to residents and visitors. We estimate that there are 2000 owned dogs resident on Arran and approximately 3795 visiting dogs. (Source: Arran Vets and Auchrannie).  Initial bookings and feedback since opening a month ago have already shown this to be an in-demand and appreciated resource with 27 residents and 8 visitors booking in our first week. 

This has enhanced the facilities available to the Arran dog community and visitors to the island. This is ideal for owners with elderly or reactive dogs, poor recall or just need to recover from injury in a safe space.

The field is also used for Arran Dogs’ lifeskills dog training classes which will help with building a sense of community involvement and so reducing social isolation by encouraging dog owners to meet likeminded people.

The field is now open to the public. Our aim is to make it more inclusive by adding accessible paths which will facilitate movement around the field for those with impaired mobility. This will then provide an opportunity to exercise their dogs in a secure place or to be able to participate in our weekly training classes along with the wider Arran dog training community.  

 The anticipated cost of the paths is £5700. We propose funding this by:

  - applying for £1000 from the Local Participatory Budget Fund

 – match funding with an application for £4000 from the Community Benefit Fund

  – match funding of £700 (and any extra required) from our own fundraising and donations.

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.

Expansion of the facilities of the Community Corner - £200

Provision of hot beverages, soup, sandwiches and biscuits- £800

Our project aims to organise a Christmas celebration for the Ukrainian community in North Ayrshire, welcoming both adults and children from various cultural backgrounds, including local Scottish residents. This event will serve as a platform for cultural exchange, fostering a greater understanding and appreciation of diverse traditions. By bringing people together to share in the joy of the season, we hope to promote unity and strengthen community bonds.

We would love to share Ukrainian traditions, such as music and food, with the people of Scotland and look forward to meeting Scottish people and others to learn about their culture too. We also aim to bring children of different nationalities together, offering games and craft workshops to foster friendships and shared creativity. The celebration will feature traditional Ukrainian customs alongside Scottish and other cultural festivities, encouraging participants to connect through shared experiences.

By creating a warm, inclusive environment, we hope that everyone, regardless of background, will feel welcome. Events like this can break down barriers, spark meaningful conversations, and create lasting friendships in the community. Bridging cultural gaps and celebrating diversity, this event will contribute to a more connected and harmonious community in North Ayrshire, especially during the festive season

Funding will be used for:

Rent of premises - 50

Trampolines for children - 270

Treats, food and drinks, sweet gifts - 310

Materials for craft workshops - 70

Games and activities facilitators- 120

Funding will be used for:

Rent of premises - 50

Trampolines for children - 270

Treats, food and drinks, sweet gifts - 310

Materials for craft workshops - 70

Games and activities facilitators- 120

Kids entertainer (Santa or another Christmas character) - 100

DJ for children and youth disco - 70

As a result, community sessions have been developed through the season to include children and young people (40 taking part weekly) in which they have been very involved at games and lifted the league trophy with the team at the presentation. The club has provided a platform for Irvines first competitive basketball team and inspiring the next generation. 

We are applying for approximatley 50% of the cost of hall hire (£690 based on 2023-24 costs) for the upcoming season and referees costs (£310 based on 2023-24 costs however the referee fees have been increased for the new season). 

This would really help support our members by decreasing our membership fees during the current financial climate and support them to continue to take part in their sport and continue to increase their physical health and mental well-being.