<p>After the covid crisis and during the current cost of living crisis, voluntary groups in Scotland have found it difficult to engage with young volunteers, This could be because young people want a paid position to they can take care of their own expenses and releave the pressure on parents, or simply do not know what it is that&#39;s required. We at Ayrshire Communities Education and Sport and Woodwynd community association and many other groups, and clubs have&nbsp;&nbsp;struggled in the past trying to engage with young volunteers many asked for part time work however to employ workers is both difficult due to funding and also brings in so many other issues. We feel that by showing what&#39;s required and having the time to do so would benefit young people, and groups, especially like ACES and woodwynd community Association. the priciple idea would be to train young volunteers at a speed where they are comfortable then when they have confidence in the training and guided by a qualified member of ACES they can begin to volunteer.&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Comic Sans MS&quot;">By entering our verse speaking event Primary Schools demonstrate their pupils&rsquo; budding reading and speaking skills, boosting their self-confidence and fostering an appreciation of the Scots language.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif"><span style="color:black">We are looking for funding to help support our Community Larder, which will be 3 years old come November, initially launch as a food bank during COVID and later developing to the Larder model. The funding would be used to purchase an additional upright&nbsp;glass fronted freezer, Countertop Food Display Unit, for the free pastries we receive, lable maker,&nbsp;and Individual Aprons / fleece for our volunteers.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;I would like to set up a social group for adults that meets regularly at the Ardrossan Church of the Nazarene. This will provide a space and time for people to relax, socialise and have a bit of fun.</p>

<p>Our aim is to allow people from our community to access food with dignity. We are looking to support 250 households access food with dignity through our community larder, This will no doubt be a relief to many working households who are struggling with the rising cost of living and who many do not qualify for extra help. The community larder has no criteria, so anyone can use it when struggling, we help those most in need through referrals from housing associations, CHAP, money matters, social services and community link workers.&nbsp;We offer a range of food that all members can access and choose what they need the most as a top up on their weekly shop. This can make the difference of eating themselves, feeding their children or even providing the basic hygiene products. As the winter months start to creep in we also find that people are having to choose between heating and eating, This puts a huge strain on any household and we endevour to help those members by allowing them to free up money they save from accessing the larder and being able top up gas and electricity.</p>

<p>Irvine Pipe Band would like to get new equipment for training and uniforms for members of the band who are not able to afford their own equipment. The project will link people up from all walks of life including New Scots as well as others from across North Ayrshire who share a passion for Scottish music. The band provides an opportunity for people to boost their mental health and wellbeing by making new friends and taking up an instrument completely free of charge.</p>

<p>We would like to continue to offer Tai-Chi classes to people living with Dementia in our local Community. Funding a qualified Tai-Chi Instructor and hiring an appropriate Hall, to undertake the classes for the local Community. Research Studies showed that in people with mild cognitive impairment Tai-Chi slowed the progression to Dementia more than other types of exercise and improved cognitive function in a comparable fashion to other types of exercise or cognitive training. Tai-chi is a safe effective activity that improves physical balance and emotional wellbeing in older adults.</p>

<p>Easter extravaganza concert with &quot;Brass Ban, Robert Burns and Bairns&quot; to encourage an intergenerational group &quot;on stage&quot; and help improve health and wellbeing of the audience after winter. A major intergenerational event for Garnock Valley.</p>

<p>Uniting diverse communities through Syrian cuisine, music, and culture. Building bonds and fostering understanding</p> <p><button></button></p> <p><button></button><button></button></p>

<p>As part of the Girlguiding family we help girls aged 4 - 7 to become more resilient through completing badgework from 6 different themes. We are well known in the area for the opportunities we give girls. We always try to source businesses locally who can provide a variety of experiences for our girls and make coming to Rainbows fun as well as in unit activities.</p>