We are seeking £1000 from the Participatory budget to help us build and deliver our new carers and family programme within the North Coast. This programme has been designed by our dedicated volunteers and members to support neurodivergent families and carers within our community. To make these plans a reality, we have continued to fundraise and have managed to raise £900 to date, which will go towards our proposed activities.  The programme of activities we will provide is aimed at addressing the three key priorities: Cost of living crisis, Improving health and wellbeing and building community spirit.  To address the cost of living crisis, we will be providing free and subsidised trips and activities, as many unpaid carers and neurodivergent families would not be able to afford this, as they are more likely to be impacted by poverty. This includes a trip to Edinburgh zoo for the VIP lantern experience (ASN session) in Dec. (£912) for 10 adults and 10 children. This will be covered by our existing fundraising, which will also support positive wellbeing. It is an opportunity for families to come together in a supportive environment and experience the magic of the festive period. To continue this work, we plan to provide a carers' lunch in Jan or Feb to help build community connections and natural support networks. The approximate cost of this is £300, accounting for £20 per head for 15 adults. We are also looking at providing an Easter event that will include an animal handling session for neurodivergent families in the North Coast at an Approx cost of £250. This will support positive family wellbeing and reduce the financial barrier to accessing activities during the Easter holidays. In addition to this, we would like to purchase craft materials at an Approx cost of £150 to host themed family sessions such as Easter, Halloween and Christmas 2026, etc., to provide a range of free activity days for families, which will improve community spirit and promote positive health and wellbeing, as well as supporting families impacted by poverty. We are also looking for £100 to help towards the cost of providing free tea, coffee, snacks and juice at our events. In addition to the above, we are planning to offer carers a trip to Culzean Castle to provide a break from their caring responsibilities, costing £220 for 10 adults at £22 per head. Our activities give carers and families time to relax and enjoy shared experiences, offering much needed respite and improving mental wellbeing. With your support, we can make lasting positive change within our communities, building stronger connections and natural support mechanisms. We are very grateful for the opportunity and are passionate about making our new family programme a success within the North Coast. We would also like to thank our volunteers and the families that continue to support us in achieving our goals, and feel that this is a positive way to develop further community spirit and community involvement. The total cost of our project is approximately £1932, with our existing funds covering the additional costs and any venue hire costs to ensure the project's success. Thank you for your consideration. 

The Isle of Arran Pipe Band is at the heart of the island’s traditions, carrying its music and spirit into every local gathering, parade, and celebration. 

Replacements for pipe chanters, reeds, sticks, and drum skins (£1000) ensure that the music the band produces is clear, tuneful, and powerful enough to fill the open air of island events. These items wear out quickly through constant use, and keeping them in good condition is not a luxury but a necessity. With the right equipment, the band can deliver stirring performances that honour both tradition and community pride.

Benefits for Members

• Being part of the band gives members a sense of belonging, discipline, and pride.

• It allows people of all ages to develop musical skills, teamwork, and confidence.

• For younger players, it provides mentoring from experienced musicians and a positive outlet for their energy and creativity.

• For adults, it offers a meaningful way to contribute to island life while deepening friendships and community ties.

Benefits for the Community

• The band is a source of cultural identity, keeping alive Scotland’s iconic pipe and drum traditions for future generations.

• Their performances bring people together at fairs, memorials, parades, and celebrations, turning events into moments of shared pride.

• The sound of the pipes and drums is woven into the island’s atmosphere, marking its history and seasons with music that unites residents and visitors alike.

• By nurturing local talent, the band strengthens intergenerational bonds and creates experiences that children, families, and elders all enjoy.

Supporting the hall hire and essential instrument upkeep is not just about covering costs—it is about safeguarding a living tradition and ensuring that the Isle of Arran Pipe Band continues to enrich island life with its music, spirit, and sense of togetherness.

To have a Presentation/Awards Ceremony for the winners of the various competitions which run within the Club and to acknowledge any special achievements or contributions made by any of our bowlers or volunteers. It would also be an opportunity to thank the members, and their families, for their participation and continued support, without which the Club would not be able to function.

Disco: £175; Buffet £700; Bar Staff Costs; £130; Medals (Seniors, Gents, Ladies, Juniors, Mixed) £320; Special Awards £250 Total £1575

We are seeking £1,000 in grant funding to support our 50th anniversary celebrations, which will include a commemorative concert and a social gathering. The events will honour our long-standing contribution to the community and provide an inclusive opportunity for members and audience past and present to reconnect and celebrate.

Funding will help cover key costs such as venue hire, conductor/tutor fees, new music, refreshments, and entertainment.

Total costs will well exceed £1,000, so grant support would enable us to subsidise suggested ticket prices/donation and ensure broad participation.

This milestone offers a unique moment to reflect on our legacy and invest in our future, and we would be deeply grateful for your support.

We have provided key facts about our organisation as an attached document. But as an overview, Irvine and Dreghorn Brass is North Ayrshire’s only community brass band organisation and was established in 1975/76. We gained charitable status in 1994. We offer inclusive access to music-making and learning. We operate four distinct programmes: Competition Band; Community Band; Youth Brass Programme and Percussion Programme.

We estimate total costs of £1800.

Estimated Concert Costs: £1050 

Concert venue hire  £250

Conductor/ Tutor fees across all 4 streams (concert + rehearsal) £600

Music, equipment, transport £200

Estimated Social Event Costs: £750

Social venue hire £250

Band / disco  £300

Refreshments / equipment £200

We are a voluntary group with a parent run committee.  We support 3-5 year olds in early learning and childcare, and our aim is to provide a warm, welcoming environment where all families feel valued and supported.  We try to keep the costs down for families of the children attending the nursery.  

We are applying for funding to purchase outdoor clothing and equipment for the children.  Outdoor learning plays a large role in early years now and it has many benefits.  Some of these benefits include physical activity, promotes mental health and emotional wellbeing as reduces stress and boosts confidence, improves focus, social skills and relationships are developed and also a connection to nature and sustainability.  Outdoor learning supports childrens health and wellbeing in many powerful ways.

Funding for clothing and equipment to encourage outdoor learning would ensure: 

• equal access to clothing for all children 
• every child can participate in outdoor learning and play, regardless of family ability to afford appropriate clothing 
• promotes inclusion and fairness 
• encourages outdoor play in all weather - can go outside safely and comfortable in the great Scottish weather! 
• enhances learning opportunities 
• supports mental and physical health 
• protects childs own clothes

Costs

£850 - Outdoor clothing such as waterproof trousers, jackets, gloves, hats and wellies

£150 Cable Drum play equipment 

We are applying to run a day of cookery classes in early 2026 for Island families - using sustainable produce to create budget friendly meals, perfect for batch cooking for the freezer. 

Participants will take part in interactive demonstration, bringing families together to learn new recipes for hearty healthy meals like stews, pies, pastas, soups and roasts that bring everyone to the table—plus tips for adapting dishes to suit all ages. Families will build essential skills like measuring, mixing, seasoning, and timing, with guidance tailored to both adults and children. The session will focus on sustainability, making the most of ingredients and avoiding waste, creating cost effective meals that can be batch cooked and frozen, supporting families to prepare for any produce shortages which can affect Arran during bad weather. 

The hands-on cookery class is designed for families who want to reconnect with food in a positive way. We believe that the kitchen is the heart of a home - and cooking together and sharing what you have made with friends and family can be a powerful way of tackling social isolation during the colder months. 

We previously delivered a series of cookery classes on Arran already at the high; school where local catering staff benefited from elevating their skills. The feedback was so positive, we are confident that there is a real desire on the island for this kind of activity.

The sessions would encourage island families to come together to learn new skills and spend quality time together. The classes would be open to families including children aged 6+ with adult supervision, and numbers for sessions will be dependent on venue capacity - 6 families would maximise reach whilst protecting the personalised nature of the session.

Cost breakdown as follows:

• Chef Tutor @ 1 day delivery plus prep time - £250.00

• Travel from mainland including ferry ticket and fuel costs for one vehicle - £100.00

• Contribution to local venue for hosting event - £200.00

• Creation of recipe books for all families to keep, containers for food - £50.00

• Refreshments provided by host venue - £100.00

• Ingredients from local suppliers - £200.00

• Project assistant to support chef tutor with set up/sign in, including admin allowance for booking families into sessions/evaluations  - £100.00

Total requested: £1000.00

We confirm that we have all relevant insurances, policies, training and PVG checks required to deliver this project.