Ayrshire Independent News Issue 8 by Ayrshire Independent News

AYRSHIRE INDEPENDENT NEWS ISSUE 8 APRIL 4TH TO APRIL 17TH, PUBLISHED BY NO LIMITS MEDIA

PICK UP YOUR FREE COPY TODAY CONNECTING YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES & HELPING MAKE AYRSHIRE A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE

SEEDS FROM SPACE PAGE 3

£46 MILLION IN FUNDING PAGE 8

BANKS DISREGARD COMMUNITIES PAGE 10

BEST AYRSHIRE DEALS ££££

PAGE 23

DOUBLE TROUBLE FOR DOG OWNERS Dog owners are being reminded that new rules are about to come into force that will double fines for dog fouling. From 1 April 2016, anyone found not to be cleaning up after their pet could face an £80 fixed penalty from South Ayrshire Council and East Ayrshire Council. The new rules were agreed at the Scottish Parliament earlier this year following a national consultation. Two thirds of respondents indicated that they wanted more done to tackle dog fouling, with increasing fixed penalties one of the most popular suggestions. South Ayrshire Council recently launched a marketing campaign to help tackle the issue of dog fouling. Posters featuring luminous eyes were designed to let dog walkers know that they are being watched, with the

Environmental Health team finding that fouling is more of a problem at night, when the hidden dangers can’t be seen. Mike Newall, South Ayrshire Council’s Head of Neighbourhood Services, said, “Even though dog fouling’s been illegal since 2003, we know from experience that some owners are still letting their neighbours down. “Being a responsible dog owner means being aware of the health hazards posed to young children by not cleaning up after your pet and we would urge persistent offenders to start taking the issue as seriously as most people already do. “By using a little bit of common sense and considering the impact of their actions on the wider community, everyone could soon be enjoying cleaner streets and public parks.”

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NATASHA JOINS ILLUSTRIOUS LIST OF SUCCESSFUL SPORTS STARS AT COLLEGE Student Natasha Kerr has continued Ayrshire College’s impressive record of producing award-winning sports students, by becoming Scotland’s Youth Worker of the Year at the National Youth Worker of the Year awards, hosted by YouthLink Scotland. Natasha was also named Volunteer of the Year at the ceremony and has now been shortlisted in the volunteering category at the Young Scot Awards on 27 April. 21-year-old Natasha dedicated more than 800 hours last year to her volunteering work with Kilmarnock Harriers, Catrine Youth Club and East Ayrshire Vibrant Communities, where she coaches young people in athletics, badminton, basketball and hockey. Natasha Kerr said “I’m delighted to win this. This is the first time I have ever won any award. To be recognised for my work with young people makes it even more special. I love working with young people as it is so rewarding when you see them achieve something that they have been working on for weeks and now they can do it. The smile on their faces makes it all worthwhile.” Curriculum Manager for Sport, John McTaggart, said “Natasha is an outstanding student at Ayrshire College, having started her learning journey three years ago as a painfully

shy introverted girl with severe confidence issues. Three years later and Natasha has developed into a wonderful role model for all our learners and for those she works with within the wider community. “I have had the privilege of knowing Natasha over three years now and I can say that during this time the distance she has covered on her academic journey coupled with her contribution to the wider community is remarkable. “To see Natasha getting the recognition is the highlight of my college career.” James Adams, Head of Learning and Skills for Sport and Social Science at Ayrshire College said “I am absolutely delighted that Natasha Kerr has been recognised by YouthLink Scotland for all the excellent work she delivers in the community. “Natasha gives up her time freely to inspire young people and help others reach their potential. There is not a day she is not involved in working with others. “Of course all of this is in addition to her full-time sports course at Ayrshire College. Natasha is a very special young woman and all the staff and students at the Centre of Sporting Excellence at Townholm Campus are very proud of her.”

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91ST AYRSHIRE ST JOSEPH’S CUBS TO GROW SEEDS FROM SPACE! Boys and girls at St Joseph’s Cub Scouts are preparing to become space biologists and embark on a voyage of discovery by growing seeds that have been into space. On 2nd September 2015, 2kg of rocket seeds were flown to the International Space Station (ISS) on Soyuz 44S where they spent several months being looked after by Tim Peake, in microgravity before returning to Earth on 2nd March 2016 with Commander Scott Kelly. The seeds are part of Rocket Science, an educational project launched by Tim Peake from the ISS for the UK Space Agency and the RHS Campaign for School Gardening. The 91st St Joseph’s Cubs will be one of 10,000 groups and schools to receive a packet of 100 seeds from space, which they will grow alongside seeds that haven’t been to space and record the differences over seven weeks. The Cubs won’t know which seed packet contains which seeds until all results have been collected by the RHS Campaign for School Gardening and analysed by professional biostatisticians. The out-of-this-world, nationwide science experiment will enable the children to think more about how we could preserve human life on another planet in the future, what astronauts need to survive long-term missions in space and the difficulties

of growing fresh food in challenging climates. Dennis Graham, Cub Leader, says: “We are very excited to be taking part in Rocket Science. This experiment is a fantastic way of teaching our children to think more scientifically and share their findings with the whole country.” The 91st Ayrshire, St Joseph’s Cub Scout Group meet on Wednesday evenings at St Joseph’s Church Hall on Hill Street, Kilmarnock. Rocket Science is just one educational project from a programme developed by the UK Space Agency to celebrate British ESA astronaut Tim Peake’s Principia Mission to the ISS and inspire young people to consider careers in STEM ~ science, technology, engineering and maths subjects, including horticulture. For more information from St Joseph’s Scout Group, regarding this project, or if you would like to come along please contact Kim Wallace, Cub Leader on 07764 446 516 or email kim.eala@gmail.com. We will be planting the seeds during our meeting at 7pm on Wednesday 20th April 2016. We’d love it if you could join us! Follow the project on Twitter: @ RHSSchools #RocketScience

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TOILETRIES FROM TESCO FOR THE LABOUR SUITE Tesco Extra in Ayr has generously donated gift bags full of toiletries and nightwear to the labour ward at University Hospital Crosshouse as a part of Tesco’s community partnership projects. Terri Walker, Services Manager and Community Champion at Tesco Extra Ayr came up with the idea after speaking to her daughter, Laura, who works for Ayrshire Maternity Unit. Terri commented: “We know that there can be times when mums come in to have their babies unexpectedly, or when they might not be able to bring toiletries or nightwear with them. We thought

this might mean one less thing to do in those circumstances.” Attica Wheeler, Clinical Nurse Manager, Intrapartum Services wished to express thanks to Tesco Extra Ayr: “On behalf of the labour suite, and the women who will benefit from this generous donation, I would like to say a huge thanks to Terri and Tesco Extra in Ayr for thinking of us as part of their community partnership projects. “I am sure in emergency situations, women and their families will be very grateful to have one less thing to worry about.”

FROM AYR TO DOWN THERE

Ayrshire College 24/7 Plus and PEZ (Personal Empowerment Zone) students recently took part in a challenge which raised nearly £200 for Sport Relief. Sport Relief is a charity event which brings together the worlds of sport and entertainment to raise money to help vulnerable people in both the UK and the world’s poorest countries. The students from the Ayr campus cover Health and Wellbeing as part of their course. They wanted to get involved with Sport Relief and came up with the idea ‘Ayr to down there’. They calculated the distance from Ayr to Gillingham in Dorset, where their tutor Clare Baird stayed prior to relocating to Scotland. They set themselves the challenge to cover the distance – of 409 miles - with a combination of running, cycling and rowing. Tony Murphy who runs Benefit Health and Fitness in Ayr very kindly allowed the use of treadmills, cycles and rowing machines for the day free of charge. Tony said “As a local business we are more than happy here at Bene-Fit to support Ayrshire College students,

especially for a great cause like Sport Relief which is a national fund raising event. “It was fantastic to the see the students work so hard. They were encouraged each step of the way by the enthusiastic college staff who also put in their share of the miles. I would like to congratulate them all on such a great effort and want to say that the students were a credit to themselves with their manner and positive approach.” Mark Vance, Learning and Engagement Officer, said “The groups worked tirelessly for six hours non-stop and travelled an incredible 296 miles. Melissa Napier, from Bene-fit Health and Fitness, very kindly offered to add to our tally by getting her spin class involved and completed over 100 miles. It was a fantastic effort. Everyone put in 100% and had sore legs the next day to prove it. I’m really proud of them.” PEZ and 24/7 Plus aim to develop essential skills, motivation and selfconfidence in an innovative and engaging way. If you or someone you know could benefit from one of these programmes visit www. ayrshire.ac.uk for more information.

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AYRSHIRE MATERNITY UNIT FUNDRAISE FOR BREAST CANCER CARE Staff at the Ayrshire Maternity Unit, University Hospital Crosshouse showed their generosity by holding a fundraising night at Irvine Golf Club, raising an impressive £850 for Breast Cancer Care. Caroline Blake, Clinical Midwife Manager Neonatal Services commented: “Most of us have been touched by breast cancer in some way, whether personally or through friends and family. We wanted to do something to support Breast Cancer Care, a charity that means a lot to us, and to remember the struggles people have been through as a result of breast cancer.”

CONCERN FOR THE FUTURE OF SOUTH AYRSHIRE’S CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE Brian McGinley, MSP candidate for Ayr, entered into the skills gap debate this week on how to improve training opportunities for young people and Scotland’s workers. Much of the debate has been focused on the need for better training but there are other issues like the use and effect of Zero Hours Contracts which are harming the economic future of our young people. Brian said, “It was with a great deal of disbelief that I learned recently that after 10 years in Government, the SNP have woken up to the need for quality training opportunities for our young people. I wonder if this new found conversion for training places has anything to do with the election coming up.” Brian stated, “On the SNP watch an all-time low of 150,000 College places have been slashed and trainee teachers have fallen by more than 1000. No matter the political spin, with these training place reductions, less and less classroom assistants to help vulnerable children, the SNP are not investing enough in our

schools or our children’s education. He continued, “Yes, we need high class vocational training, with better connection to industry which will boost the economy and provide high quality jobs. However, since the SNP refused to raise more money through tax then I question where the additional spending will be taken from? Is it robbing Peter to pay Paul once again? Over and above this, the SNP have made commitments prior to previous elections and failed to keep these promises, for example, on scrapping the Council Tax. Brian advised “ I think that fundamentally this is an issue to trust. I have worked positively with children and young people and I know that they deserve better. I support the campaign to end Zero Hours contracts as it damages our young people and creates insecurity for their future. These are our children and our grandchildren who are being continually let down by an SNP Government. We need change and this is our chance to get that change for the better.”

MAJORITY OF WOODLAND VIEW’S £46 MILLION FUNDING SPENT WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES

The finishing touches are being made to the new £46 million mental health and community facility at Ayrshire Central Hospital in Irvine.

Woodland View is due to open its doors to patients from the beginning of May. The building contractors, Balfour Beatty, and their subcontractors are working hard to ensure the building is finished to the highest standard following a construction period of almost 20 months. The construction of Woodland View has used: 1,114 doors and around 200,000 bricks; 420 miles of cable, enough to reach from Woodland View to London; 12.5 miles of conduit which would reach from Woodland View to Kilmarnock; more than 29,000 shrubs and 172 trees and climbers; 5,100 items of furniture and equipment; and 56 Wi-Fi points. During this time Balfour Beatty committed to delivering a number of local employment and subcontractor opportunities as part of their ‘community benefits’. Ayrshire people employed at the Irvine site account for 23 per cent of the workforce. Of the £46 million for the construction of the hospital, 72 per cent has been spent with businesses and sub-contractors which are within 30 miles of Ayrshire Central Hospital.

John Scott, Project Director for Woodland View, commented: “Ensuring that the local community benefited from the Woodland View investment was absolutely integral to the project from the outset. “Together with Balfour Beatty, we were committed to ensuring that as many local people as possible were provided with employment opportunities at the site. Not only does this provide current employment, employees were also able to gain skills to enhance their future employment prospects. “We were also clear that the majority of the £46 million was to be spent with local businesses. More than £33 million has been invested locally to ensure that businesses are supported by public sector spending which in turn benefits local people through continued employment and investment.” A Balfour Beatty spokesperson said: “Balfour Beatty is committed to delivering sustainable benefits to the communities in which it operates. “We have worked closely with NHS Ayrshire & Arran and our sub-contractors to maximise the community benefits of the Woodland View project, through local employment and utilising local supply chain as well as several community engagement or benefit projects such as landscaping a local charity’s garden.” One local business which has benefited from the major construction project in North Ayrshire is Kilmarnock-based

Worksmart Interiors, which supplied the internal screens for the facility. Woksmart Interiors is a Kilmarnockbased company which was first established in 2002 and has two satellite offices in Edinburgh and Manchester. They currently employ 33 direct office staff, with 15 based in the Kilmarnock headquarters. Worksmart was appointed to supply and install primed timber glazed screens at Woodland View. The screens will be used at each ward and in public areas. They have more than 500 pieces of glass installed into 140 individual screens that were made up of 23 different screen types. Worksmart Interiors is a specialist in this type of architectural glazing; therefore the complex systems erected are of the highest quality and workmanship. Stephen Neilson is Managing Director and owner of Worksmart Interiors. He said: “It has been a pleasure working with the team at Woodland View and supporting projects that benefit the community right on our doorstep. “Worksmart has a strong history in the healthcare sector successfully completing projects at the Southern General, Glasgow Royal Infirmary and the Royal Victoria Maternity Unit in Belfast. We have always worked in the public sector and tend to be sub-contractor to the tier one contractors such as Balfour Beatty. “Working within the local community is extremely important to Worksmart as we believe in

‘Community Benefits’ and investing our skills so that we can give back. Direct labour was used throughout the Woodland View project as well as our mature modern apprentices. We always strive to use a local supply chain. “When local contracts are awarded to local business the result is fruitful and encourages growth. For example, while we were working right on our doorstep in Irvine, our satellite offices in Edinburgh and Manchester had projects running in Aberdeen and at the Gherkin in London allowing Worksmart to cover all market sectors throughout the length and breadth of the UK.” Woodland View is predominantly single storey, with only the Sanctuary Chaplaincy area, some outpatient clinics and meeting rooms on the first level. Woodland View is the first inpatient facility in Ayrshire which offers all patients their own private ensuite room. Each ward has its own external landscaped courtyard which will allow people to enjoy the outdoors. People will enter the new facility through the main entrance which has a double height atrium. The seascape designed reception area will greet people as they first arrive in Woodland View. Visitors, patients and staff will be able to enjoy a range of delicious treats at the new Bramble cafe, and a new volunteerrun retail shop will offer a range of goods. There will also be other facilities in the main entrance such as an ATM cash machine, a baby changing facility and free public Wi-Fi throughout.

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MP ‘STAGGERED’ BY BANK’S DISREGARD FOR LOCAL COMMUNITY Local MP Corri Wilson has expressed her anger over Lloyd’s Banking Group’s handling of the closure of the Bank of Scotland branch in Maybole on 15 June 2016. Ms Wilson has been seeking answers on the decision since it was announced at the start of February, and today handed over a 1,200 signature petition from the local community asking the partly state-owned bank to reconsider the closure. At a meeting with officials from the bank it emerged that the decision had been taken with no consultation and no analysis of the impact it would have on the local community. Furthermore, calls for assurances on the future of other branches in the area went unanswered. Speaking after the meeting, Ms

Wilson said: “I am staggered by the disregard shown to the people of Maybole and the surrounding area by Lloyds Banking Group. This closure leaves the town without a bank and it seems the only concern to Lloyds has been how quickly they can shut up shop and leave. “The initial correspondence informing me of the closure stated that consideration of the impact on the local community had been taken into account, but when pressed for evidence of this today, it emerged that this had not in fact been done. The bank state that 85% of branch customers also use online or telephone banking, but it seems you only have to check your account online once to qualify as someone who doesn’t really need a local branch.

“This is a serious loss of a valuable local facility that will penalise the poor, the elderly and the disabled, and it is clear that the people who have taken this decision have never even set foot in the town, let alone given recognition to the impact of their decision. The way Lloyds have

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conducted themselves on this issue has been a disgrace, and I have no intention of letting them off the hook. I will continue pressing for them to reconsider this decision right up until the day the doors close.”

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LADIES WHO LUNCH FOR AYRSHIRE HOSPICE

The 28th Ayrshire Hospice annual ladies lunch was held in The Brig o’Doon House Hotel on Sunday 13th March. A wonderful afternoon was had by all, in the company of guest speaker, Baroness Annabel Goldie, who certainly entertained the ladies with all her humorous stories. The monthly ladies lunch club

presented a cheque for £15,000 to Lyn Bateman, Senior Fundraising Officer, Ayrshire Hospice which brought the total amount raised on the day to £21,000 – a fantastic amount. Thank you to everyone involved in another successful and very enjoyable lunch.

AYRSHIRE HOSPICE STARLIGHT WALK Kestrel Press has kindly signed up a “work place team” to take part in this year’s the Ayrshire Hospice Land O’ Burns Starlight Walk! By doing so, they are also in with a chance to win a smoothie maker and fresh fruit, thanks to support from Healthy Working Lives who are running a prize draw for all work place teams who enter! Senior Fundraising Officer, Graeme Strawhorn says “We are delighted to have the Kestrel Press team taking part in this year’s Starlight Walk. We work closely together throughout the year and we are delighted to have their support. We are still keen to encourage more work place teams to sign up, so if you think you and your colleagues could get fit whilst supporting the hospice, please contact us today!” The walk this year takes place on

Saturday 21st May 2016 leaving from Ayr Racecourse. There are three routes to choose from - 4 miles, 9 miles and 13 miles. All entrants are provided with a hospice t-shirt and throughout the walk will receive a bottle of water, fruit and chocolate. After the walk you will be rewarded with a participant’s medal and wellearned bacon roll. For more information and how to sign up contact the events team on 01292 288488 or email events@ ayrshirehospice.org or visit our website www.ayrshirehospice.org

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NEW MANAGEMENT IN AYR’S SAVOY BISTRO fortunate to travel and their jollies have clearly influenced the style and vibe inside the new Bistro. The Mediterranean theme flows from Menu to interior colours and music, it has a refreshing ambiance that is warming, family friendly where it some how manages the fine balance of seeming familiar, local and at the same time, makes you feel somewhere completely different.

Fancy good food? Maybe somewhere warm, relaxed and informal? Well, the new management in Ayr’s long established Savoy Bistro invite you to check out their revamp of one of the town’s oldest eateries where they assure us you will have an enjoyable experience. The Savoy has been established since 1927 and has seen many changes along the way. Starting off as a small confectionery store, tobacconist, then eventually a dinner/cafe, its various guises have always been

under the banner of ‘The Savoy’. At the beginning of 2016, husband and wife team Ewan and Ania MacFarlane took the decision to retain the iconic name and instead focus their efforts not on change but the evolution of a much loved venue.

So far they have transformed the Savoy into a very inviting, reasonably priced Mediterranean influenced licensed Bistro with a licence for 60 covers. They offer fresh, vibrant flavours, picking the best ingredients, where in a refreshing idea, don’t charge to the heavens for you to enjoy them. Their culinary experience is vast, where along with their head chef Giuseppe, strive to offer something for everyone, from a soup starter to an ‘al a carte’ main course with a Haddock fish tea and a gourmet burger thrown in between. Fresh, daily specials are presented on a chalk board inside and is provided alongside a core Italian style menu where you will find a proper Italian pizza (thin base and super tasty!), beautiful pasta and stunning selection of starters to tickle your taste buds. The food is complimented by a lovely wine list, where it boasts two very tasty house bottles of red white and rose per the glass. A selection of bottled beers, Stella Cidre, locally brewed ales and draft Birra Moretti. The young couple have been very

The couple come from two very different backgrounds; Ania, originally from the Pomeranian region in Poland provides an authentic and eastern European touch, she has mastered home baking and excels in her already famous cheesecake and devil’s chocolate cake; her involvement in the business brings new and alternative offerings in the form of Pierogi and Hazelnut Vodka. Ewan, originally from Tarbert Loch Fyne in Argyll has previously co-run a Michelin recognised restaurant in the Isle of Man, he brings knowledge of fantastic customer service that he looks to provide without making the Bistro overly fancy or pretentious. Taking these points

into consideration they feel they can offer a fresh, revived and alternative venue for the local residents of Ayr as well as the many visitors who, like Ewan ventured to Ayr for their well earned holidays. Open 6 days a week, Tuesday to

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COLLEGE PLACEMENT SOUNDS LIKE A HIT Sound Production students at Ayrshire College have been working with some of the UK’s finest up and coming musicians at a professional recording studio in Glasgow.

College lecturers Colin Train & David McAulay. Student Callum Provan said “I learned a considerable amount that will help me in the future. Having some hands-on time with the equipment, and questions answered by professional engineers, was a privilege and very helpful. Even socialising with the bands we recorded with and getting an insight into their careers and lives was a privilege in itself.

HND students at the College were recently on placement at Gorbals Sound, where they recorded sessions with Roddy Hart & the Lonesome Fire, and Mike Berrich. Roddy Hart & the Lonesome Fire, who performed on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson for five consecutive nights in 2014, have a new album titled ‘Swithering’ due out later this year. While Mike Berrich is the lead guitarist and singer from ‘Federation of the Disco Pimp’, and is embarking on a solo venture for the first time. Working with these artists was a

“Overall being in the live studio environment was a great experience.”

major coup for Ayrshire College’s students and they grasped the opportunity with both hands as they recorded, mixed and mastered their sessions in Studio 2.

The students were working under the supervision of Gorbals Sounds’ house engineer Kevin Burges, Studio Manager Paul Quinn & Ayrshire

Classmate Paul Miller added “I had a fantastic time at Gorbals Sound. I learned a lot from the experienced staff and bands that came into the studio. This placement has really inspired me and I have since adapted the way I work.”

WE CAN BEAT BOWEL CANCER TOGETHER! April is national Bowel Cancer Awareness Month and here in Ayrshire and Arran we are encouraging people to talk about bowel cancer with our annual Bowel Screening Awareness event. This year’s event takes place on Wednesday 27 April 2016 in the Alexander Fleming Education Centre, University Hospital Crosshouse (registration from 12 noon, programme starting at 1pm). The event is open to everyone. Now in its eighth year, this popular event helps to raise awareness of the importance of prevention, screening and early detection of bowel cancer. This year’s event will also introduce a new and easier bowel cancer screening test which is being developed for launch in 2017. The event is led by Mr Bob Diament, Colorectal Surgeon and Director of Ayrshire and Arran’s bowel screening programme. Delegates will hear from a range of speakers, have the opportunity to question them and visit a number of

information stands. All local people between the ages of 50 and 74 receive a testing kit through the post every two years, on or around their birthday. If you’re aged 75 or over you can still take the test every two years if you want, but you won’t automatically receive the test kit. If you are aged 75 or over and would like a kit, call the Bowel Screening Centre helpline free on 0800 0121 833. Early diagnosis makes all the difference in treating bowel cancer. Since screening started in Ayrshire and Arran in 2007 it has led to a diagnosis of bowel cancer in more than 400 people and the removal of precancerous polyps in thousands more. If you would like to attend this free event, contact Fiona McTaggart, Bowel Screening Audit Facilitator on 01563 825869 or email fiona.mctaggart@ aaaht.scot.nhs.uk. For more information on bowel screening visit www.nhsinform.co.uk/ screening/bowel.

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GOLD STANDARD RECOGNITION FOR SOUTH AYRSHIRE’S YOUNG PEOPLE Hundreds of young people have been recognised for their role in helping make South Ayrshire Council a great place to work. The local authority has been officially recognised with the Investors in Young People (IIYP) Gold Award. Developed by Investors in People Scotland, in partnership with the Scottish Government, the Gold Award for Good Practice recognises the work underway across the Council to create employment opportunities for young people; help maximise young people’s potential; and help ensure a bright and positive future. South Ayrshire Council currently employs more than 300 young people under the age of 25 across a wide range of services including homecare, property maintenance, community development and education. Many come through employability programmes such as Modern Apprenticeships, or Graduate Internships, while some are newly qualified teachers. A special ceremony was held at County Hall to mark their contribution on Tuesday 22 March, which was attended by many of the young people involved in the accreditation

process. Eileen Howat, Chief Executive, South Ayrshire Council, said achieving the Gold Standard Award would not have been possible without the contribution of all the young people who took part and gave such positive feedback, “Winning this award is a big deal for the Council because it recognises that the way we go about our business is making a real difference to the prospects of young people. “By focusing on creating opportunities we aim to support our young people to develop their careers with the Council and in recent years we’ve seen so many new recruits coming to us with positive, enthusiastic attitudes, and doing really well in a relatively short space of time. “I’m confident that in providing opportunities to train, learn and work with the Council, we are not only creating a lasting legacy that will benefit our communities and

our economy, but the Council is also benefitting from the contribution that these young people make to our services now and by helping us to ensure we develop a workforce for the future.”

“It’s important that new recruits are given the chance to take on responsibilities and to develop their confidence, and that’s exactly what’s happening at South Ayrshire.

Peter Russian, Chief Executive of Investors in People Scotland, said the work being carried out was of a high standard, “The best way to judge a place is to ask people about their experience, and when we came to South Ayrshire and spoke to young workers face-to-face, their enthusiasm was plain to see.

“We were impressed by the huge range of activity underway. The apprentice scheme in Property Maintenance and the excellent programme to train and develop green keepers in the golf team are of a particularly high standard. We look forward to seeing the progress achieved in the years ahead.”

SERIOUS ASSAULT IN KILMARNOCK Police in Kilmarnock are continuing enquiries after a man was assaulted in Kilmarnock on the afternoon of Thursday 31 March 2016. At around 1750 hours on Thursday 31 March, a 23 year-old man sustained serious injuries following

a disturbance Busbiehill Place. The man was taken by ambulance to Crosshouse Hospital to receive treatment. Medical staff describe his condition as stable.

Detective Inspector Mick Carr, from Kilmarnock CID, who is leading the enquiry, said today: “We are appealing for information following a vicious assault on a young man in Bonnyton. He

received a number of stab wounds which required hospital treatment. He remains in hospital in a stable condition. “We will not tolerate violence in any form. I’m confident that the answers we need to trace the persons responsible can be found in the community.

“I’d like to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident or anyone who may have heard a disturbance. You may have seen people running

away from Busbiehill Place at around 6 pm. “The information you have may not seem like much to you. You may not think it can help. As part of our broader inquiry, the information you hold could be critical in tracing the person or persons responsible.” Anyone with information is asked to contact Kilmarnock CID via 101 or alternatively CRIMESTOPPERS on 0800 555 111 where anonymity can be maintained.

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SUCCESS FOR LOCAL PROJECT SEARCH GRADUATES Young graduates have found success in the workplace throughout Ayrshire after completing the local Project SEARCH internship. NHS Ayrshire & Arran, East Ayrshire Council, Ayrshire College and the Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability (SCLD) worked together to launch the programme in December 2013. Project SEARCH has been helping 17-24 year olds in East Ayrshire who have learning difficulties and/ or are on the autistic spectrum to build skills for employment ever since. During their placement, interns are supported by two part-time instructors from Ayrshire College and a full-time job coach from East Ayrshire Council. The internship involves 800-hours practical experience in various areas of the hospitals in NHS Ayrshire & Arran. Ian Burgoyne, Senior Manager (Opportunities for All) - East Ayrshire Council, commented: “Like other young people with learning disabilities, our Project SEARCH graduates face a range of challenges in securing employment. We are delighted that their hard work and commitment to the East Ayrshire programme has helped them achieve successful outcomes with local employers.” Since 2013, 30 interns have started the programme, many of whom have moved on to permanent jobs or further training. One of the recent graduates, David from Muirkirk, has secured jobs as a receptionist at the Sir Alexander Fleming Centre in Kilmarnock and

Quarriers in Saltcoats following his placements. David is looking for further opportunities to develop his skills and qualifications, and would love to undertake a modern apprenticeship. Another graduate, Stephen from Galston, had placements in theatre, the linen room and portering services, before securing a temporary post as a factory worker at McCallum Bagpipes in Kilmarnock. Stephen has now been offered a permanent post with them, and continues to make a valued contribution to the company. Stephen said: “Project SEARCH was great. The training and experience I got from working at NHS Ayrshire & Arran gave me the confidence to apply for my current job. I am very happy to now have a permanent job that I enjoy. I would like to say thanks to everyone at Project SEARCH for helping me to do that.” Jenny from Kilmarnock graduated from the programme in 2014. Her training and experience in the catering and domestic services helped her to get a job as a catering assistant at a local primary school where she has recently been given an extended role. Kilmarnock programme graduate, Lewis, trained as a stores assistant with housing asset services and was a part of their temporary staff before achieving full-time employment with QTS as a storeman last year. Dr Martin Cheyne, Chairman of Ayrshire and Arran NHS Board said: “It is great to see these young people progress towards employment in the local community in Ayrshire.

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NEW AYRSHIRE VOICES AIM TO BE A SINGING SENSATION FOR HOSPICE The choir “New Ayrshire Voices” is all set to take to the stage in their “Voices of Spring Concert” on Friday 22nd April 2016 in aid of the hospice. Organised by hospice supporter Marilyn de Blieck, and her husband Raymond Bramwell, the concert is their way of giving back to the hospice after Marilyn’s father was cared for until his death in September 2015. Marilyn explains: “My father, who was in his nineties, but whose health had remained remarkably good, suffered from deteriorating health for almost a year before his death. In summer 2015 he began attending the Ayrshire Hospice day centre; this brought much needed reassurance to him as well as great relief to myself and the rest of the family. It was a real help to know that on his “hospice days” he was being supported and cared for by knowledgeable and caring staff.

the singers of New Ayrshire Voices along with Ayr Camerata, will keep that promise.”

As a family, we had begun to run out of alternative options. “Sadly, my father’s health continued to deteriorate rapidly through the summer of 2015 and in September he was admitted to the hospice as an in-patient. At the hospice, my father received the best possible care in an environment where he was always treated as a valued individual.

Robert Flynn, Fundraising Officer at the Ayrshire Hospice said “We are always indebted to community fundraisers like Marilyn who give their time, energy and commitment to support the work of the hospice. We will do as much as we can to support Marilyn and the choir for everything they are doing to make the night a great success and thank them wholeheartedly for their fantastic fundraising efforts.” “My father at first had great difficulty in understanding that his hospice care was provided free of charge. I know he felt great gratitude that where medical interventions ended, the hospice care began. I therefore promised him that I would arrange a fundraising concert for the Ayrshire Hospice at some future date. On Friday 22nd April, I, and my friends

The concert will be held in Holy Trinity Church, Fullarton Street, Ayr on Friday 22nd April at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £10 with proceeds being donated to the hospice. For more information please contact Robert Flynn on 01292 288488 or email community@ayrshirehospice.org.

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SPORTS VETERANS SERVE FOR THE AYRSHIRE HOSPICE An annual Veterans Tennis Tournament recently presented the Ayrshire Hospice with a record £2,305, following their December tournament at Prestwick Tennis and Fitness. Attracting just under 100 players, participants came from as far afield as Aberdeen and Yorkshire to participate in the popular tournament which received tremendous support from both sponsors and players. Prestwick Tennis and Fitness provided use of their courts free of charge. Tennis Scotland along with Tennis Ayrshire provided the tennis balls for the tournament and Microtech Support generously gave £200 sponsorship towards the tournament. Jackie Elliot kindly gave her time free of charge to referee, meaning the tournament had zero overheads allowing every penny raised to go directly to the

hospice. Jackie Elliot says, “I think the difference about giving in this way is that everyone knows the money goes directly to sustaining the services provided by the hospice. It is also a local charity which makes giving more relevant to local tennis players. It is a great event played every year on the 28th, 29th and 30th December, a good time between Christmas and New Year.” Robert Flynn, Fundraising Officer at the Ayrshire Hospice said “We are always indebted to community fundraisers like the Veterans Tennis Tournament who give their time, energy and commitment to support the work of the hospice. We would like thank them wholeheartedly for their fantastic fundraising efforts.” For more information please contact Robert Flynn on 01292 288488 or email community@ayrshirehospice. org.