We will soon create a large (1 hectare), shallow wetland at Ardeer Quarry Local Nature Reserve in Stevenston to benefit biodiversity and make the reserve a more interesting and enjoyable place to visit. We received planning permission last year, and one of the planning conditions was that an archaeologist oversees the creation of the wetland to ensure that the groundworks don't disturb any undiscovered archaeological relics that might be at the site. Before we can apply for funding to create the wetland, we need to fund the production of an archaeological method statement, which will then be signed-off by NAC, allowing us to move forward with the creation of the wetland. The single cost is an Archaeological Method Statement (which sets out for NAC how the archaeologist will oversee the construction of the wetland) at £318.

We live in an area of deprevation, this means that council up lifts or skip hire is costly for some people to prevent these costs reidents are fly tipping. There is alot of fly tipping in our area and we are greatful to the local volunteers who who take time to try and do the their best to make our community a place to be proud of as well as making it it safer for our wildlife, animals and kids to run around. Some of the items fly tipped are to big for the volunteers to lift, so have to leave it until these are picked up by Streetscene workers.

We are applying for money to cover the cost of  two skips, so local resident can come and use it rather than fly tip it. There will be no cost for people to come along and dispose of their rubbish, hopefully this will reduce the fly tipping, making our commmunity a better place. We will pilot this over 2 months to see if it reduces the fly tipping and then maybe look at doing it a few times a year. 

Skips x 2  £816

Permits x 2 130

The Ardrossan Church of the Nazarene is based on Glasgow Street, Ardrossan and is well used by both the church and the community. The church building is open daily and hosts a range of church and community activities, groups and events.

We are planning on redeveloping the grounds by the side entrances of the church (which are the main entrances during the week) into a safe and welcoming community space. This space will include a seating area where visitors to the building, or members of the community who are passing through, can sit and rest or socialise. The space will also include a growing area with raised beds built and installed, where members of the community can come and work together to grow and harvest their own fruit and vegetables. Raised beds will enable people of all abilities to particilate, and the space will also be wheelchair accessible.

Both of these elements will help to combat things like social isolation and contribute towards the positive physical and mental wellbeing of members of the community. The growing area in particular  will also help to build confidence, and resilience, as well as building community. We are requesting funds specifically to go towards the development of the growing area.

Costs

Raised Planters - £574

Compost - £357

We are appying for support to allow us to provide Baby Sensory classes to our members.  Baby sensory is a fully interactive session which includes music, bubbles , puppets and sensory experiences. 

By supporting the parents and carers to bond, form attachments and play with their child the child's health and wellbeing is improved and they thrive in a safe environment. This early intervention results in better outcomes for all. The babies and children have the opportunity to mix with children of their own age and stage of development and this leads to learning how to socially interact appropriately with others.

The sessions are open to all and are led by a professional in child development.

The classes cost £50 per session 

Mindful Makers supports Health and Wellbeing in the Three Towns. Our mantra is ‘Be Kind to Your Mind’ (see Descriptive Image attached), and we will build on our successful previous projects (see Document 1 attached, Saltcoats Mindful Makers Report July 2023). We are a non-registered not-for-profit group and are applying for funding to continue teaching and nurturing creative textile skills in the context of mindfulness and social connection. Our aim is to combat loneliness, so we bring people together in a positive and safe environment while building confidence through the acquisition and practice of new skills. We also aim to enhance emotional resilience, by encouraging and challenging people to adapt to new techniques; for instance, in August we explored how being outdoors in nature can heighten the stress-reducing benefits of mindfulness, and the success of this exercise meant that we intend to repeat it annually. To meet the increased demand for Mindful Makers activities over this past year we doubled engagement opportunities for participants who come from all across the Three Towns. Please see the Box below for a description of how we organise our activities.  Funding goes to the provision of materials, and workshops and tutoring are provided free of charge to ensure there is no financial barrier to participation amongst vulnerable and/or disadvantaged communities (see Document 2 attached for a few examples of Mindful Makers activities). Mindful Makers will provide a warm welcome throughout the winter at Saltcoats Library, and through our outreach work at CLASP HOPE in Stevenston, while a link has been established for outreach work in Ardrossan where we plan to hold an Introductory Workshop at the Library in January 2024. Additional activities already planned for the next few months include:  A further 6-week outreach textile project at CLASP HOPE in Stevenston starting on 19 September; we will be supporting the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival in October by holding an extended workshop focussing on the benefits of mindfulness and shared experiences for mental well-being, and also involve Saltcoats Book Group using carefully selected reading materials; we will support a collaborative community fund-raising event in conjunction with CLASP HOPE in October where we will sell items produced using participants’ new skills to raise additional funds to support our sustainability. Through a link with Ardrossan Castle Heritage Society made at the North Ayrshire Participatory Budgeting and Chit Chat event we are proposing to hold a field trip as the basis for a creative project.

We are applying for funding of £600, to reflect the enormously increased costs of materials in recent months and our greater number of participants. £550 will be for materials, and £50 for awareness-raising and hand-outs.

Dementia Wellbeing Cafe has recently opened on the 21st July and runs every Friday in the Argyll Community Centre from 1-3pm.  It is for people living with demenita and the unpaid carer, friend or family member to come along to have a chat and a cuppa and meet other likeminded people to provide support.  There is also releveant support organisations that come along to answer any questions. 

The money will be used to reemburse volunteer expenses, replensih cafe stock e.g. tea/coffee biscuits etc to enable us to continue to provide the cafe free to people to, ensuring that cost is not a barrier to people attending. 

The project is about getting older people who are aged 50+ active, engaged socially and involved in their community. Its about increasing resilience, improve wellness and mental health and importantly having fun and trying something new. Participants can also complete A Discovery Award. This is a great way to recognise their achievements at the group. The award has 4 key sections; a Journey of Discovery visit a place of interest and share the experience, Volunteering in the Community, a Leisure Pursuit that promotes wellness and health and finally a Hobby or Interest. 

Group members through the 3TCDA have volunteered and continue to volunteer at a great variety groups and projects such as Eglinton Park, a dementia friendly cafe, a community larder, a charity shop a community a cafe. Participants have also done dog walking for neighbours who are not physically able to do so. Through the Journey of Discovery participants have visited many local heritage sites and place of interest in North Ayrshire and further afield, they have shared their hobbies and interests with each other. We find that all of this raises’ members confidence and creates a sense of belonging, a spirit of positive ownership of community projects and contributes to our overall wellbeing. The project offers free or affordable activities to those in our community who otherwise may not be able to take part in these social and community opportunities because of the cost of living crisis.  

As the working group for the 3TCDA we are looking for funding to ensure that we can continue to offer older people accessible, positive social, interest based and accessible opportunities in the community that they live in.  

Transport costs £200

Entrance Fees - £300

Hospitality - £200

Resources for projects  - £300

We love to give our girls great opportunities and experiences. the money will go towards our annual sleepover, crafts, our christmas trip and a science evening provided by silly science..

Sleepover - £300 Christmas trip - £300 Silly Science - £200 Crafts - £200