<p style="margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Choices Community Shop, based in the heart of Irvine, offers food with dignity to local people who are facing food insecurity due to the cost of living crisis. This fund would allow us to prepare healthy, nutricious &quot;ready meals&quot; for individuals removing the worry of the cost of cooking. Given that winter is approaching, families will have to choose whether to heat or cook and by having this offer, it lessens the stress of the worry.</span></span></span></p>

<p>We are looking to redevelop our outdoor space into a community garden area with seating and raised beds to grow fruit and vegetables.</p>

<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif">LMC offers an informal setting for amateur musicians to meet on a regular basis and encourage one another to improve their skill level on their preferred musical instrument.</span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="background:#fdfdfd"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Lato&quot;,sans-serif"><span style="color:#222222">The Vennel Friends Discovery Group meet weekly in the Vennel Gardens Community Engagement Hub and helps older people come together to meet new people and try a whole host of activities.&nbsp; </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="background:#fdfdfd"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Lato&quot;,sans-serif"><span style="color:#222222">Our group is open to anyone over the age of 50. &nbsp;We participate in a wide range of activities that promote the health and wellbeing of our group members. The group provides a safe and welcoming place for older people to connect socially which helps to combat loneliness and isolation.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="background:#fdfdfd"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Lato&quot;,sans-serif"><span style="color:#222222">We are applying for funding to enable our group members to experience the positive mental health and social benefits of going to the theatre and having afternoon tea in Glasgow.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Comic Sans MS&quot;">By entering our verse speaking event Primary Schools demonstrate their pupils&rsquo; budding reading and speaking skills, boosting their self-confidence and fostering an appreciation of the Scots language.</span></span></span></span></p>

<header> <p>The core purpose of The Arran Pioneer Project CIC&nbsp;is to regenerate Scotland&#39;s wild and natural landscapes in a way that incorporates our rural communities while securing jobs and livelihoods for young people. We help to coordinate research, facilitate training, employment and community engagement to develop circular economy and local opportunities to assist as we move towards a just and nature rich future and transition to net-zero.</p> <section> <section> <p>We engage with local communities to determine their priorities for land use, help them to envisage how to use land within their village or community, and turn these ideas into action. We combine heritage and tradition with innovation to find sustainable and regenerative solutions to empower our communities to tackle the issues they are facing.</p> </section> <section> <section id="two"> <section> <p>Our team helps to design and plan uses for community land before helping to make these ideas happen on the ground. We develop practical routes to increase the opportunities for localised food production, increased biodiversity, and vibrant and viable communities within our local, regional and national plans for a self sufficient and sustainable future.</p> </section> </section> </section> </section> </header>

<p style="margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">After discussions with a number of individuals &amp; organisations, we are seeking funding support to host&nbsp;a heartwarming and inclusive festive event aimed at individuals in recovery from addiction, offering them a safe and joyful space to celebrate Christmas and New Year without the influence of alcohol or drugs. For many in recovery, the holiday season can be a challenging and isolating time, often spent alone. Our event aims to change that narrative, bringing people together to share the spirit of the season in a supportive and nurturing environment. Through music, games, and activities that foster connection and friendship, we aspire to create lasting memories and a renewed sense of hope. This event&nbsp;will not only light up the holiday season for those who need it most but also reinforce the importance of recovery and community. With your support, we can make this festive season truly special, empowering individuals in recovery to embark on a brighter, healthier journey into the new year.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Installation of replacement electrical system&nbsp;for Yuletide lights in&nbsp;Ritchie Street and Main Street West Kilbride Ayrshire. Work is required&nbsp;because the existing&nbsp;electrical system which has been in place for many years no longer complies with current electrical regulations as recently intimated by NAC Building Services.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">New/replacement connections need to be provided from a number of premises in the village and the external wall cabling needs to be replaced as it is over 25&nbsp;years old. Without this work taking place there will no longer be street lighting motifs for Yuletide activities in West Kilbride much to the detriment of community wellbeing.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">If this project doesn&#39;t go ahead there will be no Yuletide street lights this year in West Kilbride for the first time in over 25 years.</span></span></p>