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 

Start Little Grow Big partners with North Ayrshire Food bank, The Three Towns Growers, The Argyle Centre, West Coast Furniture Bank and The Criminal Justice Team to build a community garden within Ardrossan that addresses food insecurity and strengthen community resilience. By encouraging collective action and skill-sharing, the project nurtures individuals, promotes learning, and empowers all Three Towns residents to grow and enjoy nutritious food. Diversity of skills and experience is valued, making the spaces open to everyone and aimed at improving community wellbeing. This proposal will create three self-sustaining community gardens, one in each town. These gardens use permaculture principles to provide fruit, vegetables, and therapeutic gardening for those without gardens, directly addressing food insecurity and supporting community wellbeing. The project aims to build community ownership locally and promote both formal and informal education in food production. It will focus on hands-on learning, risk assessment, and sharing peer-led expertise, valuing practical experience. The project is committed to organic-only growing, supporting natural pollinators, and avoiding pesticides and artificial growth enhancers. Efforts will also repurpose materials and explore upcycling. The initiative will engage a diverse range of cultural groups, including New Scots from Syria, Ukraine, Afghanistan, and long-standing communities in the Three Towns. Their involvement will combine traditional and modern cultivation practices, enriching local food production. The project is dedicated to fostering collective action and empowerment within the community. The project's long-term benefits are significant. It will empower the community by building ownership of growing spaces, providing fresh produce for community larders, and offering opportunities for exercise and mindfulness. The project has encouraged wider community engagement around food access and provision. It has also promoted biodiversity and pollinators, reduced carbon footprints, and provided volunteering opportunities that boost self-confidence and wellness. This project has built solidarity and a common cause among the Three Towns communities. By creating these spaces, we aim to start conversations with community members about issues they may face. The community campaigner has facilitated a mutual aid style of group work with and for individuals. The project has had a positive impact on the community as it involves 30-40 individuals in its development. An estimated 250 people will benefit from the produce, while 150 will have the opportunity to engage in activities such as storytelling and educational sessions at the project sites. This initiative aims to create spaces where people can relax, actively participate in their community, and engage in gardening based on a "do what you can" ethos. Partnerships with other organizations will facilitate directing participants to the project and providing on-site services. The Three Towns project aims to foster community ownership and sustainable practices through the promotion of organic cultivation. Participants will be encouraged to grow their own produce, regardless of their living situation. This initiative not only focuses on food growth but also on personal development and community collaboration. By involving diverse individuals with various skills, the project will thrive, offering valuable experiences and knowledge about nutritious food and healthier lifestyle choices to all residents of The Three Towns. 

Breakdown of costs 

Water Butts 4X _£160 Compost Bins 2x = £260 PPE- Gloves (Riggers Quality) 15x= £75 Protective eyewear £150 Water Containers 6x =£60 Seed Various £200 Topsoil and compost £95

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 

For this fund, we encourage and support those with lesser mobility to socialise outdoors either with a picnic in nature or within a local establishment. The aim is to have intergenerational interaction supporting a sense of being involved and connected to all of the community, without being segregated by mobility or age.  Meeting fortnightly we incentivise increased mobility and socialisation by contributing once per month towards a lunch within a local establishment or provide a picnic in nature. Request £80 per month; our average attendance is 10 people and the suggested contribution is £8pp towards their meal. (£80 x 12 months = £960). When more people arrive, the contribution is reduced or the additional cost is supported by other YES contributions.

YES Your Entire Self cic runs 3 weekly groups of Mindful Living for a Healthier Community, Chill n Do Social Club and Wheel and Walk Club.  Each group on a weekly basis can have attendance of between 10-30 people.  We run free Forest Therapy sessions for the Community to support overall Health and host additional Forest Therapy events for those with less mobility.  We promote nature as a tool for wellbeing. We have an annual 12 week course to support recovery for Women of Domestic Abuse.  We hold Wellbeing and Self Care Days for Families of Loved Ones with Addictions as well as Self Empowerment Days for those with Addictions.    We collaborate with Hope (CLASP) Harbour Ayrshire, NA Mental Health Nurses, Link Workers, Drum4Life, EmpowerMe, Forest Therapy Practitioners, NA Social Services, NA Community Hubs as well as NA Recovery College and Douglas Park. In any one week we can support between 40-70 people, all having a positive ripple effect on family members and friends with NA communities.

YES set up as a cic 3 years ago with one weekly group and one Mindfulness course.  We have since grown in demand each year, building up a reputation for positive outcomes and professional services.  All our volunteers and facilitators have lived experience of self empowered wellbeing and overcoming life challenges.  2026 we will continue to grow due to the current collaboration requests from other Ayrshire Third sector establishments and Social Services.  We continue to raise the voices of the unheard and unseen within our communities.

The Garden Haven will be a purpose-built community space within the Community Roots Garden in West Kilbride – a once-derelict site reclaimed by local people four years ago and steadily developed into a thriving community asset. The Haven is a stand-alone project that will provide a base to connect our Community Garden and Village Larder with wider holistic aims of wellbeing, sustainability, and education.  

This welcoming, sustainable building will build on the community’s success in transforming neglected land and place it into fuller use, directly supporting North Ayrshire’s Community Wealth Building strategy. It will create opportunities for skills, learning, and local enterprise while ensuring that wellbeing services are accessible to everyone, regardless of income.  

From the Haven we will deliver workshops on sustainable growing practices, nutrition, and the use of herbs for health, alongside stress management and complementary therapies. These activities promote healthier lifestyles, reduce environmental impact, and help people adopt low-cost, sustainable choices. Sessions will be offered free or on a pay-what-you-can basis, tackling inequalities in access to wellbeing. Through partnerships with the local college’s complementary therapy courses and local holistic practitioners, the project will also support education, fair work experience, and local expertise.  

Costs and Funding  

• Phase 1 – Core Build: £59,849. Due to commence end of October 2025. Funding secured: £50,000 (National Lottery Community Led Fund). £5000 Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund Shortfall: £4849

• Phase 2 – Finishing & Sustainability (decking, fencing, landscaping, solar panels, battery storage, decorating and furnishing): £18900

With support, the Garden Haven will complete the transformation of a once-neglected site into a sustainable, community-owned hub for wellbeing, learning, and environmental resilience 

The Community Wealth Building award will go towards the outlined costs and we are seeking out other sources of funding for the remainder. We aim to be completed by Spring 2025

We currently develop and maintain 13 major gardens and green spaces in West Kilbride which vary in size from a field to small seated areas. By joining the Scottish Garden's scheme we will be advertised nationally and locally on their social media platforms and in their printed material.  This will attract visitors to our village and increase footfall for our local businesses and studios thus supporting the economy of our area.

We will also produce and sell a small booklet and map for £5. The money collected will be shared with between the Community Gardens and the Ayrshire Hospice.

Design costs - £250

Printing cost for 500 high quality gloss leaflets - £90

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. 

Creating opportunities for young children (aged 4-8 years) on Arran to discover tennis is a key goal of Brodick Tennis Club. With funding from the Lawn Tennis Association’s (LTA) Parks Tennis Fund, we’ve resurfaced our three courts and are nearing completion of this project. While waiting for the courts to be ready, many of our primary school teachers have completed a CPD tennis module delivered by Tennis Scotland so as to be able to actively promote tennis activities within their schools.  We now also have a new group of LTA qualified Assistant Coaches who are eager to share their skills and enthusiasm with local children. Children as young as four can participate in tennis activities. To launch children’s tennis sessions on the island, we now seek funding for the essential equipment needed to introduce tennis to this age group.

The club is seeking funding to purchase age-appropriate tennis equipment that helps young children develop the key hand-eye coordination and movement skills tennis requires, all while having lots of fun. Research from the LTA shows that early enjoyment and success are critical to long-term participation. By providing properly sized and learning stage appropriate racquets, nets, and balls, as well as fun training tools like hoops, cones, and bean bags, we aim to create a positive, confidence-building environment for young players.

We are seeking funding for the following core equipment:

Red stage balls suitable for children aged 5-8 years (n=72) £86, foam balls for children aged 4+ (n=48) £104, pop up nets x 3 £300, 19” tennis rackets x 10 £159.90, 21” tennis rackets x 10 £159.90, mini cones (set of 4) x 3 £45, set of 6 hoops (50cm diameter) x 4 £84, set of 24 bean bags x 2 £60 

Total requested = £998.80

Having the appropriate equipment for our youngest learners will also help the club to be inclusive, removing barriers of expensive and multi-stage equipment costs to families on the island, and enabling every child aged 4-8 years who would like to explore the game of tennis to get the chance to do so. Tennis is a challenging sport for our children to learn, but provides multiple potential benefits of physical activity, complex coordination and motor skills, confidence-building, and the mental and social skills offered by tennis being both an individual and team sport. We hope to use our island’s new playing spaces and trained coaches to help create a community of enthusiastic young tennis learners, contributing both to their physical and mental wellbeing.

Our project will run fortnightly brunch sessions for around 20 people, offering a taste of Middle Eastern cooking such as kebabs and falafel. These meals will bring together people from Syria, other communities, and local residents to share food, build friendships, and promote cultural exchange. Alongside the food events, we will organise football sessions for adults, combining sport and social activities to strengthen community bonds.

• Food for brunch sessions (approx. £50 per session × 10 sessions) = £500

• Football pitch hire (approx. £40 per session × 10 sessions) = £400

• Refreshments for football sessions = £100

Total = £1,000