We will design, have printed and install four high impact pop-up banners that we will rotate around community hubs across Prestwick, Monkton and Dundonald (Businesses, libraries, GP surgeries, Dentists).  

Each will feature:

• Bold headline such as “Unpaid Carer? Get Local Support in... (Prestwick x2/Dundonald/Monkton) Now”  
• Live QR code linking directly to the 24/7 Bridget carer support platform and direct registration.
• Local branding: Carers Gateway Group logo and colour palette as well as Prestwick & Villages LPP
• Concise prompt: “Scan for immediate advice, support, digital training and workshops”

By rotating these banners around high footfall points, we’ll help normalise carer identity, drive early self-referral and steer carers straight to round the clock help before challenges escalate. 

What is Bridget?: It is a cutting edge online self help service, that harnesses AI to help carers of all ages. It’s specifically designed to provide personalised localised support and information to help people care loved ones and themselves. Carers can quickly select the topics that affect them and it instantly build them a custom carer support plan with advice, health tips and information about local events and services. It registers the Carer with the Gateway in touch through email and text, offering more help where you need it. We’ll also check in regularly to see how you’re doing and offer extra support when necessary. Carers can access everything anytime, day or night and if they choose to register they can save their plan and pick up where they left off next time.

Need: Economic value of unpaid care: The UK’s 6.4 million unpaid carers save the public purse an estimated £119 billion every year more than the entire NHS budget. Based on demographic proportions, we estimate there are 1,200 unpaid carers in Prestwick & villages. Without increasing easy, visible, public prompts many Carers may only seek help once in crisis. Our “Get Local Support Now” banners, with live QR links to Bridget, will help normalise “carer” as an identity, lower access barriers and drive early referrals, reducing later resource heavy emergency interventions.

We plan to use the funding to support the Maybole Food Pantry by purchasing essential distribution materials, including vacuum packaging, kraft paper bags, and labels. These resources will allow us to safely and effectively package a variety of surplus and donated food items, helping us maintain hygiene standards and improve the overall presentation and durability of the food parcels we provide. The funding will ensure that we can continue to meet the growing demand for food support in the local area, reduce food waste, and deliver a dignified and reliable service to individuals and families facing food insecurity due to the rising cost of living.

£2000 will pay for 10 refurbished bikes, to be supplied by our CGX Cycle Works as capital assets costing £200 each to be donated free of charge to individuals.  CGX Cycle Works has recently completed two successive years producing 400 refurbished bikes to issue free of charge to young people across South Ayrshire.  The Cycling Scotland recognised cost of a refurbished bike exceeds £250, with the additional costs of storing and distributing them to recipients further exceeding that, all being regarded as elements of the total capital cost to achieve the transfer of ownership of the capital asset.  During distribution of the bikes to children, many of the parents asked about the availability of free bikes so they could go on rides with their children.  We hope to meet this identified need.

The purpose of Troon Men’s Shed is to provide recreational facilities and advance the social needs, health and well being of men of all ages and backgrounds living in Troon and surrounding areas. Troon Men's Shed is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) regulated by the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR), Scottish Charity number: SC053474.

Troon Men’s Shed was established in April 2024 and has a growing membership of 75 members, and currently meet fortnightly in The Lighthouse Christian Centre with guest speakers attending, as well as occasional visits to places of interest. Our members have volunteered to help out at community events in Troon at Wintertainment, Troon Round Table Fireworks and Santa Float, and we have recently assisted Ayrshire Cancer Support with practical DIY work at their new Ayr Centre. 

Members benefit by meeting with other men in a safe environment, reducing their social isolation and providing mental stimulation, which also benefits their families. The acquisition of the Hosiery Park Pavilion will enable us to meet more regularly and undertake practical workshop activities, which we are unable to do in a hired meeting hall. The establishment of workshop activities will enable men to utilise their practical skills, and to pass on their knowledge to others. It will also allow us to provide practical help to other community groups in Troon. 

A Stage 1 Community Asset Transfer Request was submitted to South Ayrshire Council in November 2024, and the Stage 2 request is currently being prepared. The Hosiery Park Pavilion building is in poor condition as it has been unused for several years, and once acquired would it will be repaired and converted into a suitable facility comprising of an activity workshop area where woodworking and other similar practical activities can be undertaken, and a separate multi-use social space. 

We are applying for funding of £2,000 towards our Shed redevelopment capital costs for:     • Ducted Air to Air to Heat Pump     • Heat Recovery Ventilation System     • Solar PV + Battery      • Sunamp Water Heater and Storage 

Information about Troon Men’s Shed is available on our website https://troonmensshed.wordpress.com/ 

We also have a Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/troonmensshed/

Membership is free and is open to any man aged 18 or over who is lives Troon or surrounding areas and who supports our purpose. Apply to join online:https://troonmensshed.wordpress.com/join/

Please support us so the men of Troon can "head to the shed". Thank you!

We plan to purchase the following equipment to allow for hybrid and online meetings:

IT Equipment

• Cyber security package £144.00
• Web cam £240.00
• TV £200.00
• Cables £12.00

Also a notice board with internal lighting £1000

Being awarded funding to open our studio space will align with UK Shared Prosperity Fund’s goals by strengthening the resilience of our community through creative learning and reducing isolation in our communities by bringing people together in a space that they can take ownership of. By providing accessible and affordable quality arts and entertainment we will be tackling inequalities and improving life chances for people living in our community and beyond

The Iris currently delivers creative learning workshops where people can learn how to express themselves and have their voices heard about things that matter to them by learning how to create film and theatre. By teaching people living in our community creative writing and film productions skills, we can empower people to learn and help them to improve their mental health. The Iris is a multi-award winning production company, having produced 100s of creative learning pieces with people living in our community since 2019. By having a studio space open we can empower the community to create more, bring more people together and access free or reduced cost creative learning and entertainment.

At Carrick Rugby we are committed to promoting health & wellbeing through the sport of rugby in the Carrick area. Carrick Rugby is based in the communities of Girvan & Maybole & is committed to offering everyone the chance to take part in healthy activity, improve their social connections, improve their life chances & support their mental & physical health. We are immensely proud of our success in keeping young people engaged in both playing & coaching younger members & in helping to develop their careers in sport & in many other areas.

The direct beneficiaries are the young people and adults (male and female) participating in a fantastic team sport that develops confidence, discipline, health, social & general wellbeing. On a far wider scale the families also become involved & the sense of community that is built around the club has an impact far beyond the pitch, helping to break down barriers & build social cohesion.  We work with partners from the community and have built strong links with Active Schools, Girvan Youth Trust, VASA, Scottish Rugby, Girvan and Carrick Academies and Thriving Communities.

• Active Schools

“Carrick Rugby Club do amazing work in supporting their local communities, & our own Thriving Communities service, through the provision of programmes designed to reduce social isolation, improve mental health & wellbeing, & build community resilience. They support the development of young people & adults with skills for life improving employability & life chances, reducing poverty & increasing ambition & aspirations. We are proud to work in partnership with Carrick Rugby Club who are invested in improving the communities across North & South Carrick.”

The money will be used to purchase small equipment in a variety of sizes to provide opportunities for rugby at all levels. The equipment will be used for community based sport including Friday Night Diversionary Rugby, community fun days, tartan touch style rugby during the summer break, holiday camps etc. along with general training and playing.