Being awarded funding to open our studio space will align with UK Shared Prosperity Fund’s goals by strengthening the resilience of our community through creative learning and reducing isolation in our communities by bringing people together in a space that they can take ownership of. By providing accessible and affordable quality arts and entertainment we will be tackling inequalities and improving life chances for people living in our community and beyond

The Iris currently delivers creative learning workshops where people can learn how to express themselves and have their voices heard about things that matter to them by learning how to create film and theatre. By teaching people living in our community creative writing and film productions skills, we can empower people to learn and help them to improve their mental health. The Iris is a multi-award winning production company, having produced 100s of creative learning pieces with people living in our community since 2019. By having a studio space open we can empower the community to create more, bring more people together and access free or reduced cost creative learning and entertainment.

The sensory resources will be used to:

• Create a safe space which pupils can access at break and lunch to regulate

• Run a regular ‘Sensory Circuits’ group before and during the school day to help improve pupils’ mental health and wellbeing, and engage them in positive physical activity experiences.

At Ayr Academy we strive to support our young people and evidence has shown that the implementation of Sensory Circuits has a significant positive impact on learning and achievement.

To purchase the former Troon Old Parish Church and Halls from the Church of Scotland on behalf of the community.

To turn the former buildings into a safe vibrant space for all the community of KA10 and visitors.

Provide a venue for civil weddings, music, drama, theatre, and pop-up cinema within the former sanctuary.  Use the halls for access by all types of organisations and groups to provide health and well-being activities such as yoga, marital arts, dancing, well-being events, and other activities such as arts and crafts.

Create a community garden to provide vegetables and herbs for the community and hopefully encourage intergenerational working together.

We would like to offer a free 'BSL Cafe' for people to learn and also practice and use their sign language skills. We're applying for funding to buy a computer with the ability to record and show BSL videos, thus allowing learners to practise their skill and record evidence of their abilties if desired. The computer has camera, microphone and suitable sized screen.  We would also require a printer, paper and ink to provide training materials for all learners that they could take away to practice at home.

I already offer BSL classes so this would be open before, during and after classes in the Loans Village Hall. As part of the cafe, we also like to provide some refreshments, therefore purchasing a hot water urn for tea and coffee facilities aswell as mugs and spoons. The money will be used to start this up.

£500 – Computer with ability to show/record sign language videos

£200 – Printer, ink and paper

£100 – Hot water urn

£100 – Initial set up for café (mugs, spoons, tea, coffee, etc)

The purpose of Troon Men’s Shed is to provide recreational facilities and advance the social needs, health and well being of men of all ages and backgrounds living in Troon and surrounding areas. Troon Men's Shed is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) regulated by the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR), Scottish Charity number: SC053474.

Troon Men’s Shed was established in April 2024 and has a growing membership of 75 members, and currently meet fortnightly in The Lighthouse Christian Centre with guest speakers attending, as well as occasional visits to places of interest. Our members have volunteered to help out at community events in Troon at Wintertainment, Troon Round Table Fireworks and Santa Float, and we have recently assisted Ayrshire Cancer Support with practical DIY work at their new Ayr Centre. 

Members benefit by meeting with other men in a safe environment, reducing their social isolation and providing mental stimulation, which also benefits their families. The acquisition of the Hosiery Park Pavilion will enable us to meet more regularly and undertake practical workshop activities, which we are unable to do in a hired meeting hall. The establishment of workshop activities will enable men to utilise their practical skills, and to pass on their knowledge to others. It will also allow us to provide practical help to other community groups in Troon. 

A Stage 1 Community Asset Transfer Request was submitted to South Ayrshire Council in November 2024, and the Stage 2 request is currently being prepared. The Hosiery Park Pavilion building is in poor condition as it has been unused for several years, and once acquired would it will be repaired and converted into a suitable facility comprising of an activity workshop area where woodworking and other similar practical activities can be undertaken, and a separate multi-use social space. 

We are applying for funding of £2,000 towards our Shed redevelopment capital costs for:     • Ducted Air to Air to Heat Pump     • Heat Recovery Ventilation System     • Solar PV + Battery      • Sunamp Water Heater and Storage 

Information about Troon Men’s Shed is available on our website https://troonmensshed.wordpress.com/ 

We also have a Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/troonmensshed/

Membership is free and is open to any man aged 18 or over who is lives Troon or surrounding areas and who supports our purpose. Apply to join online:https://troonmensshed.wordpress.com/join/

Please support us so the men of Troon can "head to the shed". Thank you!

We plan to revitalise Prestwick Community Hall to create a more welcoming, accessible, and versatile space for local residents of all ages. The funding will be used to purchase essential decorating materials (such as matt and gloss paint, brushes, sealant, and fillers), timber for minor repairs, and laminate flooring to improve our upstairs meeting room.

A key part of the project is the installation of heavy, full-length blackout curtains around the main hall. These will dramatically improve the sound quality during live music events and performances by reducing echo and enhancing acoustics. The curtains will also enable us to host daytime shows, film screenings, and community events that require light control.

These upgrades will allow us to expand our programme of activities and attract a broader range of users — from Pensioners, youth groups and adult learners to music performers, social clubs, and family-friendly events. This funding will help us transform the hall into a vibrant, inclusive hub at the heart of Prestwick's community life.

Purchase new shelving and storage for the use of the groups who raise funds in the charity shop 

also freshin up the walls etc with paint 

We will design, have printed and install four high impact pop-up banners that we will rotate around community hubs across Prestwick, Monkton and Dundonald (Businesses, libraries, GP surgeries, Dentists).  

Each will feature:

• Bold headline such as “Unpaid Carer? Get Local Support in... (Prestwick x2/Dundonald/Monkton) Now”  
• Live QR code linking directly to the 24/7 Bridget carer support platform and direct registration.
• Local branding: Carers Gateway Group logo and colour palette as well as Prestwick & Villages LPP
• Concise prompt: “Scan for immediate advice, support, digital training and workshops”

By rotating these banners around high footfall points, we’ll help normalise carer identity, drive early self-referral and steer carers straight to round the clock help before challenges escalate. 

What is Bridget?: It is a cutting edge online self help service, that harnesses AI to help carers of all ages. It’s specifically designed to provide personalised localised support and information to help people care loved ones and themselves. Carers can quickly select the topics that affect them and it instantly build them a custom carer support plan with advice, health tips and information about local events and services. It registers the Carer with the Gateway in touch through email and text, offering more help where you need it. We’ll also check in regularly to see how you’re doing and offer extra support when necessary. Carers can access everything anytime, day or night and if they choose to register they can save their plan and pick up where they left off next time.

Need: Economic value of unpaid care: The UK’s 6.4 million unpaid carers save the public purse an estimated £119 billion every year more than the entire NHS budget. Based on demographic proportions, we estimate there are 1,200 unpaid carers in Prestwick & villages. Without increasing easy, visible, public prompts many Carers may only seek help once in crisis. Our “Get Local Support Now” banners, with live QR links to Bridget, will help normalise “carer” as an identity, lower access barriers and drive early referrals, reducing later resource heavy emergency interventions.