Three North Ayrshire community projects have won the bids for the Chancellor’s Budget.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has awarded over £1 million to three projects focused on better North Ayrshire's communities.
Half of the allocated cash has been awarded to Impact Arts; a creative regeneration and renewal project, using art to develop training and employment skills.
The creative arts charity, which has been in Irvine for 20 years, bagged £524,581.
Chief executive officer Fiona Doring said: “We know what amazing social, economic and cultural impacts can be achieved by working creatively and partnering with North Ayrshire’s people, communities and organisations.
"To have this level of support will allow us to work with more people across Ayrshire and with more organisations to bring about further positive change, and as of Monday we will be starting to implement our ambitious plans.”
Initially, the charity are seeking referrals for young people who need support with their mental wellbeing for their ‘Make Space’ project.
The project will combine therapeutic arts activities with wellbeing techniques through a range of virtual 1-1 and group sessions, which can be accessed at a time to suit the individual. The project has already demonstrated just how impactful this approach can be, in building resilience and reducing anxiety.
There will also be a range of employability programmes for unemployed young people aged 16-26 who are struggling to get qualifications or have barriers to progressing to the next stage in their lives.
Impact Arts are also interested in speaking to any artists or makers living or working in North Ayrshire who would welcome the opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge of working in community settings through their Makers & Artists Mentoring Programme.
And £456, 617 has been awarded to the Islands Green Programme — targeting Arran and Cumbrae to accelerate the move to net-zero and boost economic recovery and renewal in coastal communities.
And £199, 920 went to Place Frameworks Development — a project to involve communities in place-making and strategic planning.
Scottish Conservative MSP for West Scotland Jamie Greene MSP said: “I am delighted to see the UK Government’s Community Renewal Fund supporting important projects in North Ayrshire.
“From boosting employment and training to helping us achieve net zero, the projects will be of huge benefit to our community, and I look forward to seeing them develop in the near future.
“This welcome announcement from Rishi Sunak demonstrates the huge benefits North Ayrshire derives from being part of the UK.”
For more information, call Impact Arts on (0141) 575 3001, email hello@impactarts.co.uk or head to www.impactarts.co.uk to find out more about their projects.
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