The Tarbolton Community Council SCIO is applying for this funding as part of its affiliation with the ‘Three Villages Forum’. We have recently ran a ‘Trip Down Memory Lane’ project which was out inaugural project to show people that as villages we are not only tightly night in terms of our history but the communities are still close. During this some old copies of a monthly newsletter that was distributed round Tarbolton in the 80s/90s called ‘The Tarbolton Times’ were found and brought along to our consultation sessions and from the public there was an overwhelming consensus that this is something that should be brought back.

In the times that we live in where everything is posted on social media, those who aren’t on it find life very isolating (especially in the outlying villages of Tarbolton, Annbank, and Mossblown). In addition to this, there is no space for community groups to provide regular longer form updates to the public because of social medias demand for content to be short and engaging for our ever shrinking attention spans. The Three Villages Forum is going to bring back the Tarbolton Times as ‘The Voice of the Villages’ which will be a monthly/bi-monthly printed booklet/newsletter that will be sold within the Three Villages. This will help to bring the communities closer together by updating each other on our news and it will also reduce social isolation, an issue which is so prevalent, within the villages by updating those socially isolated on what is going on in the community and what events are running, encouraging them to attend and integrate back into community life.

This is going to help prepare people for employment, training, education & volunteering opportunities because the magazine is going to be run solely by young volunteers. Equipping with them with skills in journalism, writing, communications, design, commercial printing, marketing, distribution, community engagement, and so much more we are providing them with invaluable on-the-job experience that they can they use when applying to jobs, apprenticeships, college, university, etc. We plan to work with industry experts who can come and speak to the volunteer team and provide them with advice for those wishing to go into the industries.

All profits that are made off the publication will go right back into the production of it.

In order to make the project viable in the long term and reduce costs we plan to purchase the printing equipment and materials ourselves rather than relying on commercial printing costs for each issue. We plan to apply for £4,829.72 which will cover a Printer, Machinery, Materials, and Workstations.

The money being applied for will be used for  equipmnet to support the running of sessions at a variety of venues  across South Ayrshire.  

Funds include: Lets Ballistic Safety Net Archery Equipment Course fees / coaches Notes: The equipment and net will have a legacy use from the project and will be used to continue to support community events, out of hours school events, holiday sports initiatives, sessions for Scouts, Guides/ Boys Brigadeetc and ongoing work to support individuals engagement in sport specifically for those that would not normallly have considered trying archery as a sport. Engagement in sport will foster not only physical activity but also the benfits to mental health.

The Honeypot Children’s Charity has provided residential short breaks for young carers aged 5-12 for nearly 30 years - and since 2023 from our Honeypot House located in rural East Ayrshire. Young carers referred to us for a break spend 3 days and 2 nights at our house – a former school that has been refurbished to provide bedrooms and play areas so that we can host groups of 12 children and provide a range of activities. We also offer Memory Making Days and further wraparound support for young carers and their families. Through our partnership with the South Ayrshire Health and Social Carer Partnership we support many young carers from South Ayrshire.

As part of our range of wraparound services, we can offer young carer families support through our Wellbeing Fund. Wellbeing grants have a value of up to £250.  These grants will be used for essentials such as laptops that young carers need to do schoolwork, clothing including school uniforms, blankets, furniture such as beds and mattrasses, and white goods such as more energy efficient fridges or laundry machines. These purchases provide great relief to disadvantaged households who are struggling to make ends meet. Our dedicated Wellbeing Fund Co-ordinator will work with families who apply for these grants to assess their eligibility (if they can evidence financial hardship) and what their most urgent needs are and how goods purchased can help them save money and/or benefit the young carer with their education for example.

The group has just been developed, the funds would be used to purchase a supply of long life food which can be donated to those in need. Funds would also be used to purchase solar powered torch,radio and power banks, flasks and portable generators to be loaned out in emergency circumstances.

Your funding would help the Charity to enhance the provision to children and families in Ayr North through our extra time project which runs after schools in the 4 primary schools.  The project brings people together through football, promoting improved heatlh and wellbeing, reducing isolation and offering guidance and support to reduce child poverty, improve awareness of support avaailable through resources including the information and advice hub, and promoting access to skills, education and employment.

The Charity will also aim to offer volunteering opportunities including football coaching qualifications and the opportunity to get involved in the charity's many projects,

The poverty and deprivation rates in Ayr North are among the highest in Scotland, the charity's work across the community  is committed to tackling these issues long term.

With the community being recognised as the most deprived Community in South Ayrshire and in the top 5% most deprived data zones in Scotland, it is evident that financial inclusion and wellbeing support is needed within the community. Vics are very fortunate to have received funding that has helped create a staffing resource who can provide support; however, the team require funding to be able to offer vouchers to support food and fuel poverty, support people in crisis, organise early intervention programmes/support for young people, adults and families and continue to support people with training that leads to volunteering and employment.

Our Community Team anticipate an increase in referrals and people engaging with Vics when our new Community Hub opens. The Hub will provide a new place/space where we can offer a range of activities such as cooking on a budget, mental health and wellbeing programmes and support for volunteers.

Funding will be used to assist, support and develop our work in North Ayr and funding will target people living in poverty including young people, adults and families.

• Resources for group work/activities (Young People/Adults) - £1450
• Emergency support (Food/Fuel/ Essentials) - £3000
• Fund to support volunteers and referrals with training (Food Hygiene, SFA Courses etc) - £500