We are devloping the former Darlington church, a B listed building, in the heart of Ayr North to create a community hub, a creative learning centre and an accessible community cinema and theatre so that people living locally can engage in creative learning at a reduced cost or for free. This will build confidence in the community and support self esteem amongst people living there who want to learn new creative skills.

We are seeking capital funding to support the development of the space to create an accessible place where people can come together, learn and share. To develop this space we are looking for funding for building work, a new window, flooring, a staff toilet and a joinery work to create desks and shelves for a creative community library, and chairs for groups to sit on.

Funding will allow us to build a room in the former Vestry of a building that has lain derelict for 17 years and complement the development of our community studio so that people can access groups that align with local priorities and make Ayr North a more accessible place to live.

The building sits in an area of high deprivation and many people live in poverty, and are marginalised, have disabilities, face addiction issues and social isolation. Many young people living here are Young Carers and are at risk of entering the criminal justice system. Having a space that they can use to learn means that diversionary activities like film education, film making workshops and creative activities can empower them and lead them to more positive destinations.

By having a space to meet and learn, people living locally can have the opportunity to create valuable work in a space that they can take ownership of and we have a sucessful track record of award winning work created by Young People living here. Having a space for them to learn in will give them the opportunity to meet more regulalry and take pride in their place and work. People can become familiar with the space and have opportunites to volunteer at events taking place in the adjoining studio, creating employability opportunities and supporting Young People to feel empowered. Older people can engage in volunteering opportunites, meet new people, and feel less socially isolated.

We have already received in kind support from the community payback team who have cleared the room out and made it accessible and funding would allow us to develop the space into a useable, functioning space that serves and inspires people living locally. We have received many donations of plays, books and film education texts so buidling a small library space will make it more user friendly and people can access specialist books for creative learning. We have applied for funding for laptops and digital learning equipment and have recently recieved funding for new filmmaking equipment that can be used by people who want to learn and create. We have received funding to develop our community studio that will be open to the public and host events and workshops and by having a dedicated space for learning and meeting, people living locally can engage, volunteer and find the confidence to host their own events and screenings in the adjoining studio

SATTC were the first club in Scotland to embrace table tennis for PWP and is the catalyst for (so far) eleven other clubs in the country taking up the project. Thanks to the club demonstrating to Table Tennis Scotland that the inclusion of PWP within the sport is proven to slow down this degenerative disease; However, hall rental costs have risen dramatically recently and we need a constant supply of training balls to alleviate the need for participants using their playing time chasing after one ball after each rally. The Parkinson’s group get through approximately 20 broken balls every month.  

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

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

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

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