13 Ayrshire community groups handed huge funding boost for vital projects

Community groups in Ayrshire are celebrating after receiving funding support from Co-op’s Local Community Fund to make a difference in local communities.

Over £24,000 has been shared in and around the area, including Assloss Community Garden at Dean Castle which received £1,524 which will help to continue supporting local communities allowing them to work on projects and growing their own fruit and vegetables in community garden.

Ayrshire Recording Services received £1,623 and aims to use the funds to improve the social and emotional wellbeing of visually impaired people in the community.

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Culzean Primary School staff and pupils are excited to move to a new campus and would use £2,318 from Co-op to develop outdoor learning as a way to learn about the natural environment and help promote good mental health.

Troon-based Marr Cappella Community Choir received £1,524 and is now planning to offer singing therapy in nursing homes for those unable to attend concerts.

Acts of Kindness received £1,524 which will go towards extending their Foodshare offering to include larder staples like tins, dried food and packet goods.

Ayr Bruin Junior Ice Hockey Club received £1,842 which will help to provide opportunities for children aged 4 to 16 to participate in the sport of ice hockey.

Coastwatch Scotland Irvine aiming to a funding of £2,363 to improve their training for young people, facilitate training for volunteers coming from in-patient NHS mental health wards and expand their outreach to young people on the DofE award scheme.

Cranberry's Community Larder will use a funding of £2,287 to continue helping families in Kilwinning access food with dignity in times of hardship.

Dalry's Playtime Early Years received £2,023 and will use it to develop their outdoor play area to enhance the children's learning experiences and improve their mental wellbeing.

Troon Round Table received £1,753 and would use this extra funding to keep their annual events returning year on year in the midst of rising costs, in order to spread further happiness and joy in the local community.

A community-based group Maybole over 50s will use a funding of £2,165 to continue offering yoga classes which are also open to non-members.

Craigmark Youths Football Club 2017s looking forward to using a funding of £1,524 to develop football and various non-technical skills, regardless of ability, while simply having fun. They want to bring youths football back to the Doon Valley.

Lastly, Irvine Vineburgh Boxing Club received £1,713 to continue improving the lives and mental health of young people in the community.

The benefits to community groups extends beyond the funding support, with 95 per cent of causes saying that they felt more connected with their community as a result of participating in Co-op’s Local Community Fund and, that participating in the scheme had helped to raise their profile locally.

Co-op members drive the amount received by the local cause by simply selecting the local cause they would like to support via Co-op’s Membership App.

Thanks to Co-op Members, Co-op’s Local Community Fund has now shared more than £58 million with over 20,500 community groups across the UK since 2020, making a difference locally and supporting the creation of strong and resilient communities.

Rebecca Birkbeck, Director of Community and Member Participation at Co-op said: "Co-op is a different way of doing business - and as a business owned by you, we are committed to doing right by you and your community.

"Co-op members have a say on where they would like to see the support given in order to make a difference locally, and our Local Community Fund works to promote healthy, strong and viable communities.

"We are delighted that as a direct result of our members shopping with us, causes in towns, villages and cities across the UK will be celebrating receiving critical funding.

"We know things are increasingly tough for communities - this funding will help them with delivering the services and support that their community needs and create a real and tangible difference to local lives."

Co-op is one of the world’s largest consumer-owned co-operatives, with its history dating back 180 years.

Its members own the business and play an intrinsic part in its governance with a say in how the organisation is run.

Co-op exists to create social, economic and ownership value for its membership, including member-only price savings across everyday essentials, and personalised offers via the Co-op Membership App.

Funding is boosted through the convenience retailer’s 'Winners Share It All' prize draw which offers 10 chances each month to win £5,000 for causes and £500 for Co-op members.

More information about the benefits of Co-op Membership is available by visiting here.

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