The £120,000 fund has been launched by North Ayrshire Council and North Ayrshire Ventures Trust (NAVT) to help relieve some of the financial pressures facing the third and voluntary sector since the start of the pandemic.

Money was ring-fenced by the council and NAVT – a council-run grant programme developed to support voluntary, community and social enterprises in the region – after stepping in to help groups bounce back from the difficulties faced as a result of lockdown and Covid-19.

The significant funding boost will support 12 successful community groups to meet expenditure requirements over a short, six-month period while more sustainable funding solutions are explored.

The Community Renewal and Recovery Fund will also support areas the community groups have been unable to invest in during the pandemic including funding for volunteer training, increasing food stock in community larders, purchasing youth group equipment and developing mental health resource packs to name a few.

Successful grant applicants are as follows:

• Ayrshire Community Education and Sport £8,000
• Ardrossan Whitlees Community Centre £8,273
• Blacklands Community Association £9,500
• Broomlands and Bourtreehill Community Association £7,000
• Evolution Skatepark £12,273
• Fullarton Community Hub £20,000
• Kilwinning Community Football Academy £3,681
• Largs Foodbank £5,000
• Pennyburn Community Association £5,000
• Springside Community Association £5,000
• Triple Act Theatre & Arts £16,273
• Vineburgh Community Association £20,000

Awards were decided upon by an independent panel, with members drawn from Locality Partnerships and a wide variety of community groups covering a range of locations, themes and demographics.

Rhona Arthur, head of service (connected communities), said: “NAVT and the council are delighted to offer assistance via the Community Renewal and Recovery Fund to these organisation’s who are right at the heart of our communities, providing such vital support and comfort to residents during these challenging times.

“As the Covid vaccine roll out continues and groups focus on planning for the renewal of their services, it is fantastic that we can offer this crucial funding support and do our part to help alleviate the significant financial hardships both voluntary and third sector groups have faced after a year’s loss of income.

“We will continue to work together with voluntary and third sector organisations and director groups to support funding opportunities. Our aim is to strengthen community-based services as restrictions ease and do everything we can to help support the needs of those in our communities who have been impacted by poverty and inequality during the pandemic.”