I.T Volunteer

William Morton

So William what is your earliest memory of growing up in Beith?

Burnside of roughwood cottage, field outside,burn at the side and a small garden. A short walk into Beith.

Read More

[yop_poll id=”1″]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales Assistant             Poundland     Paisley Festive Colleague         Tesco             Linwood School Administrator     UWS       Paisley Sales & Supplier Liaison / Office Administrator Christmas Sales Advisor – full time Nursery Assistant   Apprenticeship   Paisley Mystery Shopper Forklift Truck Driver/General Yard Person Care &Support worker – Carphone Warehouse Sales Consultant Multi Drop Driver – Small Van Recreation Assistant II (Fitness)(Part Time) Sales & Supplier Liaison / Office Administrator

It’s that time again where we speak to some of the amazing people working at Beith Trust. This time around we’re speaking to Peter, a team leader.

Tell everyone a bit about yourself?

I’m 40 years old man who had a hard paper round in my teens . On an honest note, I’ve worked welfare& work sector for 25 years, as a manager, I also enjoy helping Essential Plus alongside my wife Marianne. I enjoy seeing what our trainees achieve and moving them on to a positive destination. I enjoy all things 60s. I own a 1971 Vespa and my best friend is my son, Joshua.

 

 

Why did you become involved with Beith Trust?

This opportunity of working for Beith Trust  was an exciting prospect and with over 15 years of working as a manager, I know I could bring a lot to the job.  The chance to get out from behind the desk and do some physical work again was exciting. Teaching the young team new skills and getting them involved in new training opportunities is just magic.

What are you doing today?

I’m training Robert Craig, my young apprentice to take his first training session with the trainees. It’s exciting times.

 

Today we’re chatting to one of the people doing a modern apprenticeship here at Beith Trust. Cameron McIntosh is one of those people.

How did you get started?

After finishing my college course I was told that Beith had opportunities for modern apprenticeships and I jumped at that chance. After an interview with Jane Lamont I was straight into learning and working. It all happened so fast, I wasn’t expecting it to happen like that but it did and I’m loving it.

What have you been up to since then? Skills etc

I’ve learnt so much over the days and weeks, it’s been great. Everything from working as a part of a team to being on my own. I’ve been learning about horticulture, gardening, maintaining a section of land and we’ve also been doing a bit of construction as well. I’ve also been taking a cooking class as well, learning to cook different meals.

What does the future hold?

Hopefully new job opportunities, a chance on progressing even further once the apprenticeship is over. I hope to gain new experiences once it’s completed. We’ll see what happens.

Working at Beith Trust?

It’s fantastic. The people here have been so helpful. They’ve kept me on the right path, just knowing that the support is there makes all the difference. The staff treat you as one of their own, it’s a great place to come and learn.

I’m looking forward to seeing what happens.

Soft Landscape Operative – Swinburne Horticultural Services – Johnstone TEMPORARY STORE SUPPORT COLLEAGUE- CURRYS PC WORLD – Braehead Temporary Christmas Sales Associate (Inc. Hours) – H Samuel  – Glasgow Forklift Truck Driver/General Yard Person – W & J Knox – Kilbirnie NURSERY COOK – Woodlands Day Nursery – Johnstone Parts Adviser – Park’s Motor Group – Irvine

Site Supervisor – Feerick Ltd – Dalry Skilled Site Labourer – Feerick Ltd – Dalry Ground Worker/Machine Driver – Feerick Ltd – Dalry Chauffeur – Craig Bilham Executive Travel – Irvine PCV Driver – Craig Bilham Executive Travel – Irvine Kitchen Assistant – Buckreddan Care Centre – Kilwinning Web Chat Consultants – Stellar – Irvine Stock Assistant – Argos – Paisley Mountain Sport Advisor (part-time) – Decathlon – Braehead Mountain Sport Advisor (Full time) – Decathlon – Braehead Running/H&D Sports Advisor – Decathlon  – Braehead Administrator – OfficeRecruit – Hillington Leisure Assistant – Mar Hall Hotel – Bishopton CUSTOMER ASSISTANT – SALESFLOOR – Marks & Spencer – Braehead Experienced Gardener / Handyperson – Acre Industrial and Cleaning Services Ltd. – Johnstone Temporary General Assistant – Scottish Fire & Rescue Service – Kilmarnock Wholetime Firefighter – Scottish Fire & Rescue Service – Various Locations Retail Team Member – Krispy Kreme – Glasgow Central Station

Care Assistant / Worker – Allied Healthcare – Johnstone Rapid Response Care Assistant – Allied Healthcare – Barrhead Door Supervisor – Professional Security – Irvine Ambient Colleague Nights – Asda Ltd – Linwood Computer Repair Engineer – PC Callout Limited – Paisley Business Administrator Modern Apprenticeship – Apprenticeships.Scot – Linwood Asda Colleague – Asda Ltd – Linwood Hospitality Internship – Ayrshire College – Kilmarnock IT Operations Solutions Trainee– reed.co.uk – PAISLEY Commis Chef – Scotland & Sea Food Court – Glasgow Airport Care & Support worker – Voyage Care – Beith Cook – The Eglinton Inn – Beith Cleaning Operative – Regent Samsic – Largs Marketing Officer – East Renfrewshire Council – Barrhead Experienced Cook – Beith Care Home Services Driver – Boots – Johnstone Sales Consultant – Carphone Warehouse – Irvine Sales Assistant – Photo Me – Irvine Care Assistant – Bupa – Irvine Customer Service Agent – Stafffinders – Renfrewshire cookery / baking instructor – crafty cooks sw scotland – Kilmarnock slinger / banksman – europlant maintenance uk ltd – Stevenston CONSTRUCTION WORKER/LABOURER – europlant maintenance uk ltd – Stevenston Outbound Telesales Advisor – VOCA – Irvine Cleaner – Spectrum Service Solutions Ltd – Stevenston Farm Manager – University of Glasgow – School of Veterinary Medicine – Glasgow Mechanical Maintenance Fitter – MOD – Beith Torpedoes In Service Support – MOD – Beith Administrative Officer DWP (Benefit Caseworker/Telephony Agent)  – Department for Work and Pensions – Paisley DESG Undergraduate Sponsorship Scheme – MOD – Various Locations Stage technician – centre stage – Kilmarnock Various jobs, various stores – Buchanan Galleries – Glasgow Looking for countryside and environment jobs? Try this site Looking for jobs in heritage and culture? Try this site Keep your eyes peeled for Christmas jobs, they are starting to appear now!

Top Vacancies 

Experienced Hard Landscaper – Munro External Works – Ayrshire
Christmas Temp – GAME – Kilmarnock
Advanced Apprenticeship Scheme – Network Rail
_______________________________________________________________
XS Stock
**WAREHOUSE OPERATIVE VACANCY**
We’re looking for a reliable individual to join our warehouse team at 3 Brewster Place in Riverside Business Park, KA11 5DD.
You will assist in all areas of warehouse operation including picking, packing and goods-in.
Some heavy lifting is required. Previous experience and a valid counterbalance forklift certification is desired but not essential.
You will be motivated, energetic and able to complete all tasks with accuracy and enthusiasm.
This position is temporary. Contract ends 23rd December 2016.
Hours of work are Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm.
National minimum wage.
PLEASE NOTE THIS POSITION IS NOT BASED AT THE SHOP.
If you would like to apply please return your completed application form to apply@xs-stock.co.uk
Download your application form here: http://www.xs-stock.com/application-form.doc
Download the full job description here: http://www.xs-stock.com/job-description.pdf
CVs will not be considered for this position.
Deadline for applications is Friday 9th September 2016.

Community Connector – Pennyburn Regeneration Youth Development Enterprise – Kilwinning
Community Builder – Access to Employment Ayr – North Ayrshire
Community Co-ordinators (part time) – Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland – North Ayrshire
Community Co-ordinators – Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland – North Ayrshire
DOMESTIC WORKER – Shalom Nursing Home – Irvine
Trainee Stencil Maker – Calman Technology Limited – Irvine
Warehousing & Storage apprentice (JB65DT) – JB Management – Irvine

Cleaner Operative – DCM – Irvine
Digital Skills Apprentice – QA Ltd – Irvine
Digital Web & Marketing Apprentice – QA Ltd – Renfrewshire
Fast Track Customer Service Drivers – Argos – Irvine
Customer Service Adviser – Argos  – Irvine
Stock Assistant – Argos – Irvine

Bar Person Front of House – Cecchinis Restaurant & Bar – Ardrossan
Affordable Housing Co-ordinator (Strategy) – NAC – Irvine
Retail Assistant (16 Hours) – Dynamic Retail Limited – Irvine
Personal Assistant – NHS – Crosshouse Hospital
Receptionist – Commercial Property Maintenance Services Ltd. – Johnstone
Audio Typist – Adam & Co – Irvine
Office Admin Apprentice – QA Ltd – Irvine
Sales Adviser – Superdrug – Largs
Fitness Coach – Galaxy Leisure – Kilbirnie
Bike Rider – Pizza Hut – Irvine
Car Owner Delivery Driver – Pizza Hut – Irvine
Driver – NAC – Kilwinning
Fitness Instructor – SimpsInns Ltd – Irvine
Production Operative – STAFFFINDERS – Irvine
Security Officer with SIA – Profile Security Services – West Kilbride
Paintball Marshal – Delta Force Paintball West Glasgow – Johnstone
Forklift Driver (Counterbalance + Reach Licence) – R Job Network – Stevenston
Horticulturalist Modern Apprenticeship – Apprenticeships.Scot – Irvine
Business &Administration Modern Apprenticeship – Apprenticeships.Scot – North Ayrshire
Trainee / Apprentice Nursery Nurse – Carousel Training Centre – Irvine

Trainee / Apprentice Nursery Nurse – Carousel Training Centre – Largs
PSV Part Time Coach / School Driver – Bennett’s of Kilwinning – Stevenston
Handyman / Joiner – Bennett’s of Kilwinning – Kilwinning
Customer Service Assistant – William Hill – Johnstone
Checkout Operator, Chilled Colleague – Asda – Ardrossan

Some great news from the Scottish government this week. Check out the link below for more details.

 

http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Funding-to-tackle-food-poverty-2a13.aspx

Here are some of the amazing beers that will be at this year’s festival. Be sure to check them all out. They’re will also be live music as well so be sure

to check out the awesome bands playing this year.

 

Not long to go now. Remember! tickets are £5. Festival starts at 1pm – 9pm. Plenty of food and drinks. Live music as well.

Just some of the awesome ale’s that will be at this year’s festival.

 

Remember to grab some tickets!

It will all kick off at 1pm and finish at 9pm we have homemade food and some awesome live music from local talents throughout the festival.

 

This is the complete line-up for the beer festival. It will all kick off at 1pm and finish at 9pm we have homemade food and some awesome live music from local talents.

Beer Festival coming to a community centre near you…if you live in Beith. On the 27^th August we have 6 different breweries bringing their beers and real ales to Beith alongside Thistly Cross Cider for those of us that don’t like beer.

It will all kick off at 1pm and finish at 9pm we have homemade food and some awesome live music from local talents throughout the festival. Don’t miss out it is £5 entry and with that you will get a branded glass that is yours to keep.

Beith juniors 1 Pollock Fc 1

Final score beith win 4-3 on Penalties

So it happened, first Scottish junior cup final, first Junior Cup, in the 78 year history of Beith Juniors  it would be hard to find a better occasion.

Throughout the ninety minutes then straight onto penalties there were  cheers, jeers, tears at point’s relief, then an explosion of emotion, with more than a few hugs, clapping, whooping, more tears and shock on people’s faces that  Beith had won the ETHenergy Junior Scottish Cup.

Pollock started the stronger dominating possession, finding passes and looked like the favorites the bookies had made them. Winning every ball for the majority of the first half. Only a lack of clinical finishing, brave defending and goalkeeping from Beith Goalkeeper Stephen Grindlay prevented them from scoring and spared Beith blushes.

On the 18^th minute Beith lost Tommy Martin through injury being replaced by Jamie Wilson. A change of personal, tactics going from 4-4-2 to 3-5-2 and Beith becoming more confident finding passes and danger men. Meant that by the end of the first half Beith  were not only more settled  but had the best chance with Kenny Mclean’s volley heading net bound until Pollock Keeper  John Longmuir tipped over his own bar.

Although Pollock started the second half as they had the first, Beith were more comfortable, breaking with pace, guile and numbers, finding passes and creating opportunities. On the 59^th minute Darren Christie hit a low left foot shot passed Longmuir which went into the far corner.

The east stand with the Beith fans went crazy, I’m sure it rocked for the next 3-4 minutes, if Rugby Park had a roof the ovation would have taken it off. This was replaced by a nervousness as it suddenly became a reality that Beith could win the cup.

While the Beith fans some still shouting others, sitting biting their nails wished the time would disappear, the Pollock fans seemed stunned, with a near silence at the main stand they had.

Pollock reacted by bringing on Robbie Winters and Liam Rowan, and after a David Winters shot was tipped onto the post by Grindlay and a scramble, Robbie was there score to equalise.

From then until the final whistle 15 minutes later both teams had chances to win the game with a David McGowan header for Beith and Robbie Winters shot for Pollock both coming the closest for their teams.

So straight to penalties we went no extra time, penalties which can be a cruel, Mclean missed the first for Beith; Pollock took a 2-0 lead which disappeared thanks to saves by Grindlay and Beith scoring the others. Richie Burke stepped up and well the rest is history.

Sure at times Beith rode their luck but when the whistle blew it didn’t matter Beith’s dream had become a reality. The players, coaches, fans had stood up, been counted and are now forever part of local folklore

Team (Beith Juniors)

Stephen Grindlay (Goalkeeper)

Iain Fisher

Nicky Docherty

Kevin Macdonald

John Sheridan (Captain)

Tommy Martin (substituted 18^th minute for Wilson)

Darren Christie

Paul Frize

Kenny Mclean

Andy Reid

Richie Burke

Subs

David McGowan

Jamie Wilson (replaced Martin 18^th minute)

Thomas Collins

Josh Mcarthur

Zander Ryan

Referee Graham Beaton

This week at Soup Group we decided that the Bug Hotel needed a spring clean for the nicer weather coming in. We got rid of all the old ‘furniture’ to make way for some new 5 star furnishings. The Bug Hotel now comes fully equipped with a ‘football mud bath,’ a ‘plastic bottle sofa’ and a ‘swing made out of rubbish’ – every bugs dream!

After getting muddy in the garden we headed over to the pitch and got all of our energy out playing pop up dodge ball, whats the time Mr Wolf and octopus tig. When then had a quick game of hide ‘n’ seek (a soup group favourite) before gathering around the fire for some vegetable soup and marshmallows!

We cant wait to do it all again. Soup Group will be off next week (11.05.16) and will be back the following week!

 

A former British Prime Minister when asked what he feared the most is said to have replied ‘events dear boy events’

Well certainly you can’t say that about Beith Trust, if anything despite the pressure that often comes from organising events and implementing them they continue onwards.

Yes I know readers you will say that I am being biased and seeing Beith Trust through rose tinted glasses and not acknowledging the issues in both the short and long term which can affect a group, this I assure you is far from the truth.

Any of us who have ever been involved in any kind of event will acknowledge the issues both negative and positive that events can have pre and post implementation. On those involved and those who the event is aimed for.

You have the theory, then there’s what actually happens, sometimes the two don’t exactly match up, which can in the long run actually result in something better than you originally envisaged.

Then you have the balance between what you would love to do if time, money and other considerations weren’t an issue and being realistic.

Over the next six months starting from April 19^th-23^rd 2016 Beith Trust will be working in collaboration with local businesses to improve the appearance and condition of Beith Main Street.

The starting event during this period is the  a POP UP DESIGN Studio at 27 main street Beith offering free, impartial  advice from professionals on a range of areas including  shop front improvements- signage/menu, interior design and business ideas.  This is open to all businesses in Beith or those in Beith who have business ideas but are unsure what the first steps are, or what is required in reality to set-up, maintain and grow a small business within a town centre.

This scheme allows/gives opportunity for community networking on the ground rather than in a book/online  which when flourishing can  establish in some cases and reinforce in others joined up thinking between groups of all sizes, businesses in Beith established or new, the local press, local community  and elected officials. Which in turn redefines and redirects what Beith was, is and can be in the future as well as the Garnock Valley.

By William Morton

Today’s events kicked off with lots of astro based fun playing games such as; capture the flag and dodgeball which used up a lot of our energy!  We then moved onto drawing our very own chalk pictures on the ground outside of the astro using a diverse range of rainbow coloured jumbo chalks.  Allowing our imagination to run wild and create masterpieces.  After a full morning of activities it was time for lunch and another movie!

After re-fuelling we went back outside to enjoy the sunshine with some hula hoop and footy fun on the pitch, check out our photos here.  A great end to an exciting week where we created lots, and made new friends.  The perfect way to spend our Easter holidays and make the most of the weather – well done kids see you next time!

 

Another fun day today at Playscheme week!  We completed lots of imaginative tasks such as painting and decorating our own masks and tiara’s with colourful paints and glitters, finishing them off with string.  Continuing with a morning of creativity, we then moved onto some fancy dress fun!  We got to choose our very own individual costume each in which we put to use in our talent show – showcasing our very professional and theatrical abilities.  After our dramatic performances we then stopped for lunch and once again we were treated to a movie.  Once we had finished our lunch we then moved onto writing down why we loved Playscheme and what we learned.  “The best is playing with the dogs, I enjoyed painting my mask” “the best thing about Playscheme is making new friends”.  Well done everyone a great morning and afternoon with our new friends.  See you tomorrow for the last Playscheme day of the week!

 

 

 

Day two of Playscheme was officially under way this morning and afternoon with the great weather encouraging our outdoor activities for the day.  We began with a warm up of dodgeball on the astro turf to prepare us for some Easter egg hunting!  Welly boots intact, we set out into the diversity of the garden using our observation and teamwork skills to spot the hidden chocolate eggs.  “You have hidden these reaaaally well”.  It had taken a lot of effort however we eventually gathered two tubs worth of Easter eggs through searching painstakingly and using our initiative.  It is safe to say our prizes were well earned although the taking part was the real fun!  We then began a game using cards which we had to search for random objects in the garden e.g something; curvy, thin, round, spotty etc.  We then enjoyed another afternoon of having our lunch whilst simultaneously watching our favourite movie of Toy Story on the projector which is safe to say we thoroughly enjoyed (the most quiet we had been all day). Well done everyone another action packed day filled with fun making new friends.  See you all tomorrow for some more adventures!  Check out our photos here.

 

Today we welcomed back the first day of Playscheme!  Day one of four we started out with cupcake decorating the first of many activities of the day to come.  Using plain cupcake sponges we decorated them using our imagination and of course a variety of sweets!  To continue with our creative agenda for the day we then moved onto some artistic paper plate painting from portrait to abstract styles – yet all very colourful!  After using up all of our creative energy we then moved into changing room four to begin some team building games such as blind murder where we had to put all of our detective skills to use and find out the secret murderer! After a morning filled with fun we were treated to a movie whilst having our lunch break and finished off with some synchronised singing.  Last but not least we ended the day with some astro toilet tig putting our teamwork skills to use again.  Everyone had a thoroughly great day and loves spending their Easter holidays at Playscheme and are looking forward to the rest of the week – see you tomorrow!

Yesterday at Nurture Group we completed various adventurous activities including the main activity of an egg hunt carrying on the theme of Easter.  Through intense observation of the trees, treehouses and flower beds we began to quickly acquire many hidden Easter eggs which could not have been done if we had not put our highly practiced teamwork skills from attending Nurture group to use.  After successfully collecting a multitude of different Easter eggs we then moved onto exploring the diverse garden and checking up on our plants in the polytunnel which are growing steadily.

Once we had given the plants and flowers a careful check up we then finished off with some further dog training; continuing to pet them gently, ask for a paw and lastly walk them on their lead properly.  It is fair to say Nurture Group is giving us lots of new skills to learn each week which we can then put to use everyday with friends and in school.  See you next week for some more Nurture fun!

 

 

Yesterday all of our mini chefs gathered in preparation for the last session of Cooking Classes!  Our choice of recipe for this week was fruit tarts where we got to create and decorate our very own Easter masterpieces consisting of bunny faces with sprinkle covered marshmallow bunny ears, strawberry lace whiskers and blueberry eyes.  Aprons intact, we then began the method of making our own shortcrust pastry consisting of flour, eggs, butter and sugar which we combined together in our mixing bowls.  Once we had mixed all of our ingredients together a dough was formed which we then rolled out on our mats ready for precise shaping with our dough cutters.  Six meticulously shaped dough circles later, all thats was left to do was to put them in the oven and patiently wait for them to reappear freshly crisp and risen.  As our pastry tarts cooled down we used our creative design skills to then decorate our cream filled pastry tarts with bunny faces just in time for Easter!  It was apparent that each week of our cooking class lessons had all contributed towards the progression of our newly learned cookery practical skills. A great individual and team effort everyone – well done and we will see you for the next round of our cooking class lessons!

 

On Monday the time had finally arrived for our long awaited campfire (in honor of National Down Syndrome Day) to take place and it was a soaring success.  Lots of friends and some talented musicians gathered round on the wooden pallets around our self built authentic campfire.  Where we were treated to some live entertainment which we all joined in on, singing many songs around the campfire.  Whilst enjoying some talented performances we also put a twist on the traditional campfire snack of marshmallows and tested out toasting ourselves some s’mores! Consisting of marshmallow, a square of chocolate all sandwiched between a biscuit base and it is fair to say it was a successful new take on tradition!  We also were treated to cakes and popcorn all to be enjoyed in a rustic yet luxurious environment with friends.  All working as a team each of us contributed to the evening by putting wood in the fire, toasting our s’mores and singing together. The perfect way to enjoy an outdoor evening.  Although our intention of the evening was to have a great time with friends our main purpose of the event was to celebrate and contribute to National Down Syndrome Day.  Through an enjoyable and successful evening we managed to we contribute to the cause of National Down Syndrome Day and raise thirty-four pounds!  Thanks to all who took part on a wonderful evening to recognise and raise awareness of National Down Syndrome Day!

 

Another successful week at cooking classes with the exciting news of finally baking some rainbow smarties cookies! We began with sieving our plain flour, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda into our mixing bowls and then adding our next ingredients of butter into the mix.  Once we had combined our ingredients we creamed together the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy.  We then worked as a team to crack, add in and beat the egg into our mixing bowls and added in a dash of vanilla extract.  After gradually beating in the egg and sifting in the dry ingredients to form a stiff dough, we then added in our final and most important ingredient – smarties.  Last but not least of today’s cooking class methods we rolled out our dough using rollings pins and finally divided our mixtures into individual shapes before placing on our baking trays.  As our well made cookies rose proudly in the oven we chatted amongst ourselves waiting patiently to have a taste!  Just as we’d hoped our freshly baked smarties cookies looked and tasted great.  Our skills are improving each week – well done everyone!

 

Yesterday at Soup group we began our first of many creative tasks for the day starting off with crafting our own jigsaws.  In preparation for a test of puzzle solving we started off with jigsaw templates and drew our very own design onto the ready prepared jigsaw template, we then scrambled up our jigsaws which meant there was only one thing left to do – put on our thinking caps and solve! Check out all of our photos here.

After all of our creative hard work we then moved onto more expressive fun by using our new mugs as a blank canvas for us to then transfer our imagination from mind to masterpiece using a multitude of colour paints which produced our final outcome of successful designs.

We then moved onto our activity of the day, hide and seek.  Where we peered, ducked and dived laboriously behind many spaces of the garden. Helping to keep us fit and healthy whilst having fun with friends!

To finish off an exciting evening of activities we had soup and marshmallows with all of our friends the perfect end to a fun day.  Another successful week at Soup Group! Consisting of building a various amount of skills such as; communication skills as we learned to work together and communicate with our friends in a team environment.  Also our creative skills which we built on through using our imagination to design and express our own unique creations through painting and drawing.  Producing our own jigsaw puzzles and masterpiece mugs.  Well done everyone!

 

 

 

 

Two organisations based in Kilwinning and Beith, striving to improve and strengthen their communities through people led activities, have been awarded a share in £300,000 Lottery (Monday 14 March).

 

The Big Lottery Fund’s medium grants for community-led activity, which launched in November last year, aims to address inequalities in Scotland by supporting ordinary people to implement positive change in their areas.

 

Ayrshire Communities Education and Sport (ACES), celebrates £150,000 funding over three years, to deliver a variety of activities in Woodwynd, Kilwinning, in response to needs established in and by the community.

 

Some of the activities locals have asked for include: sports, recreation, education and holiday programmes for children, lunch clubs for older people, community garden work, a bike track, a women’s clinic, employability & welfare advice, as well as a large number of classes delivered in the local community centre. It is expected that over the length of the project up to 300 local people will benefit.

 

Whilst much of the work ACES deliver is general sports and youth activities, they have many specific issue based programmes too, for examples, No Knives Better Lives, Suicide Awareness and Legal High Awareness.

 

Margaret Ann McNeil, ACES Chair, explains what a difference this lottery funding will make: “This Lottery boost will ensure we are able to keep the much needed posts of development officer and youth worker. In turn this will allow us to offer new programmes and expand current ones. I’m pleased to say after feedback from the community, we will also be establishing a breakfast group and an after school group, where young people will receive a snack before going home each day. Finally we’re very glad to be extending our highly successful No Knives Better Lives programme, as well as other school projects, to reach even more young people and children.”

 

Dale, ACES community youth worker, said: “I’ve been here for over a year now and I have seen first-hand where the community needs the most support and how difficult that can be to achieve due to budgets. This extra funding can help us offer long-term support to our community and help children and young people on to a more positive track for the future.”

 

Beith Community Development Trust (BCDT) is celebrating £150,000 funding over five years and was formed from an alliance of locals interested in health and well-being and sports, but with limited and poor availability to facilities in the town.

 

To ensure support goes to locals who need it, BCDT is controlled by a membership strategy limited to Beith postcode holders. It is estimated that 500 people will be involved over the five years.

 

Alex MacFie, manager at BCDT, explained how they are always looking at ways to improve the Beith area and get the local community involved: “Beith Trust will use this fantastic Lottery funding to support the ongoing development and delivery of a range of fun, educational and recreational programmes for, and chosen by, the community. Whatever your age or background this funding will enable more quality opportunities for everyone. For example, nurture groups with therapy dogs, outdoor educational groups, cookery workshops and awards and accreditations tailored for young people.”

 

Beith Trust also offer a fun outdoor activity called Soup Group, where young people build dens and create arts and crafts before enjoying some soup around a campfire together and playing campfire games.

 

Two young people who has been reaping the benefits of the project are Pauline and Dylan.

 

Pauline said: “This group has been a great experience for me working with a range of people. I no longer feel scared when trying to express myself.”

 

Dylan said: I’ve learned good communication is sometimes more important than getting things exactly right. I feel like Soup Group is the only place I can be myself.”

 

Jackie Danks at Beith Primary School, said: “Outdoor activities at the project give the children the opportunity to bring their learning back into school and home. I’ve noticed a significant improvement in the behaviour of children taking part in the nurture group. For example, learning to play fairly and be part of a team, as well as having fun.”

 

Maureen McGinn, Big Lottery Fund Scotland Chair, said: “This funding aims to support communities across Scotland to improve the places they live and the well being of those facing challenging circumstances.

 

“In North Ayrshire these two fantastic projects will ensure everyone has an opportunity to contribute to this positive change. We will continue to work with communities and organisations to support activity which is people centered, strength based and has good local connections.”

 

More information on what the Big Lottery Fund assists charities and communities to achieve each year;

• The Big Lottery Fund supports the aspirations of people who want to make life better for their communities across the UK. We are responsible for giving out 40% of the money raised by the National Lottery and invest over £650 million a year in projects big and small in health, education, environment and charitable purposes.

 

• The Big Lottery Fund Scotland is focused on helping people and communities most in need throughout Scotland through its five-year £250m funding scheme as well as small grants schemes Awards for All and Investing in Ideas.

 

• Since March 2007 Big Lottery Fund Scotland has taken devolved decisions on Lottery spending, the Committee, led by Chair, Maureen McGinn plays a strategic role in the future direction of the Fund in Scotland.

 

• Since June 2004 we have awarded over £8 billion to projects across the UK that change the lives of millions of people. Every year we fund 13,000 small local projects tackling big social problems like poor mental health and homelessness.

 

• Since the National Lottery began in 1994, £34 billion has been raised and more than 450,000 grants awarded.

 

Yet another successful week with visible progression via learning new skills with all of our friends at Nurture Group.  Throughout many weeks of carrying out fun activities whilst simultaneously learning we took some quotes from the Nurture Group kids this morning to gain a perspective on how the group helps them personally/as a team progress and grow more and more each week.

“Alex kinda makes me be good and helps us learn to have fun. Daisy and Poppy help you train them and help us know dogs don’t bite. Alex teaches us to be good”.

“If you weren’t coming to pick us up there might be danger on the roads and we would be flat as pancake outside. You teach us to do dog skills and help us learn about dogs like not grabbing them and handling them carefully.  You also teach us to plant. You help us to learn not to hit people. Nurture is lots of fun and its great”.

“Alex teaches us to walk the dogs and to be nice to the others in the group. I feel happy when I go back to class”.

“I learn to play fairly and play with the sand and in the tunnel and with Poppy and Daisy. I don’t have a dog. I’ve just got a bearded dragon”.

Everyone as a team collectively enjoys Nurture group every Wednesday morning at the Astro as it reinforces road safety and the children all look forward to carrying out new fun tasks and games which we can take on board and put to use in the classroom.   Well done everyone!

 

 

 

This week is Modern Apprenticeship and we want to show appreciation to our Business Admin apprenticeship Amy!

Here are some quotes from various members of staff just to prove how awesome she really is!

“Beith Trust was really lucky to get Amy as a modern apprentice. Amy began by volunteering at the Trust before becoming a modern apprentice in business administration and completing her SVQ levels 3 and 4. She is a fantastic, efficient and highly competent member of the team who is relied on heavily by everyone. She is professional, capable and very much an asset to the organisation.”

“Amy McKeeman is a hard working and helpful young woman. She’s funny, kind and made me feel welcome when I was new to the office.”
“Amy is very efficient in all the daily work that she completes, and is a vital part of the team here at Beith Trust in order for the office to run smoothly. She is very friendly and welcoming to all staff, customers and members of the public and approaches all tasks/situations calmly and deals with them productively.”

“Amy is indispensable, she knows all the processes back to front, she knows the people inside out, if you want an issue resolved, Amy’s your go-to person. Her comprehensive understanding of the business allows others to get the information they need to get the job done right, first time. She is flexible and creative, contributing her time and knowledge freely, to support and mentor others.”

Amy keep up the good work you are doing an amazing job and we cannot wait to see what you get up to in the future!

A lot of fun and games had with friends this week at Soup Group beginning with a game of ‘feelings jenga’ where we each took a turn around our circle of friends to meticulously remove a feelings labeled block from the jenga tower.  We then patiently listened to when a time each of us felt ‘happy’ or ‘proud’ etc.  All of  which greatly improved our team building skills and confidence to share our emotions.  Excitingly we then moved on to a treasure hunt game where we foraged the garden and forrest for various random objects on the list such as something; stripey, smooth, blue and lots more.  All of which encouraged us to use our brains and observational skills to scour every nook and cranny of grass, soil, logs and treehouses in order to find the desired items which most definitely brought to the surface our competitive streak.  To continue our evening of activity we then had multiple games of hide and seek which depleted our energy and most definitely required some well deserved snacks.  A great end to an action packed day at the astro check out our photos here.  See you all next week!

 

 

This morning at Nurture Group we began with a frosty walk from our school to the astro (dogs included), warming us up for a day full of activities.  With a morning of teamwork and exploring ahead of us we began with checking up on our very own planted cress heads which are coming on slowly but surely!  We then monitored various other plants and flowers in the diverse poly tunnel such as the soon to bloom vibrant daffodils.  After meticulously observing the different range of vegetables, flowers and plants in the polytunnel we then took to the garden for some dog training.  In order to progress in our dog training abilities we practiced some new skills; we learned how to walk the dogs on the lead, we learned how to get the dogs to give us a high five/paw, which took some perseverance and we also continued to practice how to pet the dogs which the dogs (daisy and poppy) thoroughly enjoyed.  After all of our hard work we finished off with playing in the garden, exploring every nook and cranny of the forest and tree houses with our friends.  A great catch up with friends interacting and learning more about nature – well done everyone!