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 are applying for funding to enable our over 60's club to hold a special Burns Supper.  This event would provide a beacon of light in the dark winter months when social isolation and the cost of living crisis have an even greater impact on people's health and wellbeing.  This event would bring the club together with celebration and fun.  With this funding we would be able to organise food and entertainment for this event which would make it a special day for all group members to enjoy.   Our club plays a vital role in combatting loneliness and encourages members to come along weekly to connect with others and share enjoyable experiences.  The club means so much to its members and has a real impact on people's lives in a positive way.  Any additional funding would help us to pay for the ongoing weekly letting cost of £50.  

Burns Supper: including food, toasts, entertainment and hall hire-£600

Hall letting fees for 8 weeks- £400

We’re planning to pave round 4 raised beds in Cumbrae Community Garden to make access easier for people with restricted mobility, such as wheelchair/mobility scooter users or those needing walking aids. The Community Garden has a positive impact on health and well-being, not only for plot-holders but for the wider community who can access the peaceful outdoor environment of the Garden and take part in organised social events. This project will encourage more participation and improve community cohesion by improving access for people with a range of mobility needs and will help us promote community growing within a more vulnerable group.

The project costs exceed the PB grant limit but we have funding in place from the National Lottery which will meet the balance.

Costs:

Slabs £1300

Additional materials, delivery costs, labour: £1500

Total project cost £2800

Funding already in place: £1800

Funding requested from PB: £1000

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 postcard collection was digitised last winter using private facilities. The remaining collections should be digitised inhouse.   This will be an opporunity for our current and new members/volunteers to come together over the winter months while the museum is closed to the general public.   This project will be a major contribution to ensuring that our heritage is safely recorded for future generations. To make this possible we would kindly ask for funding towards: 

Viisan S21 A2 Overhead Scanner £335 Epson FastFoto FF-680W Scanner £440 Brother MFC-J5345DW Scanner/copier £160 Toshiba 2TB Canvio Basics Portable External Hard Drive £50

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.

Brass band: £700

Hall hire: £200 (Geilsland Hall)

Choirs (youth): £150 donation schools

Refreshments: £350 (guests, audience and performers)

Parking stewards: £50

First aiders: £50

Admin: £50

Total est: £1550

We will alo have a display relating to green issues from NAC waste management team.

We meet every Monday in the Hayocks Hall, Stevenston. The aim for the funds raised will go towards local senior citizens having activities within their local community, this will prevent loneliness and will also benefit physical and mental health, we play bingo and have quizzes, this funding will also help contribute towards prizes to keep members motivated.   

The funding we're applying for will go towards:

• £580 for bus trips, having this funding means members from all financial situations can be involved. 
• £420 for yearly events such as Christmas Dinner, Burns Night and Easter.