We have approximately 20 members and the costings are as follows:

lunch approximately £5/6 per head per week

xmas lunch approximately £8/10

per person.

We also have entertainment three times per year at a cost of £75 a time (based on last year).

Our group allows our elderly members to come together and enjoy a nutritious lunch in good company. This limits the effects of social isolation providing chat and fun.

The Garnock  Valley Discovery Award Group is not just about going out for a wee jaunt once a month. The members are working on their own personal Journey of Discovery. Akin to the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme for young people with the Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards, we work in the same way with similar criteria to be met to complete each section. The difference is that our group is aimed at people over the age of 50 in the Garnock Valley, each persons Journey of Discovery is very personal and is based on an individuals ability physically and emotionally. The level of challenges vary eg. some of our members have first hand experience of social isolation and have had to undergo a journey of getting themselves back out there. This may seem a small challenge to most people but it is a huge challenge for some of our members. When the first step is made confidence and independence needs worked on and getting together as a group is a huge help. Going out for the day can go towards the award in the Journey of Discovery section, where going out visiting a place involving the planning costing and timing of the outing, as well as compiling a record of and providing evidence come into action. The cost of hiring a minibus, admission fees, printing off photos as evidence for our port folios all cost money as does some crafting materials to use at the hub on days where we are working on other areas of the Awards. The Garnock Valley is an area of deprivation on the Scottish index of Multiple Deprivation 2020 and all of our members live within the Garnock Valley. 

Wheelchair accessible mini bus hire approximately £550

Admission to Dumfries House approximately £275

Ink and Paper aproximately         £50

Craft Supplies       £125

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 

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)

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

We are looking for funding to help us maintain our weekly group with the goal to invite other services or classes to attend so that our participants can learn coping strategies and take part in activities that well help their physical and mental wellbeing. We are looking for funds that will enable us to cover the tea/coffee and food costs as well as funds to pay for any services that may have a cost attached for providing service. We would also like to plan an excursion to help with social isolation and mental wellbeing. Our estimated costs are : 

Excursion- £240

Tea/ Coffee/ Milk/ Food- £5 x 50 = £250

Services- £510

Members state that the excursions we provide are an important part of the group as they feel inc!uded in an activity which they would not be able to participate in otherwise. We would be unable to provide this without funding such as the locality PB. We have been fortunate enough to receive this previously and provided a fantastic days out  to Cumnock Factory Outlet and a meal at Romeo and Ju!iets. 

We would like to apply for funding to provide another 2 trips next year which will be chosen by the members of the grouo. We therefore require £1000  which will cover the approximate cost of the bus at £500 and approximate cost of the meal at £500

Our committee aim to provide either two small trips or one trip and a meal out.

These excursions encourage our elderly people to enjoy company and reduce social isolation and improve their general wellbeing.