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

Social activities such as this can have a genuinely 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 would use any funding we received for:

Transport to Glasgow: £160

Theatre tickets: £560

Afternoon Tea: £280

We hope to run another social trip to the parkhead forge and market. The funding would pay for the bus journey and lunches for our members.

Bus Cost £480

Lunches £410

"Recovery Rejoice: A Sober Celebration of Christmas & New Year" will be an evening of entertainment designed to fill the holiday season with joy, connection, and hope. The event venue is adorned with twinkling lights and festive decorations, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Inviting people from the whole of the Recovery Community to join us on 28th December, including both voluntary & statutory sectors (event will be ticketed to ensure numbers don't exceed venue capacity)

The heart of the celebration lies in the music and dancing. We will have DJ spinning uplifting tunes that inspire everyone to hit the dance floor. Participants can relax &  unwind while dancing the night away to tunes from the 80's & 90's up to present time.

A night of festive games, adding an element of friendly competition and laughter to the occasion. From old school festive games to interactive challenges, there's something for everyone to enjoy. These activities not only provide entertainment but also encourage bonding among attendees.

One of the most magical moments of the event is when Santa makes a surprise visit. Santa's arrival brings smiles to all faces, as he personally hands out small, thoughtful gifts to each guest. This traditional touch reminds everyone that the spirit of giving and generosity transcends sobriety.

Throughout the evening, the air is filled with laughter, conversations, and the sound of people coming together in unity. It's a celebration of life, recovery, and the strength of community. "Recovery Rejoice" ensures that individuals who might have spent past holidays feeling isolated now have a place where they can create cherished memories, experience the joy of the season, and know that they are not alone on their journey to recovery.

Venue - £80

Food & Soft Drinks - £200

Entertainment - £100

Festive Decorations - £50

Santa Visit - £50

Gifts for attendees - £200

Irvine Burns Club are seeking funding to provide trophies and book prizes for those pupils nominated to represent their schools at a “Champion of Champion” event held in Wellwood Burns Centre and Museum and demonstrate their skill in presenting their chosen poem. It is intended that there will be three categories, Primaries 1-2; Primaries 3-4 and Primaries 5-7.

Those nominated by their schools are also eligible to compete in the Ayrshire Association of Burns Clubs Schools’ Competition held later in the year.

If successful there they can go forward to perform at the Robert Burns World Federation National Festival. In the recent past several of our young people have been successful at this stage.

There are 11 Primary Schools in the Irvine Area and it is hoped that all would participate.

We seek funding to purchase 36 trophies at a cost of £20 each (£720) and 36 book prizes at a cost of £7.50 each (£270) a total of £990.

Any unused trophies and book prizes purchased would be held for use in following years.

New communal instruments i.e. drums - £500 Hall let hire - £100 Uniforms for young people - £250 Tutoring from professionals - £150 Total - £1000

Having new equipment would allow the band to take on more beginners and give more young people the opportunity to take part in the band. We have some New Scots in the band and would love to be able to take on more to share the culture of Scottish music. People from all over North Ayrshire come to the band and its an opportunity for people to link up and get to know new people and make friends. In terms of mental health and wellbeing, we have some people in the band who suffer from PTSD, elderly people and some who are socially isolated.

The pipe band is really beneficial for the volunteers who build their confidence running the band and getting this funding would mean a lot to us in terms of increasing capacity and learning how to do more things with the band. We work with other voluntary organisations across Irvine to provide pipers for special events at a discounted rate and also refer people to the band who want to learn a new instrument.

About 2 months ago we started manually burning signs onto wood, which has proven to be a sucess with the community and we now wish to purchase a wood burning machine (PyroprinterX) to do a more professional job in a much quicker time, we will also need a laptop/ computer to run the softwear.

PyroprinterX and softwear £629.00 (including postage) plus £118 expected Inport Duty, as it is manufactured in Ukraine - £747.00

Laptop/ Computer approx £500

Total expected costs £1,247

This project aims to create a community carousel in partnership with HSCP Carers Team, Youth Services, and KA Leisure to create opportunities within each locality. This will provide a family respite opportunity for unpaid carers accessing the service, or for individuals who may require support in benefit advice, education support, funding, carer support plans or a listening ear as we understand how demanding being an unpaid carer can be. This project will initially be rolled out in seldom-heard communities such as Garnock Valley and North Coast where we aim to provide support within our capacity to unpaid carers along with a fun day out for families to access activities and information based on their needs and abilities. This project will provide an opportunity to tackle isolation, food poverty, and fuel poverty by giving carers a safe, warm space to use for the day where they can bring their cared for, and also access a meal and refreshments along with the company of Carers Centre staff and partners.

North Coast Locality cost breakdown: (250), arts and crafts supplies for young and adult carers - 100, food provisions - 150

Three Town Locality cost breakdown: (250), arts and crafts supplies for young and adult carers - 100, food provisions - 150

Garnock Valley Locality cost breakdown: (250), arts and crafts supplies for young and adult carers - 100, food provisions - 150

Irvine Locality cost breakdown: (250), arts and crafts supplies for young and adult carers - 100, food provisions - 150

Choices Community Shop currently has over 500+ households registered to access a food with dignity approach to addressing food insecurity in the local area. With an equal divide of families, couples and single people, the cost of cooking food is a worry for everyone. With winter approaching and the cost of living ongoing, many households have told us that they are worried about whether they will be able to heat and cook this year. 

Choices Community Shop would therefore like to purchase food and containers to be able to prepare healthy, nutricious "ready meals" that households can take as part of the offer within the food larder. These meals will be suitable for heating in a microwave thus reducing the households cooking costs.

Food for meals: £800

Food Safe Containers: £200