For over 20 years, we have taken care of the woods and created a space where people from all walks of life can feel safe and supported. We encourage retired individuals, those facing mental health challenges, and veterans to engage with nature outside of their daily routines. Our goal is to use the calming influence of nature to help distract them from their issues.

We also welcome various groups, such as Scouts and schools, to use our woodlands for educational purposes about the environment. Many individuals find joy in exploring and enjoying the woods.

This year, we are seeking funding to refurbish and replace our equipment, which has been worn down by the harsh conditions we face. Maintaining the paths is much more challenging than simply cutting a lawn.

Refurbish our mowers x2 = £400. We cover routine maintenance, but this is a one-off safety upgrade and inspection, so we can keep older models going rather than just buying new ones when these need to be refurbished. We believe in reusing and recycling. 

Drill and Driver kit £150. -

A battery-powered strimmer that utilises the batteries we already have, or for small jobs, allowing people who find the big petrol-powered strimmers too heavy to use them.

£130 

We would like to be able to go on a bus trip next year as a group and to have a meal out. Kilbirnie has a very limited public transport, so being able to go further afield for a day out would be very beneficial to our members. Bus hire is approximately £500 and can increase. Meal is  approximately £12 a head  we have tea/ sugar/milk every week  £100 Bingo/Quuz prizes £50 . Any funding received will help to purchase overheads, ensuring we can continue to run our club weekly , whilst supporting mental health and wellbeing. This will enable us to continue to provide a safe space, with the opportunity for our members to get involved in group activities 

For our Christmas event on Saturday 28th November 2026, we believe every child deserves the chance to experience the magic of visiting Santa. That's why we want to make it free and inclusive for all, ensuring no child from Kilbirnie and Glengarnock misses out due to financial pressures. This would include free presents from Santa, face painting, prizes for treasure hunt and providing light up wands for the parade. Estimated cost £1000

Growing and cultivating our own produce at home presents challenges for some families in terms of cost of equipment, the time required to tend to the plants, lack of space and knowledge.

With the wealth of skills and experience GVAA members can offer there is a desire to pass this onto the young people of the Garnock Valley.

GVAA members are in the process of erecting a polytunnel on site which will be available to be exclusively used by young people. We aim to increase their awareness of where their food comes from, promote skills in gardening and horticulture, increase their knowledge of their environment and encourage teamwork.

The project will be led by a member of GVAA and it is aimed that by passing on their knowledge, skills and experience to the young people taking part in the project, that it may lead to pathways in volunteering, and further training or employment in horticulture.

The additiional benefit of working outside and in the environment is well documented to improve mental health.

In order for the polytunnel to be complete and equipped for growing the following equipment is required. It is intended that the young people will be involved with getting the polytunnel ready for the next growing season.

Raised beds and shelving =£400                                                 

 Lightweight strimmer x 2= £300                                                   

Strimmer helmet & visor x 2 = £40                                                  

Bosch water pump and rechargeable battery = £150                 

Gloves = £60                                                                                   

  Seeds and plants = £50

Bypass Art is passionate about Dalry's history and heritage, and over the years we have been involved in numerous community projects aimed at telling Dalry's story - Community Recital of John Hodgarts Hilltap Toon, The 'Our Town Heritage Board',  Auld Men's Shelter Mural and loads more - but Bessie On The Bypass is a bit different.

The Bessie sculpture will stand tall near the Dalry Bypass,provide a historical gateway into our town, be seen by huge amounts of passing motorists and provide a unique opportunity for the Garnock Valley to highlight and promote the area and encourage footfall into our towns.

To effectively promote this project we are seeking to buy a gazebo so we can set up at community outdoor events and consult with the public about Bessie On The Bypass. We wish to purchase branded fleeces that will demonstrate a visible commitment to our project as we interact with the public. Additionally we aim to acquire promotional items that will spotlight and publicise the Bessie On The Bypass initiative. These items will help us reach a wider audience, spark conversations about the project and inspire community involvement.

Gazebo £300, Branded Fleeces £180, Paper £15, Ink £70, Collection Cans £25, Promotional Items £400 = £990

We have organised various free events for the public, including community litter picks, habitat creation for ground-nesting bees, spring bulb planting and willow weaving courses.  These events provide opportunities for like-minded individuals to socialise while improving the ecology of the park and facilities for park visitors. Our Wellbeing in Nature Day in June, supported by local organisations, featured nature walks, guided meditation, and mindfulness activities, promoting the potential of Lochshore Park to positively impact individual and community health. Since our last application, we have experienced significant growth, doubled our membership and increased our Facebook following ten-fold to over three hundred. Over the past year, we have established productive partnerships with the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Ayrshire Nectar Network, and TCV. In each case we have relied on their expertise to support our projects. 

With a Proportional Budgeting grant, we would invest in support for our members and part fund projects which further attract the public to participate in outdoor activities. We have already completed a woodland walk with picnic area, a yoga/meditation area overlooking the loch and we aspire to install a bird hide. Funding would allow our group would visit the Loch Lomond Faerie Trail in Luss, with the aim of drawing inspiration for the development of our own fairy trail within our Enchanted Forest; enhance our Wellbeing in Nature Day next year with the inclusion of musical groups, and help acquire a small trailer and hire a quad bike to help with transport of bulky material round the park.

Group visit (hire of minibus, entry and snack) £400

Wellbeing in Nature Day Music £200

Hire of quad bike with tow bar (£50 per day) £100

Second hand trailer (£400)