Our voluntary group aims to promote social inclusion, improved mental health and wellbeing, physical activity and community service. We promote these aims within the group and, through our activities, to improve accessibility to Eglinton Park's core pathways for all users.

Our work is in addition to, going above and beyond the routine maintenance and repairs of the park as provided by Streetscene and North Ayrshire Ranger Service.

Our project is ongoing, the aim is to continue to improve our offering around the core pathways of Eglinton Park and also to continue to grow the membership of our group. To be able to do this we need to replace and upgrade our existing toolset to improve our offering and to further assist the local community and all users of Eglinton Park.

Please have a look at our Facebook page to see the work that we do.

We are applying for funding of £1000 to help us to promote the aims of the group as outlined.

Items that will improve our offering, with approximate costings:-

Battery operated cordless power tools - £500

Manual hand tools - £250

Personal protective equipment - £250

Our sewing and craft group - The Canny Crafters, offers a welcoming space where people of all ages and abilities can come together every week to learn new skills, share knowledge, and enjoy creative activities. The group helps improve wellbeing by providing a relaxing outlet that reduces stress and gives members a sense of purpose and achievement. It also builds confidence as people develop new skills or mentor and help others and take pride in completing their own or group projects. Just as importantly, it reduces social isolation by bringing people together, helping them form friendships and feel more connected to their community. The group encourages intergenerational learning, with younger and older members exchanging skills and experiences, and creates opportunities for people to give back through handmade items that can be kept, donated or sold by the group. The group improves members mental health, strengthens community ties, and provides a supportive environment where people of all ages can thrive.

At the moment there are around 10 members registered who come along weekly or on an ad hoc basis.

To enable the group to offer a wide range of projects throughout the year and be able to invite different crafters the group would like to apply for funding to allow them to buy new resources and some machines which can be used multiple times throughout the life of the project and invite external crafters to come in and demonstrate new crafting experiences for the group to try.

Breakdown of costs

Sewing machines x 2/3   = £300.00

Hand held knitting machines x 4 = £100.00

Threads / Wool / knitting & crochet materials - £150.00

Arts / Craft resources - £100.00

External groups coming to demonstrate and offer new experinces - £300

We are applying for funding to enable our group members to plan and experience a trip to the theatre and afternoon lunch up in Glasgow in the new year.

Social activities such as this can have a positive impact of the health and wellbeing of older people.  This is especially true in the winter months when the cost of living and social isolation can have a significantly negative impact on people’s lives, especially for older members of the community.  This would be an opportunity for our group members to experience a special outing which many would not be able to access independently due challenges faced through physical health and mental wellbeing.

To enable us to do this we are applying for the following:

Theatre tickets: £560

Afternoon Tea: £440

Project Aims

• Pay the £595 ‘change of use’ fee to North Ayrshire Council to secure the derelict land donated to Largs Green Futures.
• Purchase and install a clear corrugated plastic roof to protect groups from wet weather and harness rainwater.  This will provide a sensory, educational experience demonstrating how rainwater can support sustainable crop growth.
• Buy clear perspex to visually enhance the fence barrier and provide opportunities for the community to create seasonal, themed and freestyle art, creating a space where the community can visualise changing seasons, explore plot-to-plate cooking, and express themselves freely in a safe environment.

Impact

Paying the £595 'Change of Use' fee will secure long-term access to a safe, sensory, and therapeutic community space, bringing benefits to every demographic within our community. Children and young people gain hands-on learning experiences in sustainability and healthy eating, while older adults find an accessible, sheltered and welcoming environment to connect, share knowledge, and engage in meaningful activities that support wellbeing. Families can participate in workshops developing environmental stewardship, cultivating pride in their neighbourhood and learning practical skills to reduce carbon footprints, save money, and enjoy fresh, home-grown produce.

In securing this space long-term, we future-proof not only our project, but our whole community—building resilience, nurturing wellbeing, and inspiring environmental responsibility across all ages and abilities.

Total Budget: £1,000

• Change of Use Fee (North Ayrshire Council): £595
• Corrugated Roofing (Outdoor Kitchen Shelter): £305
• Perspex (Boundary Fence Enhancement): £100

Total: £1,000

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

West Kilbride Community Initiative Ltd WKCIL was established as a regeneration project focussed on revitalising the centre of the town.  In 1998 half the town shops were boarded up and the green spaces were derelict and uncared for. WKCIL registered as a charity and now has three main projects - Craft Town Scotland, the Environmental Group and more recently the Media Studio.  With the help of many funding organisations Craft Town Scotland was able to either raise funding to purchase, or was gifted, nine shop units along the Main Street which are now let as subsidised craft studios. With support from the National Lottery an old church was upgraded and is now an arts centre with a shop, gallery and cafe.

The equipment we have applied for is to support the work of the charity as there are many facets which require a lot of managing and promotion.  Most of our work is carried out by volunteers alongside three part time employed posts. All our admin is carried out in the Barony Centre and our office admin is desperately in need of new equipment to carry out the work, hence our application  to the Participatory Budgeting.

We are a charity and a company limited by guarantee which is not far away from a CIC.  We are a non profit making, volunteer based organisation and quite honestly in the current financial climate every penny is counted carefully for us to be able to even survive.

We are seeking to replace and upgrade a printer and a laminator, along with replenishing ink and paper stocks.

1) HP Colour LaserJet Pro MFPM283fdw A4 Colour Multifunction Laser Printer 7KW75A- £639.14 (incl VAT)

2) Laminator 5724901, A4 & A3 £170.54

3) ink cartridges and paper £190.32

At present we do not have access to the ground for our disabled and wheelchair user supporters due to uneven ground, lack of ramps and broken steps. We are looking to remove a ticket gate which would give access from the back car park, fix the broken steps and put in a ramp. This would give access to a sheltered area in the stand which would provide an ideal viewing area. This area would need to be highlighted and marked off with tape/paint.

Cost for this would be £1820.