Estimated Price

£2,000

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In relation to the identified priorities in the Guidance & Essential criteria what will your idea achieve and who will benefit from your project?

Stinchar Connections links people from Girvan, Pinmore, Pinwherry, Barrhill, Colmonell, Ballantrae, Lendalfoot and Barr by providing a timetabled service of buses in the local area. The Stinchar Connections Development Officer came into post in May 2025, and she is working to ensure transport meets the needs of people from the area. This funding will ensure further development,promotion and marketing of the project at a range of community events where Stinchar Connections will have a presence.

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Please describe what you plan to do and what the money will be used for? (i.e., purchase equipment/resources)

Stinchar Connections is a community transport initiative which connects communities in the Stinchar Valley area. The steering group have received funding through Carrick Futures to run a timetabled bus service connecting Girvan, Pinmore, Pinwherry, Barrhill, Colmonell, Ballantrae and Lendalfoot on 6 days of the week. The group has also received Community Mental Health and Wellbeing funding for a Development Officer to help progress the project over the next year. Stinchar Connections is aiming to become constituted, open a bank account and apply for charitable status, however Colmonell Community Association have agreed to act as sponsor organisation meantime. NHS Ayrshire & Arran Health Improvement Team are also supporting the project by evaluating the first year of the pilot transport project. We have applied to Carrick Futures for a second year of the pilot timetabled service. 

The participatory budgeting funding would allow further promotion of the project by the Stinchar Connections Development Officer at local community events where she will have a stall to promote the service. This will help with recruitment of volunteer bus drivers for local trips, which will help the project become more sustainable. A budget for branded clothing has also been included, for the volunteers who will be helping to drive the buses for community outings. We have included a budget for a laptop and software for the Development Officer, as well as costs for printed leaflets and marketing materials (e.g. banner, gazebo, beach flag, pens) to help with promotion.