Estimated Price

£2,000

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Project Summary

Funds to support the costs of surveys following the outcome of a Community Asset Transfer (CAT) application for Blacklands Hall, Kilwinning

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Project Description

Kilwinning Community Shed (the Shed) was established just over a year ago with the purpose of bringing the community (our members) together in a space where they can collectively or separately interact and discuss what's important to them; whether it's work, family, hobbies, or skills, they can learn to be creative by participating in a variety of crafts and activities. More importantly, reducing solical isolation and being part of the wider community is key to our ethos which is aligned to the Scottish Men's Shed Association of which we are a member. Belonging to our community group gives people purpose and a sense of belonging because the 'Shed' is collectively the people, not the building.

Since it was established we've been housed in a temporary accommodation while we await the decision of the asset transfer in December. When awarded a permanent home we understand the responsibilities that come with it relating to legislative requirements and compliance. We must ensure the building is safe for our members and we meet all requirements for both compliance and regulations. This funding application is to help us meet the costs for surveys and reports relating to health & safety, fire risk assessments, electric and gas equipment and services as well as the overarching assessment of the intended function of the internal space and the external land space.

We estimate the spend to be as follows:

Site survey for fire risk assessment - £500

Site survey for extinguishers and signage - £250/day

Fire warden training - £60/person (minimum 4 persons)

Health & Safety Assessment - £500/day

Pre assessment survey and advice - £500

In the past year we have experienced membership growth and wider engagement with the local community, e.g. we work closely with Choose Kilwinning and will be actively involved in creating and building the Christmas trees for the town centre as part of Choose Kilwinning's sustainability plan. Our male to female ratio is 1:3 and we have an active membership who regularly attend our twice weekly meetings which we anticipate to increase in a permanent home. Our members benefit from a space to come together and be creative, or simply to be with people and chat. Our activities include but are not limited to woodworking in our workshop and a variety of crafting activities such as sewing, pottery, crochet, knitting, paper crafting and model railway building.  Essentially we are a member led organisation, a self funded charity which generates a lot of interest in Kilwinning, and while perhaps some people may not feel they are ready to join us right now, we want to create a community that will be here and ready for people of all ages in their future, young or old, from all walks of life, with or without a skill they just haven't discovered yet.

 

Agreement from application review: as the group are currently undergoing the CAT process, and the funds would cover work to be completed if they take on the asset being applied for, funding (if the group are successful at the public vote) would only be released once the asset transfer has been completed. If this has not been concluded by the end of the 2025/26 financial year, the funding will be offered to the project with the next highest number of votes.