We are hoping to set up our own football team as part of our Friday Night Drop-In and our Summer Programme Project, and develop the team further as the new school year starts. We have access to great indoor and outdoor space; but due to having lack of equipment we haven`t managed to utilise these spaces yet for more organised sport activities.

Quite a few young people visiting the Ark show great interest in football and we think it would be an exciting opportunity for them to be able to set up their own team. The proposed team name is Ark United.

We are looking to arrange personalised football kit, football agility and speed training kit, training footballs and a target net for the goal post.

We would also love to promote the love of golf amongst the children visiting us, especially with Scotland being the "birthplace" of golf. The equipment we would like to purchase would be suitable for indoor play too and also could be used outdoors.

We are looking to invest into 2 Golf indoor/outdoor putting mat, some golf putters, golf ball and a golf chipping game set ("golf darts").

As part of our Summer Holiday Programme we are looking to organise a golfing experience day and we would like to be able to provide continuity for the kids who show greater interest in the sport.

We do understand that funds are limited and we are happy to work with any funding availability and alter our project accordingly if that is an option.

We are creating a community-focused workspace on Newmarket Street. The funding will help us purchase furniture, lighting, and fixtures to make the space welcoming and ready for workshops, meetings, and events. It will support local enterprise, adult learning, and community development.

The objective is to create, and then manage, an inclusive community project which will create a stunning art installation within the old railway tunnel at the Brig O’ Doon, Alloway, Ayr. Our objectives include the advancement of education (community involvement in the creation of art-works and heritage films on active-travel paths); community development by engaging people of all ages; school-pupils; students; youth and older groups and other interested individuals in the creative process; the advancement of the arts, heritage and culture by engaging people’s interest in art and developing their artistic abilities; and for this particular project – bringing to life through art Ayrshire’s culture, heritage and social history, and improving the conditions of life through the creation of a multi-purpose community venue. The tunnel has been cleaned of the offending graffiti and the mural is being installed in four separate stages as funding is raised. As of April 2025 the first three stages have been completed and the mural hung with the involvement of several schools, colleges and community groups working with Thriving Communities on an outreach basis. In addition, young people are making short films which visitors to the mural can access via QR codes to see and hear the real stories being depicted on the mural.We are now seeking funding for the final stage of the mural which will include the further involvement of local schools and community groups. 

We are applying for £2,000 towards the costs of materials, primarily the plywood boards on which the artwork is painted, to allow us to complete final stage of the project.