<p><strong>The link between exercise and mental health is complicated. Inactivity can be both a cause and a consequence of mental illness, for example. But there are lots of ways that exercise can benefit your mental health, such as:</strong></p> <ul> <li> <p><strong>The levels of chemicals in the brain, such as serotonin, stress hormones and endorphins, change when you exercise.&nbsp;</strong></p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Regular exercise can help you sleep better. And&nbsp;<a data-print-url="http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/Mood-and-sleep" href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/Mood-and-sleep">good sleep helps you manage your mood</a>.</strong></p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Exercise can improve your sense of control, coping ability and self-esteem. People who exercise regularly often report how good achieving a goal makes them feel.&nbsp;</strong></p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Exercise can distract you from negative thoughts and provide opportunities to try new experiences.</strong></p> </li> <li> <p><strong>It offers an opportunity to socialise and get social support if you exercise with others.&nbsp;</strong></p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Exercise increases your energy levels.&nbsp;</strong></p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Physical activity can be an outlet for your frustrations.&nbsp;</strong></p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Exercise can reduce skeletal muscle tension, which helps you feel more relaxed.&nbsp;<br /> North Ayrshire ice hockey club creates a safe environment to children/ young adults to support the training needs, proving them with coaches to support ongoing training needs and a facility to do this safely.</strong></p> </li> </ul>

<p>We as young ambassadors at Ardrossan Academy would like to apply for funding towards our extra curricular clubs equipment. We have a variety of clubs going on within the school for all ages however the lack of equipment means we are limited to how many kids can take part and what sports they can be offered. Alot of&nbsp;the equipment is dated and in need of replacement. This new equipment would allow for more pupils to get involved in sport who do not get the opportunity out with of school. The cost of local clubs means some of our pupils don&#39;t get the chance to try different sports and the volunteers/teachers within the school who co-ordinate the clubs need some support with this equipment fund.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Parents for Stanley would like to apply for &pound;1000 or less to allow some of the stages of the pupils from P1 - 7 who are currently doing a STEM/ Science project or an Eco themed topic to go on an educational trip to consolidate their learning and share in environmental and science based experiences and activities.&nbsp; Alot of trips are now inexcssible to our kids as the bus costs and activity cost has rocketed and this price if the parents are asked for ther full amount will impact on them financially.&nbsp; If we got funding it would either reduce the price of the trip or it would mean there was no cost.</p>

<p>With the cost of living crisis it has proved a challenge to fundraise. The team&nbsp;will be going to their first ever abroad tournament in Holland in March 2024.&nbsp;</p> <p>We have done a huge amount of fundraising to cover the costs of all the boys to travel and stay in Holland.&nbsp;</p> <p>We are applying to this fund to help cover the costs of meals,&nbsp;strips and a zip track top.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">Dreghorn Primary Parent Council(PC) would like to provide a trip for the whole school, this would be the first trip for years. &nbsp;Pupils and Parents have expressed their desire for a whole school trip but have alluded to the challenge posed by the current cost of living crisis.&nbsp; Not having a whole school trip is adversely effecting children of all ages and we want to ensure that finance is not a barrier. The PC are applying for funding to cover the cost for every child. We all have great memories of trips, we would like that for this generation. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">Outdoor learning is so important to make connections between school and the real world &ndash; bringing topics alive. The extensive benefits for health and wellbeing are also well documented.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">One pupil said &quot; I enjoy trips, they are very educational because you are in a new place, learning new things that you would never be able to see in school. Another pupil told us &quot; You get out all day to see things and its fun. I like a trip&nbsp;because you get to be with all your friends from the other classes and it can be good learning.</span></span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>