Firth of Clyde Coastal Rowing Club is a community-based rowing club founded in 2012. We are based at Largs Yacht Haven and row two self-built St Ayles skiffs, 'Saltire' and 'Thistle'. We strongly adhere to The Scottish Coastal Rowing Association (SCRA) ethos of community spirit and inclusiveness. We provide an outlet for people of a wide age range (youngest currently 14 yrs, oldest >80 yrs) to partake in outdoor exercise in a socially beneficial, friendly environment. We are a welcoming and inclusive club, and no previous rowing experience is needed to join, and we have a particularly strong youth membership. We believe participation in Coastal Rowing is wholly beneficial to our membership's physical and mental health. Additionally, we have participated in environmental monitoring of micro-plastics in our seas locally, results being collated by the SCRA.

If we are successful in our bid, the funds will help us secure a desperately needed all-weather gazebo style shelter for attending rowing, fundraising and recruitment events. We try to attend as many events of this nature throughout the season, where our gazebo is used both as a welcoming area for existing and new members, as well as a storage location for any equipment we might need during the event we are attending. Depending on the event, we also sell home-made baking and sell raffle tickets from the gazebo, all of which proceeds enable us to donate monies to various charities across the season. At our own Foccrs regatta recently, we raised nearly £500 which we donated to the Ellen Macarthur Foundation which is a charity close to our hearts and is committed to creating a circular economy, designed to eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and regenerate nature. Unfortunately, due to the uncertainties of the Scottish weather, our previous gazebo is now beyond repair and we need to invest in something much more robust and longer lasting to help us continue our participation in the events mentioned previously. A funding award from the Locality PB would help us enormously in this respect and be hugely appreciated by all concerned.  

https://www.gazeboshop.co.uk/product/metal-gazebos/aluminium-extreme-50-hex-series/3m-x-6m-aluminium-extreme-50-hex-gazebo/

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

Feedback from community groups and events indicates a strong desire for a program catering to this age group, especially given the challenges posed by Hayocks' geographic location and the rising cost of living. Our association currently operates a weekly Hayocks Youth Café  on a Thursday 6-8pm for kids aged 11 plus in partnership with NAC Community Development and the National Lottery. With this funding, we would be able to initiate a similar program for younger kids and utilise the same equipment.

The primary beneficiaries will be children aged 7-11 living in the Hayocks area. This group includes those from families experiencing financial hardship, as well as children who may lack access to after-school clubs or other social spaces. The café will also indirectly support parents and carers, providing free food and drinks. In a safe environment. The café will be entirely free to attend. No fees, subscriptions, or charges for food, activities, or materials will be applied

Our goal is to promote equality and break down barriers for local children, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to socialise, try new activities, build confidence, and make new friendships without financial strain.

By supporting this age group and focusing on well-being through the provision of a consistent, structured environment for positive weekly activities, we can build rapport with the kids, facilitate early intervention, instil pride in our community, and help deter boredom and antisocial behaviour.

Activities will be supervised by trained staff and volunteers, who will ensure a safe, respectful, and inclusive atmosphere. Ranging from team sports, gaming, and creative arts to self-care, ensuring that every child can find something that interests them and fosters confidence among peers.

. Expected Outcomes

• Social Benefits: Increased opportunities for friendship, teamwork, and positive interaction.
• Emotional Wellbeing: Improved self-esteem, resilience, and sense of community belonging.
• Reduced Screen Time: More time spent in active, creative pursuits.
• Economic Support for Families: Reduced pressure on household budgets and greater access to enrichment activities.
• Equality and Inclusion: All children, regardless of income, can participate equally.

Specialist Activity Facilitator costs-  £20ph x 2 hours = £40 X 12 weekly sessions = £480  12 weekly sessions Food provision - £43.33 @ £1.44 x 30 kids = £520  Total £1000

The aim of the project is to support volunteers involved in the Irvine 'Adopt a Flowerbed' scheme through offering basic tools, bulbs and seeds. It will offer a chance to come together as a supportive group to share hints and tips as well as seed and plant swaps for use in the flower beds. The project will promote physical activity, social inclusion, positive mental health and enhanced wellbeing.

A Facebook group will be set up to share photos of the flowerbeds and events organised to bring volunteers together. The aim is to build a supportive community amongst the 'Buddies' while helping to enhance the Irvine locality for both locals and visitors alike through the maintenance of its flowerbeds.

The approximate costs applied for are:

Bulbs and seeds: £540, gardening gloves: £21.60,  hand trowels: £51.84,  Seed trays £46.08, plant labels: £11.98, seed envelopes:£19.99, refreshments: £96.78, Promotional flyers: £31.99, tote bags: £17.74, room rental for year (monthly x10): £162.

Additional costs involved such as soil improvement, compost, additional plants and bulbs and protective gear will be sought through fundraising and donations.

Impending end of lease with Dalry Community Sports Club necessitates relocation of the Men's Shed.  We intend to relocate our woodworking element first and seek to prepare the new area for this activity in terms of provision of mains outlets, wall-lining and a dust extraction system.   This application is aimed entirely at the cost of a dust extraction system at £899.98, in order to promote cleaner air purity for those participating in woodwork activities.  Axminster Professional AP340E 3HP Extractor - 230V

This project focuses on improving well-being though physical and mental exercise in a friendly and supportive environment. While we have a few games already, we are seeking to expand our library of age and mobility appropriate activities that promote physical movement and help our members maintain dexterity, movement and thinking skills. This also encourages team working and can be very competitive! We are supported in this by engaging  2 local practicioners for chair based yoga and relaxation/ sound bath therapies.  Our members have greatly enjoyed these and found great benefits in them. 

The associated costs of this are:

Arm chair yoga instructor: 1 session each quarter @ £60; total £240

Relaxation/ sound bath therapist: 1 session; total £60

Subscription to 'Golden Carers' respurce pack for activities, games etc; £50

Games and activities:

New Age Boccia set £175

Boccia targets to go with set: £104

High score wedge activity game: £145

Tabel Boccia and target board: £125

Portabel Cornhole game: £35

Traditional dominoes sets (2): £20

Trinimoes set: £24

total: £978

Bowling Buddies = £149.00  This can be viewed on their website

Bowls Target Mat = £89.99  This can be view on their website

Adult Mats x 6 = £120  Photo

Jacks x 4 = £80  Photo

Gatherers X 4 = £244  Photo

Sleepers x 6 = £312  Can be viewed on the Cladach Garden Centre website

TOTAL = £994.99

Our trip would allow our members to socialise, meeting others, help with their wellbeing and social isolation. It would also help with their cost of living.