The group sees an average of 15-17 bereaved people attending each Friday, with new referrals being made weekly, to receive peer-support, friendship and companionship from others who have been bereaved, making them feel less alone in their grief, and reducing feelings of social isolation and loneliness, whilst promoting better mental health and wellbeing. 

There is very limited support in the community for bereaved people, with waiting lists at an all-time high, highlighting the importance of community supports, such as Healing Hearts, which has already made a significant difference to bereaved people across North Ayrshire. 

Room at Kilwinning Library at £3.70 ph x 2 hours per week = £7.40 per week x 48 weeks = £355.20 for the year. The group also require tea, coffee, milk, sugar and biscuits for each group, averaging £6 per week = £288

Total £983.20

Our volunteers and members regularly attend other events promoting the Community Garden and we would like to provide warm fleeces/ waterproof jackets with our logo. Also advertising material to help promote the amazing work our volunteers do. 

We have two bee hives which are now producing honey. Two of our trustees self fundeed a bee keeping course and bought their own suits. We would like to purchase two additional suits to allow members of the community who would like to learn about bee keeping and see first hand what happens within the hive.

We would like to trial soup packs made up with the produce from the garden . These would include everything to take home to make soup including a recipe. Two of our volunteers recently attended a beginners cooking class at a Radio City initiative and thoroughly enjoyed the experience, gaining so much confidence in preparing and cooking simple wholesome meals.

Fleeces/ jackets £470, Bee Suits £110, Advertising banners and leaflets £200, Soup packs £150,  various gardening gloves £70

We, a group of Syrian New Scots, are embarking on a remarkable journey to promote cultural understanding, foster unity, and build bridges within our local community. Our project, "Bridging Communities Through Syrian Cuisine," is a testament to our belief that food can transcend borders and create meaningful connections.

Our Vision

Our vision is simple yet profound: by sharing the rich heritage of our cuisine, music, and traditions, we aim to bring Scottish, Syrian, and other communities together through food. It's about celebrating the universal language of food as a catalyst for stronger, more inclusive communities.

Our Culinary Heritage

At the heart of our project lies the vibrant tapestry of Syrian cuisine. Iconic dishes like falafel and kebabs serve as gateways to the soul of Syrian culture. Through these flavors, we hope to introduce our Scottish neighbors to a world of tastes and traditions.

Our Inclusive Approach

Inclusivity is at the core of our project. Regardless of cultural backgrounds, we extend an open invitation to all members of the local community. It's about creating a space where diversity is celebrated, and friendships are forged.

Our Plan

Over the course of our project, we intend to host ten large brunch sessions at Whitehirst Community Centre. Each session promises to be a sensory delight, featuring expertly prepared Syrian cuisine, live music, and laughter. These gatherings aren't just about savoring delicious food; they are opportunities for genuine cultural exchange and interaction.

By sharing our culture and embracing others with open hearts, we aim to build a more connected, empathetic, and inclusive community. We kindly request support to turn this vision into reality and create a brighter future for all. Together, we believe we can build bridges, one meal at a time.

Costs:

Food ingredients per session £100 x 10 = £1000. (enough to feed 30+ people per session).

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.

Garnock Valley Allotment Association Bee Colony and Honey Production.

Bees are pollinators. Pollinators are vital for life on earth as we know it, without them we wouldnt have potatoes, strawberries, tomatoes, coffee,chocolate, cotton or honey. However Bee populations are in danger of extinction due to a number of factors such as disease, habitat loss and the impact of pesticides. Organic food production, which is practiced at the Garnock Valley Allotment Associiation is ideal for a Bee colony as it creates a safe haven for the Bees to survive. Please Bee kind and vote for the GVAA Bee Colony Project.

Costs

New Bee Hive - £250-00

Bee Suits- £250.00

New Equipment to extract and distribute Honey- £300

Training and Education eg Ayr Beekeeping Course- £200

Auchengate, and in particular Dundonald Crescent, is home to an abundance of wildlife, beautiful views, and families with young children. Our committee members, with the help of those families, contribute a very diverse mix of skills and experience, and are coming together to help our residents by volunteering time, services and knowledge to improve and enhance the look of our estate, whilst building relationships and community spirit. Due to the cost-of-living crisis and the cost of garden maintenance equipment, such as lawnmowers, many of our residents cannot afford the extra expense that comes with garden maintenance, or simply do not have the time due to working whilst supporting young children, or the knowledge to use such equipment safely. This is where DCERA can help.

We would like to purchase two items for our community.

1. Currently, a member of our committee volunteers his time to cut the grass on the front and rear gardens for 25 out of 76 properties within the estate. He generously does this with his personal old mower which is not reliable or fit for purpose for this capacity of work on a weekly basis. We are looking to buy a new mower from a local company that will provide us with great aftercare and a service plan, to be used by two members of the committee to share the responsibility and workload. DCERA will also be covered with liabilty insurance.

2. We intend to buy a good quality, heavy duty gazebo, that will be bespoke made with our DCERA logo. This will be used regularly at events within our estate and further afield for fundraising, drop-in sessions, community barbecues, boot sales, sports and games, and a whole host of other uses.

Cost of Lawnmower - £450

Cost of Gazebo - £600