The money would be used to purchase a laptop for the Hub, enabling us to modernise our operating system onto a digital platform. The Hub has grown hugely in the 4 years we have been in operation and, although very basic systems allowed the project to get off the ground, it is no longer sustainable or finacially effective to be reliant on mobile phones, library computers and photocopiers. Having the ability to administrate the Hub digitally would allow us to communicate with NHS and other referrers securely and consistently, our accounting could be completed in-house to a higher level reducing costs to the CIC on professional fees, and a digital platform would enable us to communicate with service users in a whole new way, which would impact hugely on our interactions, particularly with young people and those in remote areas with transport limitations. We would be able to provide ongoing support and tailored wellbeing plans digitally, work remotely to ensure the service reaches people at times of crisis without delay, improve accuracy and access to information, and generate in-depth reports for funders.  

Reducing the time spent on admin would free up resources for frontline work and would allow us to provide much more resiliance and adaptability in our future work, which is an essential element in the sustainability of such a fast growing grassroots organisation.  

We would like to bring back the popular ‘Light Up Loans’ event, which hasn’t run in the village since before covid. This Christmas event brought the whole village together to sing carols and enjoy refreshments before counting down to the switch on of the Christmas lights.

We would also like to have a lovely tree within the village hall which would be lit up and on display for any events held in the hall during December.  Part of this project would be to offer local people at the Light Up Loans event to purchase a tree bauble that they decorate in memory of a loved one or with a special Christmas message.  The monies generated from this would be used for future years to replenish baubles, replace lights and decorations as required.

We’re looking to apply for funding to cover the costs of an outdoor Christmas tree (purchase, delivery and installation/removal), an indoor tree,  lights and decorations for both, baubles to personalise and refreshments for on the night.

Outdoor Christmas tree - £700

Indoor Christmas tree - £330

Lights and decorations - £300

Ceramic baubles to personlise - £200

Refreshments for event - £100

Total - £1630

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.