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Polly To Plate
2023-09-11 • 2 comments • • Garnock Valley
Within the Garnock Valley there is a substantial amount of families and individuals who live in poverty. A few years ago, as a charity-based organization, we felt that this is something that we should address and started to look at what we could do to help in our community. The statistics at that time found that 1 in 3 children in the Garnock Valley go to bed without a meal at dinner time. We introduced a community meal where families can get a three course meal for £2.50 and children can eat free, we also accept referrals through the local authority and other organisations which allows families, and or individuals who are strugling with the cost of living, to eat for free. This has become very popular over the last few years with orders ranging from 55 – 125 individuals. This usually varies depending on what is on the menu that night. As well as a collection service we offer a delivery to those who are unable to get to the building, which gives an apportunity for our trained staff to check in with those who live in isolation. Currently our vegetables for our meals are purchased through a local supplier. We have discussed for some time that it would be more cost effective if we could grow our own vegetables and use these as part of the meal we provide.
Within the Community Hub we support adults with learning disabilities and as part of their daily programme, we could implement a grow your own food activity. This is something that the service users would really enjoy and are currently doing this on a much smaller scale within our garden. The ingredients could be used both for the community meals and when the service user's are making food within the training kitchen, which is where they prepare a meal from scratch to take home to eat. The positive aspect being the reward for the time spent growing the vegetables/fruit, so that they can enjoy this as well as the most vulnerable people in our community.
We are looking to do more to help the vulnerable in Garnock Valley, by proposing to implement cooking classes for the impoverished. This venture is still in its infancy; however we are keen to develop this. The food grown within the Polly tunnel could also be used for this project once we have the service up and running.
Polly tunnel - £500
Groundwork -£500
Montgomery Court Entertainment Committee
2023-08-31 • No comments • • Garnock Valley
Establishing a Lunch Club £316
New Bingo Machine £200
100th Birthday Party for Resident £110
Christmas Party £110
Hot water urn £74
Catering tea pots £50
Beith Orr Park Neighbourhood Watch (Community Garden)
2023-09-18 • No comments • • Connected Communities • Garnock Valley
Over the years since we began the garden we receive an annual inspection by the Royal Horticultural Society on behalf of Keep Scotland Beautiful.
For the last 3 years, we have had the top grade with a certificate of distinction, this by independent assessors.
Our need is to replace planters and also top soil/compost and to re-furbish the book swap cabinet doors.
The top Gazebo has been set on fire several times and we wish to make good the damage.
Also several benches have been damaged and we would like to replace 2 of these.
- Wood for 4 planters £320
- Material for 2 benches £250
- Material for book swap doors £ 60
- Wood for top Gazebo £150
- Compost and plants £350
- Total £1130
Engineering Employment Training
2023-08-30 • No comments • • Garnock Valley
We are looking to develop a training programme that will have direct links to a modern apprenticeship in engineering. Our intention is to purchase an engine and then design and manufacture a sit on Lawnmower that the young people will be able to use in British Lawnmower Racing Association event. Between 6-8 young people with an interest in engineering will be selected to attend a weekly training sessions lasting 90 minutes. During this time the young people will design, manufacture and assemble the sit on lawnmower. The one off payment of £1000 will be used to purchase an engine and through this purchase we will be able to recycle all parts and adapt the design each year to offer a similar opportunity to more young people every year.