We will use the funding to continue our volunteer-led refurbishment of the Ayr Sea Cadets’ hall, carrying out essential repairs and improvements, and to purchase a scaffold tower to safely maintain ceilings, lighting, and fixtures, ensuring the hall remains safe, accessible, and sustainable for cadets, local groups, and the wider community.

Ayr United Football Academy, through its Community Hub, is delivering the Ladies Learn To programme — a monthly initiative designed for women aged 50 and over. Following a successful six-month pilot earlier this year, we are seeking funding to continue and develop the programme, which has already proven popular and impactful.

The project provides a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space where women can come together to try new activities, meet others, and build confidence. Each month focuses on a different theme — from arts and crafts to cooking, crochet, and light physical activities — with participants’ feedback shaping future sessions. This responsive approach ensures the programme remains engaging, relevant, and community-driven.

The need for the programme is clear. Many participants report feelings of isolation, especially following the pandemic, and value the opportunity for social connection as much as the skills learned. Comments such as “This group allowed me to find some social interaction” and “It has given me a great sense of achievement” highlight its positive impact on wellbeing and confidence.

Funding will support staff, venue hire, materials, and catering, enabling the programme to continue while we work toward longer-term sustainability and potential expansion into new areas of learning and activity.

The fund would be utilised to purchase equipment

Vics In The Community is a registered charity based in North Ayr. The charity was established to create oopportunities for people to particiapte in health and wellbeing activities including football while trying to address key barriers and challenges with the community.

North Ayr is recognised as the most deprived community in South Ayrshire and in the top 5% in Scotland. Outcome in North Ayr including unemployment, crime, addiction, life expectency are alll below the local authorty and naional average. 

Since taking over the lease of New Voluntary Park, Vics have been working over the past two years to redevelop the derelict pavilion to bring it back to community ownership. Approx £675,000 has been invested in capital costs and th hub is ready to open. We are seeking essential equipment and resources such as kitchen utenciles, cutlery, glasses and cleaning equipment (Hoover) to help with the opening and running for the community hub. 

These vital items will allow us to opne the hub and host events, functions and accomodate of group work sessions in the Hub.

We are seeking funding to deliver the Broadway Cinema Visitor Experience.  Our foyer space will be re-opened for project information, memberships, and merchandise sales.  There will be a pop-up museum located in our newly revealed 1930s auditorium.  Visitors will be able to soak up the unique atmosphere of an ‘arrested decay’ Grade C listed art-deco cinema.  The experience will be unique in Scotland and will bring significant economic benefits to the area.  It will provide a platform for the Broadway to generate sustained income, serving as a catalyst for future growth and continued project development.  Any money (gratefully received) will be used to purchase: Fire door installation/upgrades Licence fees (PRS/PVS)

Volunteer utility and toilet facility WiFi operating costs Donation terminals and subscriptions Industrial space heater  

These items will 'unlock' our ability to open our doors to the community and visitors, and keep them open.