Three community projects in Ayrshire have been given the go-ahead thanks to over £10,000 worth of grants from the ScotRail Foundation Cultural and Arts Fund.
Vics in the Community – part of Whitletts Victoria Football Club – has been awarded £2,670 to provide additional football coaching sessions for primary school aged children. Vics in the Community was established in April 2018 to tackle the high levels of social disadvantage and anti-social behaviour among young people in the Whitletts and Wallacetown areas of Ayr.
In South Ayrshire, the Girvan and District Entertainment and Attractions Association (GDEAA) has benefited from £3,528.47 in funding to cover the costs of a series of events during the local Civic Week from 24-30 June 2019. The programme of events includes a gala day, senior citizens party, pet show and treasure hunt.
The Girvan Community Sport Hub has been awarded £3,880 to support the delivery of the Glendoune Project – which will engage young people and free sports and physical activities over the course of the year. A lack of physical activity provision has been identified on the Glendoune estate, with trends in health issues and anti-social behaviour.
A total of £60,215 has been awarded to 18 groups and individuals throughout the country in the latest round of funding, and is the largest grant the Cultural and Arts Fund has ever made.
The ScotRail Foundation is part of the ‘ScotRail in the Community’ initiative and aims to empower residents making a positive difference in their local community.
Applications are taken from groups or individuals across Scotland looking to fund arts, community recreation, or sports activities in the vicinity of a train station, or with a travel or safety theme.
ScotRail Alliance Head of Economic and Community Development James Ledgerwood said:
“It’s fantastic to see the real difference that these grants are making to the lives of people throughout Ayrshire and the surrounding areas, bringing communities together.
“We know how important the railway is to the communities we serve, and we want to do all we can to strengthen and support that link.”
Foundation Scotland Chief Executive Officer Giles Ruck said:
“We have been working with the ScotRail Foundation since 2016 supporting grassroot projects across Scotland.
This latest round has attracted a number of projects which will connect communities to their railway stations, bringing colour and vibrancy to the stations and the thousands of travellers who pass through each day.”