The Ardrossan youth association are looking to apply for funding for outdoor equipment for the youth centre to help young people experience outdoor group activities such as badminton, racket ball, soft archery, camping and more.

Health and exercise along with being outdoors will help young people with team building skills, self-esteem and confidence. It will encourage young people to live a healthier lifestyle .This will improve their health and wellbeing with being outdoors more, which is known to improve general fitness and health along with improving their mental health. The AYA are looking to buy some outdoor equipment for the youth centre, such as badminton nets and rackets, shuttle cocks, rackets for rounder’s, balls and some tents, waterproofs to also help give young people the chance to take part in camping and other outdoor activities and encourage them to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.

4 X 3 person tents £680

badminton set £48.99

softball set £30.99

Tennis set £39.99

8 X rucksacks £120

The unit currently has single person paddle boards but these are unsuitable for younger persons who would not be able to operate them. The unit seeks funding to purchase large paddle boards which hold 6 to 8 young persons. This would allow more young persons to try paddle boarding.

We do not need to buy any safety equipment as we are well stocked with them. The equipment is stored in a locked garage at the scout hall.

Our group seeks to help foster skills in 12-25 year olds by growing soft literacy and numeracy skills, as well as creative storytelling, critical thinking, social interaction, and brainstorming.

Our group compromises dedicated players and dungeon masters who share a common belief in the transformative power of tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons. Ranging from 12 to 25, we come together to create an inclusive and welcoming environment that fosters personal growth, social interaction, and skill development.

We operate out of the Ardeer Community Centre in Stevenston and meet up once a week to play through engaging scenarios that involve a lot of team work, brainstorming, and critical problem solving.

Our Objectives

• Enhancing Social Interaction: D&D is a collaborative game that promotes teamwork, communication, and empathy. Through role-playing and problem solving, participants learn to work together, respect diverse perspectives inspired from real world cultures across the globe, and building friendships that last outside of the game.
• Critical Thinking: Dungeons & Dragons is a game of strategy and decision making. Players face complex scenarios, forcing them to think critically, plan, and adapt to unexpected challenges. These skills are transferable to academic and other real-life situations.
• Soft Skills: D&D involves basic arithmetic, probability, and reading comprehension skills. By engaging in storytelling, participants improve their literacy, numeracy, and analytical abilities in a fun and engaging manner.

We believe that through these three objectives, we are able to give people a creative space and a voice for youth to grow socially, intellectually, and emotionally.

The need for funding

To continue our mission effectively, we require funding to acquire more rulebooks, modules, and supplementary materials. These resources will allow us to:

• Expand our reach: With additional materials, we can accommodate more participants, reaching youth who may not have access to such opportunities otherwise.
• Customise Experiences: D&D is versatile, and having a diverse collection of books enables us to tailor our sessions to the specific interests and needs of our participants, making learning more engaging and relevant.

The impact of this funding goes beyond the gaming table, as it helps participants develop critical life skills, gain confidence, and foster a love for learning. Lessons learned in our D&D sessions positively influence the academic and personal success of our participants.

Pricing Breakdown

• Supplement books: £400 (approx) to get 10 additional source books
• Tabletop 3D models: £150 (approx) to acquire 6 custom figures for our current players, and £100 to purchase a plethora of more generic models to give to future players.