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Shaping North Ayrshire

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Celebrating Together – Pennyburn 2025/26

Pennyburn Primary Parent Council No comments Kilwinning
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Summary

Funding to provide school celebrations all year at Pennyburn Primary, including a Santa’s Grotto, so every child can join in without high family cost

Description

We are applying for £1,000 to fund a year of free school celebrations at Pennyburn Primary. These will include seasonal discos, end-of-term events, community celebrations, and our very popular Santa’s Grotto this year featuring Ayrshire’s Number One Santa, ‘Do You Believe in Santa Claus Ayrshire’.

Pennyburn is one of the most deprived areas in North Ayrshire, with several data zones in the top 20% most deprived in Scotland (SIMD 2020). Many families struggle with the cost of living, and high charges for events can cause stress or lead to children missing out. We want to make sure every child can experience the joy of school celebrations, without any financial barrier for parents.

This project will guarantee that all children can enjoy the same positive, magical experiences with their friends, no matter their background. The funding will cover entertainment, decorations, refreshments, and transport. By removing all costs to families, we will deliver a school year of celebrations, helping reduce inequality, boosting wellbeing and confidence, and strengthening community spirit.

Breakdown of costs:

  • Event entertainment (DJs, Santa’s Grotto, performers, facilitators) – £500

  • Decorations & resources – £200

  • Refreshments & snacks – £200

  • Transport – £100 Total: £1,000

How have young people been involved in shaping this project?

Young people have played a key role in shaping this project. At Pennyburn Primary, pupils regularly share their ideas for school events through the Pupil Council and class discussions. They told us that discos, end-of-term celebrations, and especially the Santa’s Grotto are the highlights of their school year, but they also shared that some children worry about missing out if there is a cost involved. We listened to their feedback and designed this project to make sure every celebration low in cost, so no child is excluded. The young people also suggested that decorations and snacks make celebrations more enjoyable. By taking their ideas on board, we have built a programme that reflects what young people said was most important to them – fun, inclusion, and everyone being able to take part together.

Information

  • Amount applied for:

    £1,000

  • Proposed on behalf of: The Pennyburn Primary Parent Council & Community Group is a volunteer-led organisation made up of parents, carers, and local community members. Our purpose is to support the school, enhance opportunities for children, and strengthen the link between families, school, and the wider Kilwinning community. We work to ensure that every child has access to positive, inclusive experiences regardless of their family circumstances. We organise events, fundraising activities, and community projects that promote learning, wellbeing, and togetherness. In particular, we focus on tackling the barriers created by poverty and the cost of living, so that no child is excluded from activities or celebrations that their peers enjoy.
  • Location: This project will take place at Pennyburn Primary School in Kilwinning, which sits within one of the most deprived areas in North Ayrshire. Several Pennyburn neighbourhoods are ranked in the 20% most deprived areas in Scotland (SIMD 2020), meaning that many local families face financial pressures and the impact of the cost-of-living crisis. Pennyburn Primary is at the heart of the community, providing not only education but also a safe and welcoming space for children and families. It is a central point where the community comes together, and school celebrations play a huge role in building belonging and pride. Unfortunately, costs for events such as discos or festive activities can create barriers, leaving some children unable to take part. By funding a full year of free school celebrations in this location, we can remove these barriers, ensuring all children in Pennyburn—regardless of background—can enjoy the same positive, memorable experiences with their friends. This project directly benefits the children of Pennyburn Primary and their families, strengthening community spirit in one of Kilwinning’s most vulnerable areas.

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Related content (0)

  • Published 2026-08-14

    Status changed to
    Project complete

    175 people benefitted from the funding. Without the funding we would not be able to deliver the project so it made all the difference. A stydy showed that 92% of the people surveyed stated they would not have been able to delivery the Christmas and Easter experience for the young people without events like ours.