Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund - Year 1

Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund A summary booklet of all grant awardees from the Scottish Government’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund administered by VASA.

Successful Applicants

Contents ANNBANK PARISH CHURCH.......................................................................................................1 AYR GAIETY PARTNERSHIP .......................................................................................................2 AYR UNITED FOOTBALL ACADEMY ...........................................................................................3 BROKEN CHAINS .........................................................................................................................4 CARRICK RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB ...........................................................................................5 CLEAN UP TARBOLTON WOODS CAMPAIGN ...........................................................................6 COLMONELL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION.................................................................................7 COMMUNITY WELLBEING HUB CIC ...........................................................................................8 COYLTON COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION .....................................................................................9 CRAG COMMUNITY ARTS......................................................................................................... 10 DAILLY COMMUNITY ACTIVITY CENTRE ................................................................................. 11 DAILLY COMMUNITY HALL ASSOCIATION .............................................................................. 12 DEMENTIA FRIENDLY PRESTWICK ......................................................................................... 13 GIRVAN AND DISTRICT MEN’S SHED: ..................................................................................... 14 GIRVAN COMMUNITY GARDEN................................................................................................ 15 GLENDOUNE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION .............................................................................. 16 HOPE WELLBEING CENTRE ..................................................................................................... 17 KIRKMICHAEL VILLAGE RENAISSANCE (KVR) ........................................................................ 18 L & M WELLBEING CONSULTANCY CIC................................................................................... 19 LEAP SPORTS ........................................................................................................................... 20 LOCHSIDE NEIGHBOURHOOD GROUP ................................................................................... 21 MAIDENS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION .................................................................................... 22 MINDFULLYPRESENTAYR CIC ................................................................................................. 23 NEW LIFE TRUST ...................................................................................................................... 24 NORTH AYR THEGITHER! ......................................................................................................... 25 SCOTTISH HUNTINGTON’S ASSOCIATION.............................................................................. 26 S.I.S.G ENTERPRISES LTD ....................................................................................................... 27 SYMINGTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL ....................................................................................... 28 THE IRIS ARTS AYR CIC ........................................................................................................... 29 VICS IN THE COMMUNITY ........................................................................................................ 30 YOGABLE CIC ............................................................................................................................ 31 VASA .......................................................................................................................................... 32

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Annbank Parish Church Concerned about those within the villages of Annbank and Mossblown who have become more isolated and are struggling with poor mental health and wellbeing as a result of the pandemic, the congregation of Annbank Parish Church are creating outdoor activities through a new gardening project.

The project is open to any adult in the two villages and aims to support fellowship and opportunities to socialise through the medium of gardening. The growing aspect of the project will also give support to the local Food Bank that runs within the villages, tackling food poverty and sustainability.

Bereavement Groups Throughout the pandemic many have experienced loss of loved ones and loss of the opportunity to say goodbye.

Annbank and Tarbolton Parish Churches hope to offer support through these new bereavement programmes which will be open to any adults in the communities who may wish to access them. The aim of the programme is to support people in their grief and allow a place to meet with others who are bereaved and who will understand the journey they are now on.

Contact Details Rev Mandy Ralph Email: mralph@churchofscotland.org.uk Telephone: 01292 54145

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Ayr Gaiety Partnership The ‘Riverside Stories’ project will involve a series of linked activities that will build on individual wellbeing and provide a series of positive community experiences. The project will build on collective wellbeing for those most in need within the community.

At its core will be a creative writing/Riverside Stories group that will develop stories of relevance to and coming from the community. Others will then be involved in telling the stories through performance, visual art and film. Culminating in a series of community events which will build individual self-confidence, showcase local role models and begin to develop a new narrative for those outside the area.

The project will be delivered as a joint initiative between The Gaiety and the Riverside Trust.

Contact Details Jasmine Main Email: jasmine.main@ayrgaiety.co.uk

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Ayr United Football Academy Hiring a Wellbeing Officer to benefit the communities in South Ayrshire is the next step in the programmes offered by Ayr United Football Academy.

More and more we are seeing the positives and negatives of people’s wellbeing when they are engaging with each of our existing programmes. This engagement means we know how many people are struggling and by having a Wellbeing Officer in post, we hope to encourage hard to reach members of the community to engage with us in a proactive way and gain the vital support that they may need.

Further to this, we will be working with all groups in South Ayrshire, particularly those that have been successful in their funding application for the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund, so that they are better equipped to engage with people who may be experiencing difficulties with their mental health.

Contact Details Shaun Ferrie Telephone: 01292 263435 Email: shaun@ayrunitedfc.co.uk

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Broken Chains Securing a building in the heart of Wallacetown will enable us to provide a safe place to meet with our clients; in groups, peer-to-peer and one-onone.

Our model is to be open twice-weekly: on Sundays our volunteers and staff will provide hot meals and assistance for our service users and on Tuesdays our “Drop-in-sessions” allow our community to build positive relationships while receiving food and support. Both sessions will also afford clients the opportunity to discuss and tackle issues they are facing.

Our Support Workers will meet with clients through the week, at our safe, informal counselling space, hospital, rehab and prison visits. We will support people post-shielding, with mental health, addiction and social isolation issues. We will encourage and empower those living with longterm conditions associated with addiction and other life-controlling issues.

We aim to have a positive impact on the lives of those in the community and their families who have experienced loss and bereavement often due to substance/alcohol misuse and/or associated illness. This will be achieved by providing safe informal spaces for group talking therapy as well as one-to-one discussions.

Contact Details Website: http://www.brokenchains-ayr.org.uk/ Telephone: 07810 033 270 Facebook: @ayrbrokenchains

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Carrick Rugby Football Club ‘Well Active Carrick!’ is a programme that consists of 6 individual but linked events designed to tackle social isolation and loneliness in our community.

The aim of the project is to use sport to engage adults of all ages in activities that will benefit their mental and physical health, with the activities being fun, fully accessible and educational. They will enable our community to improve their mental health and gain a better awareness of the available green spaces in our area, hopefully encouraging people to get outside more often even once the events have been completed.

The activities will include, but are not limited to, Water Sports event, High Ropes, Highland Games, a residential weekend at an outdoor centre, hiking/biking/orienteering, a guided local walk, each including sessional, facilitated discussion groups led by sportsmen and women who have personal experience on a specific subject, including mental resilience, addiction, isolation, confidence building, anxiety and coping with stress.

Contact Details Anna Connon Email: carrickrugby@gmail.com

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Clean Up Tarbolton Woods Campaign Our project is to develop a Remembrance Garden, Seating Area and host a BBQ in Tarbolton woods which we feel will help our community reconnect with each other and nature. Our project is about promoting positive mental health and wellbeing, physical activity, and tackling social isolation.

The BBQ Funday will be the day that we launch the Remembrance Garden, a day of fun but also a time to reflect and chat about the loss our community has suffered; a chance for people to talk about how they are feeling, remembering loved ones and sharing memories in an informal natural setting. Our event will remind people they are not alone and have a green space they can visit for free.

We hope that this project will help to increase confidence in community members. We will encourage people from all walks of life to come along to volunteer by self-referral or from partner agencies such as South Ayrshire Council, NHS, VASA and South Ayrshire Lifeline.

A Remembrance Garden and seating area will be a permanent fixture for people to visit, develop and add to over the years. We aim to provide a support network for people to meet up to go walks down the woods. Thank you for this opportunity. We cannot wait to welcome you all to our woods!

Contact Details Samantha Brown Telephone: 07713353460 Email: cutwc@outlook.com Facebook: Clean Up Tarbolton Woods Campaign

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Colmonell Community Association We want to address the real impact of the COVID pandemic on our community, and support community health and wellbeing recovery by undertaking four initiatives within a community wide project: 1. Creating an innovative, inclusive external focal project, centred on developing a large scale salmon themed willow sculpture produced by community groups working in collaboration with willow artist David Powell, through 10 workshops.

2. Working with the recently created and developing community craft group to conduct 8 pottery workshops for 6 people in Girvan with an established potter.

3. Providing new woodworking craft opportunities in Colmonell by starting up woodturning/woodworking sessions led by a local resident specialist.

4. Engaging local individuals to help redevelop and expand existing social groups, which may have become dormant during the Pandemic.

We believe these initiatives will strongly support recovery in the village and enhance wellbeing and community cohesion, and we hope that the four initiatives will help people #FindyourBalance in Colmonell and the Stinchar river valley.

Contact Details Howard Wilkinson Email: howard.wilkinson2@btinternet.com Telephone: 01465 881260 / 07765 606848

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Community Wellbeing Hub CIC The Community Wellbeing Hub CIC based in Maybole offers 8-week treatment blocks of holistic and complementary therapies, 1:1 yoga and small yoga peer group sessions.

They are available to those on low income living with chronic disease, struggling with anxiety, stress and depression.

Providing holistic therapies can help benefit conditions and develop better coping strategies for physical and mental wellbeing. The pandemic has left many people unable to access services so the community wellbeing hub looks at engaging with the local services and community groups within Carrick to bridge this gap!

These sessions will be on donation based as cost can be a huge struggle for many families during this climate. There will also be subsidised travel available for the yoga sessions.

Referrals for complementary/holistic blocks can be from health centres, health professionals, GPs and local Carrick community groups.

Contact Details Call: 07984 616907 Email: communitywellbeinghub@yahoo.com Facebook: @communitywellbeinghubCICMaybole

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Coylton Community Association The group plans to develop an area of woodland to encourage greater engagement with the outdoors. We will do this by:        

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Creating usable green space that offers a simple but creative way to engage those who are often missed out or forgotten.

Seating designed for those who struggle with mobility.

Building a canopy over the seating area so this space can be used all year round.

Upgrading paths to ensure the space is accessible to all.

Promoting a safe, inviting area away from the busy back road.

Ensuring new signage is appropriate for older people and their needs.

Ensuring members of the community feel ownership over the space by encouraging them to develop and maintain it.

Encouraging older members of the community to come up with ideas for activities they can connect with in the space. Some suggestions include seated yoga, art/photography sessions, willow weaving and foraging.

Developing intergenerational activities through the local Faerie Trail.

By building a better sense of togetherness in the community, the project will better support those struggling with poor mental/physical health, who are at risk or suffering from social isolation and loneliness and those who face challenges that have been exacerbated by the pandemic.

Contact Details Email: theclaudehamilton@outlook.com Telephone: 07734 190274 Facebook: @CoyltonCommunityAssociation

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CRAG Community Arts

The aim of the project is to bring additional arts classes to Girvan, hosted in the Wee School Art Space on Henrietta Street, Girvan. CRAG Community Arts has been renting this premises for just over 1 year and our intention is to create a vibrant Community Arts Hub here with many different arts activities and workshops available for locals to attend, spaces for artists to hire as studio spaces and space for local groups to use for their creative projects.

The funding we received from the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund, will support a Women’s Arts class aimed at mothers and younger women, the establishment of a Community Choir, a fun activity for all abilities, and go towards the costs of an Activities Co-ordinator who will help to establish, promote and garner support for these and further activities working towards long term sustainability.

Through these activities we hope to create a safe space for people to come together and participate in the arts. We will aim to improve people’s self-esteem and confidence and create a sense of community pride.

Contact Details Ingrid Powell Email: crartsg@hotmail.com Phone: 07526678147 Facebook: @CRAGcommunityarts

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Dailly Community Activity Centre With this funding we plan to deliver a low impact fitness class that will target people with low levels of fitness, mobility issues and those that have suffered from long periods of isolation throughout the pandemic. It will help to get people moving better and to get them socially involved with their community. We look to improve both physical and mental wellbeing. The class will be aimed at age 60+ but not strictly for this age group only. All sessions will be held at the activity centre, utilising both games hall and fitness suite.

Building on from the low impact class we hope to offer low impact sports including badminton, table tennis and walking football. For some this will be additional fitness within their weekly routine while for others it is something to progress towards once they have built up fitness levels and are moving better. It will also help to reduce social isolation in the village.

As we want to be as versatile as possible we will also be running an exercise to music based activity, mainly in the form of Zumba. This targets a wide range of fitness levels and age groups. It will benefit higher fitness levels and those with mobility issues as each individual can work within their own level/ability. This will also be held at the activity centre utilising our spacious games hall.

Contact Details Steven McBirnie Email: carrickac@btconnect.com Telephone: 01465 811781 Facebook: The-Carrick-Activity-Centre

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Dailly Community Hall Association We will repurpose a formal meeting room into an informal lounge area which anyone can use. The lounge would be open at set times, also available to groups for private events e.g. vulnerable, groups dealing with addictions and disabled adults. It is very important that people reconnect as the COVID situation improves so that the community can resume normal life. This lounge is seen as a way to help achieve this, as well as help with social isolation and metal health issues.

The grant will pay for new lounge furniture and the space will be similar to areas in public libraries. We plan to have newspapers, also other reading material and provide information of events and activities taking place in Dailly and the immediate locality. The lounge would be open at least one afternoon so that parents can meet after school and initially we would open the lounge for a minimum of 3 sessions a week. In time we hope to make tea and coffee available.

The Project will be delivered by a SubCommittee of the Hall Association.

Communication to the village will be via Facebook (Dailly Community Hall Association), and public notice board.

Help and advice to support this project will come from Dailly Community Council, South Ayrshire Council Thriving Communities Team and VASA.

Contact Details Project Lead: Neil Bannatyne Telephone: 01465 811 737 Email: daillycommhall@outlook.com Facebook: @DaillyCommunityHall

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Dementia Friendly Prestwick With this funding, Dementia Friendly Prestwick will open a "Meeting Centre" in Prestwick - a social club for people with early to moderate dementia and their family members. Meeting Centres provide evidence-based support which includes a safe place where both people with dementia (members) and carers can adapt to living with dementia.

A diagnosis of dementia is likely to be a difficult time for someone, and for their loved ones. We will be a safety net to catch and support people following a diagnosis. With a prominent location in the town - the RAFA Club at the seafront - we may well be able to support people before a diagnosis and signpost to appropriate agencies.

Once inside our friendly doors, people can do familiar fun things as well as get effective advice and peer support in a relaxed atmosphere. All sessions are built around the interests of the people who attend, and they will be fully involved in shaping what happens in and around the Meeting Centre. Ours will be the first to open on the West Coast of Scotland.

Contact Details Website: http://dementiaprestwick.co.uk Email: hello@dementiaprestwick.co.uk Facebook: @dementiaprestwick.co.uk

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Girvan and District Men’s Shed: Our group was set up in late 2018 as a response to the recognition that our community had problems with social isolation, loneliness, mental health problems etc. especially in men.

The Woodworking shed was the first stage in helping to address these problems. A committee was formed in April 2019. The Gardening project followed in mid-2020.

Our local volunteers (female and male) are based at Hamilton Park football ground, a large walled secure park with toilet facilities. We are a member-driven group, who are at the early stages of our journey.

Our expansion of the Gardening and Woodworking will enable more participation in a COVID-safe lively environment. Most of our present members and volunteers are in the recognised priority groups.

We are on the local bus route, are near the train station and there is a large parking area within the grounds.

Anyone who is over 18, of any sexual identity, ability and who is breathing is very welcome to join.

Contact Details Website: www.girvanmensshed.co.uk Email: girvanmensshed@gmail.com

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Girvan Community Garden The Girvan Community Garden will be delivering a programme of activities to address the deficiencies of mental health and wellbeing that have developed in us through the 2 years of the COVID pandemic.

We will be working in partnership with Living with Leisure to deliver classes to the over 55s on Monday afternoons from 1 - 3pm; running our Green Gym for volunteers on Tuesdays from 10am - 2pm and running a weekend cafe from 1 - 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

We will also be running 4 community events throughout the year, where generations will have the chance to gather socially and interact in a safe outdoor environment.

Contact Details Website: www.givancommunitygarden.com Email: secretary@girvancommunitygarden.com Facebook: Girvan Community Garden

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Glendoune Community Association Glendoune is an area situated in the town of Girvan. This area is one of the most deprived in South Ayrshire.

The project will provide local activities to help improve community mental health by creating a safe space for people to seek and receive support within their area. The activities will be designed to build confidence and connection as well as reducing isolation and loneliness. Mental Health and Wellbeing support is key in this area as a great deal of residents are disadvantaged. This is very much a whole community approach to resilience and wellbeing.

The projects will be delivered in the heart of Glendoune with support from the Glendoune Community Association, dedicated Three Sixty outreach worker and all teams within South Ayrshire Council’s Thriving Communities. As a new team we are extremely grateful for this opportunity. We all look forward to planning new activities to provide central community support.

This will hopefully allow our residents to build the confidence to take that first step and go on to gain new skills, qualifications, and employment.

Contact Details Stephanie Mulvey Telephone: 07523104678 Email: Stephanie.Mulvey14@gmail.com

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Hope Wellbeing Centre Hope Wellbeing is a non-profit Christian charity based in Ayr. We have a team of trained ‘listeners’, counsellors and mental health professionals who volunteer their time and experience to support those in our community struggling emotionally.

Our volunteers are trained through the HOPE Bereavement Care programme & HOPE Listening programme to support those going through bereavement and people struggling with emotional difficulties. We also offer sessions to improve wellbeing, and have ongoing training and supervision.

Our HOPE counselling team are fully qualified, supervised and registered with COSCA (Counselling and Psychotherapy Scotland).

We are currently open three mornings a week:  Monday 10am-12noon is the bereavement drop in cafe for those struggling with bereavement, grief or loss.  Wednesday 10am-12noon is our Creative wellbeing session for anyone who enjoys creating in the company of others.  Friday 10am-12noon is the Renew Wellbeing session where it’s ok not to be ok but with a focus on improving wellbeing through activity.

Group sessions are free however we appreciate donations for tea/coffee.

If counselling is recommended (after assessment) we request an affordable donation, based on a sliding scale.

Contact Details Website: https://www.hopewellbeingcentre.co.uk/ Telephone: 07547 697510 Facebook: Hope Wellbeing Centre

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Kirkmichael Village Renaissance (KVR) KVR has recently taken over a two-year rolling lease for the McCosh Hall in Kirkmichael from South Ayrshire Council. The ground floor now houses the Community Shop and Café.

The upstairs is used for community groups, private functions, arts and sports activities, which have been severely affected by COVID restrictions. The community can now determine how the hall is run and find ways to address problems related to social isolation, loneliness and rural life.

KVR’s project will centre on the development of the McCosh Hall as a community hub in the village of Kirkmichael. The funding will pay for the employment of a part-time community development coordinator who will work with community groups, volunteers and individuals, building on their experience, promoting social inclusivity and activities, social and cultural events for the village and wider community.

The coordinator will develop a programme offering opportunities for people of all ages to meet in safe, stimulating environments and will facilitate community groups and individuals to help deliver a choice of activities to attract a wide range and number of people. These could include lunch clubs, walking groups, sports activities, a cinema club and craft and music groups.

Contact Details Caroline Lorimer Catriona Haston Telephone: 07884491287 Email: catrionahaston@hotmail.com 01655 750350 Email: carolinelorimer22@gmail.com

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L & M Wellbeing Consultancy CIC Music is a universal language that can be used to bring individuals together regardless of age, ability, gender or culture.

Our skills and experience as trained counsellors along with our knowledge of the benefits of listening to music, let us develop Listening Music Therapy.

L.M.T provides the opportunity to engage in a fun and interactive programme of learning that encourages emotional literacy meaning that participants can develop vital skills. Our approach supports the development of self-awareness, self-worth and respect for others, thus creating a robust foundation of emotional health.

We intend to provide 3 x 10 week groups and 6 workshop/training days for the South Ayrshire community. The areas we are specifically targeting are;  Women (particularly young women and those affected by male sexual violence)  People affected by psychological trauma (including adverse childhood experiences)  People who have experienced bereavement or loss  People disadvantaged by geographical location (particularly remote and rural areas)  People with a long term condition or disability Each programme is tailored to suit the needs of the individual group we are working with.

Contact Details Lorraine O’Rourke Email: lgmbacp@gmail.com Phone: 07722 299489

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LEAP Sports We will develop a new community group that is aimed at promoting and improving the mental health and wellbeing of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer and other diversely identifying (LGBTIQ+) people from across South Ayrshire.

We plan to do this by using physical activity, outdoor pursuits, and sport as a tool for building connections and developing community. The group will be open to all LGBTIQ+ people 16+ years of age, and specifically aiming to reach those who are more isolated.

We will co-develop and deliver a 12-month programme of mixed physical activity utilising the paths, greenspaces and outdoor spaces, and activity based indoor facilities across South Ayrshire. As well as the activity on offer, the group will have opportunities to develop their own skills around accessing outdoors and physical activity.

We will recruit volunteers to support with organising of activity, and will deliver leadership and capacity building training to support future sustainability.

We are keen to work with other services and groups locally to raise our group’s awareness of existing support services, and to build referral routes between each other.

Contact Details Munro Stevenson Email: munro@leapsports.org

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Lochside Neighbourhood Group Our project is all about bringing our community back together again in a safe and secure environment, especially after we have all experienced social isolation and poor mental health in these last several months due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Our project will provide group activities, fun days and away days for those who have been most affected by social isolation, shielding, or with poor mental and physical health.

The primary targets of the project will be adults, particularly women, marginalised groups, people with long term health conditions or disabilities.

We hope to offer a wide range of activities to suit all, including gardening, photography, walking, local history and environment, healthy cooking, flower arranging and producing a calendar.

We have consulted with our community to gauge their needs and to ask what is important to them post COVID. The difference this project will make will be to alleviate social isolation, bring people together again and have a positive impact on peoples physical and mental wellbeing.

Contact Details Cathy McNeilly Email: cathymcneilly@gmail.com

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Maidens Community Association We are a new voluntary community group, who came together during COVID. We are trying to keep our outcomes simple, fun and achievable. Our long-term goal is to encourage residents to engage with their community. The funding will help deliver two separate activity packages.

Our first activity is a ‘FITNESS CAMP’: a keep fit class offering different levels for all abilities, but very much centred around the new adult outdoor exercise equipment that was recently installed.

We will also run a complementary activity focused on balance, flexibility and stamina such as Tai Chi and Yoga depending on tutor availability.

If these activities prove popular, the association will support the establishment of a sustainable group.

Our second activity is to provide several blocks of art and craft classes over a 40-week period. We want to cater for all ages to get people mixing and getting to know their neighbours.

We hope that these classes will be hugely beneficial in addressing mental health, anxiety, depression, isolation, and loneliness. We have identified several crafts to appeal to the widest audience. We have also started discussions with local artists so they can deliver a master class of their own specialised craft.

Contact Details Email: Maidenscommunity@gmail.com

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MindfullyPresentAyr CIC We are MindfullyPresent, a CIC aiming to make Mindfulness classes more accessible to people in South Ayrshire, particularly those with limited finances. Mindfulness is a skill that can be learned and with practice, make a significant difference to people’s life experience and chances.

Attending an 8-week mindfulness course has benefits, such as:  Lower stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms  Improved working memory.  Improved ability to focus.  Greater satisfaction with communication and relationships.  Improved fear modulation.  Greater immune function.  Reduced psychological distress.

The course involves sharing information, practicing meditation together and breaking into pairs to discuss individual experiences. We enable people to make the link between what is happening in the moment and their reactions, both physically and mentally. By sharing our thoughts and feelings people recognise that we have patterns of reaction and that by “taking a pause” we can respond differently, leading to improved mental health and wellbeing through personal resilience, and emotional regulation, giving hope and enhanced confidence.

We will work with local partnership and Third Sector organisations to identify people who could benefit from it.

Contact Details Ruth Slessor & Laura Craig Email: mindfullypresentayr@gmail.com Telephone: 077 1563 6628

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New Life Trust The club is a place for people in later life, providing the opportunity to get out of the house, meet old friends and make new ones in a warm, friendly setting over a nice hot meal.

Our group offers support and companionship to older people who feel or are at risk of becoming lonely and/or socially isolated.

The meals are designed to be healthy, balanced and nutritious and catered to our members’ specific needs.

We also provide transport to members who would not normally be able to travel independently so that they can join the group too.

Our lunch club runs weekly, Thursdays from 12:30pm till 3pm. It provides the perfect opportunity to chat with others whilst having something to eat.

Diamonds can help people forge new friendships, share good food and enjoy a selection of interesting activities and trips.

Diamonds is friendly and supportive and run by experienced staff with the support of a group of excellent volunteers who wish to give something back to their local community.

Contact Details William Stewart Telephone: 01292 502 323 Facebook: @diamonds6oplus

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North Ayr TheGither!

We aim to deliver activities for both men and women. Our men’s activities will include an exercise group and drop-in. Our exercise group will be delivered in such a way that most people will be able to participate.

Our drop-in will be relatively informal with games consoles, pool table and beverages available. It is our intention to have some informal discussions as well as a way of creating a space for those attending to share in a relaxed way.

We are targeting men experiencing social isolation, marginalisation, poverty and long-term health conditions, such as mental health and addiction issues.

Our women’s group will be targeted towards older women and those socially isolated or marginalised, although women of all age will be welcome.

Contact Details Paul Algeo Telephone: 07494 264 103 Email: palgeo@churchofscotland.org.uk

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Scottish Huntington’s Association Huntington’s disease (HD) is a hereditary, lifeshortening, neurological illness, impacting upon entire families over generations.

For some time now, and especially over the last 18-24 months, many of our HD service teams have experienced a rapid increase in the number of referrals and an escalation in the complexity of the situations they are required to deal with to support our families.

This has had a profound impact on the staff trying to manage the services and sustain adequate levels of support for our families. This is especially the case for services in Lanarkshire, Ayrshire & Arran, Grampian and Highland, which were already under pressure owing to inadequate staffing levels due to rising cases, insufficient funding and no incremental increase being received from NHS Boards/Health & Social Care Partnerships over many years.

Our solution is to employ a ‘roving’ HD Specialist who would not be tied to any particular NHS Board area, but who would instead focus their work on whatever area was most in need at any given period, including those areas currently with no service at all. By putting this post in place, Scotland will have nationwide cover for HD families for the first time ever. Scotland will also become the first country in the world to have an HD Specialist Service that covers the whole country.

Contact Details Jim McLean Website: hdscotland.org Email: jim.mclean@hdscotland.org

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S.I.S.G Enterprises Ltd

S.I.S.G will be offering the following services to older people with sensory loss (age related hearing and/or sight loss) throughout South Ayrshire under the heading: “Improving Wellbeing & Connections for Older People with Sensory Loss."

Wellbeing Sensory Café – Prestwick (Carlton Hotel) – we will offer monthly support to individuals with an opportunity to communicate and connect with others who struggle with the same disabilities – hearing or sight loss. We will provide emotional support and a listening ear to help increase their sense of wellbeing and will provide advice to help empower them to self-manage their sensory loss.

Wellbeing Sensory Packs – we will identify those most in need and will issue practical packs to those struggling with hearing/sight loss. The packs contain hearing aid cleaning multi-tool, puffer, silica gel, alcohol wipes, hearing aid batteries, hand magnifier, bump on’s, support Lanyard, Stress Management Tips, Hearing Loss Tips, Sight Loss Tips Guidance.

Supporting Wellbeing Videos – we will issue 6 different videos to help alleviate anxiety/isolation in relation to sensory loss and will enable individuals to cope better with their hearing/sight loss and thereby increase their wellbeing. Videos are Stress Management Tips, Good Communication Tips, Sight Loss Tips, How to Clean Your Hearing Aid, How to Change Your Battery and How to Change Tubing.

Contact Details Denise McClung Telephone: 07855 776 342 Email: denise@sisg.co.uk

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Symington Community Council Symington is a developing rural community.

During the COVID-19 restrictions people have felt disconnected and it is now time to try to rebuild social connections and community spirit.

Our project aims to increase physical activity and health and mental wellbeing, provide peer support, and increase the opportunity for social interaction within our community.

We are going to use the funding to: 1. Hold a ‘community day’ with stalls in Shaw Park in conjunction with local organisations and groups, enabling residents to find out about local activities. This will include taster sessions for various sports including tennis, bowling, basketball, netball and street hockey.

2. Develop a community growing space with seating to encourage residents of all ages to spend time, talk, grow food and flowers, share and gain knowledge about gardening and using crops and enjoy socialising in the open air together.

3. Organise a series of Dementia Awareness sessions for local organisations, businesses, groups and anyone else interested.

This will assist our aspirations for Symington to become a 'dementia friendly' community which is safe, respectful and supportive for people with dementia and their care-givers.

Contact Details Website: https://www.symingtoncc.co.uk/ Email: symingtoncc@hotmail.com Facebook: @symingtonccayrshire

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The Iris Arts Ayr CIC

The Iris will run monthly film screenings with activities and discussion groups to encourage people in the communities of Ayr North, Annbank and Girvan to get together to watch a film and explore issues related to mental health.

Movies in Mind is a safe, fun, accessible and friendly way to enjoy cinema in your local area, and it will allow audience members to tackle loneliness and social isolation by getting together with other people in their area to enjoy a film and a cuppa.

Contact Details Website: theirisayr.com Email: hello@theirisayr.com Facebook: The Iris Ayr

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Vics in the Community Vics in the Community are delighted to have received support from the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund and over the course of the next year will be delivering mental health and wellbeing support via group sessions and one-to-one support at Lochside Community Centre, Dalmilling Church, Newton Primary School, Ayr Academy and Domain Youth Centre, so that we make our services easily accessible to the whole Ayr North community.

These will be a combination of weekly/monthly drop-in sessions and delivering a preventative approach as well as a reactive approach to help the community deal with fresh challenges presented.

The support will be targeted to bringing people together, reducing isolation and improving confidence in dealing with everyday issues that affect everyone. Tailored support will be delivered according to specific needs and feedback taken on what issues the community would like to be covered.

Contact Details Andrew Downie Telephone: 07834 903 735 Email: vicsinfo1@gmail.com

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Yogable CIC

We are Yogable, a CIC currently providing two weekly adaptive yoga classes in South Ayrshire and yoga outreach in care homes. At these classes we teach adapted yoga for people with physical disabilities, long term conditions, injuries, mobility issues, mental health conditions, trauma or special needs.

Our project will extend our service to deliver three additional adaptive yoga classes per week - one in Girvan, one in Ayr and one in North Ayr. The one in Ayr will specifically be for adults with special needs. Each yoga class will last one hour and will include time for socialising at the end.

We hope to attract people to our classes through advertising and referrals from the NHS and private organisations such as physiotherapists and chiropractors. We hope that the people attending our classes will experience improvement in their mental health, mobility and wellbeing. We also hope that they will connect with others in the class and therefore have a reduction in their sense of isolation and loneliness.

Contact Details Telephone: 07974 024660 07796 274 642 Email: info@yogable.org

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VASA

Scottish Charity Number: SC028234

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