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Grounded in Garnock

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A brand-new six-week series of seminars and hands-on workshops is set to inspire, connect, and educate people across the Garnock Valley this September.

Grounded in Garnock – Unearthing Networks in Nature will explore the incredible natural systems that exist on our doorstep, from the soil beneath our feet to the biodiversity in our gardens. Delivered by Beith Trust in partnership with North Ayrshire Council, the programme aims to showcase and strengthen the deep connections between people, land, and wildlife.

Each week, participants can attend a midweek evening seminar followed by an optional Saturday practical workshop. Topics include:

  • Stories of Place – connecting with the history, people, and places of the Garnock Valley.
  • Stories of Soil – discovering the hidden life underfoot and how healthy soil sustains us all.
  • Stories of Biodiversity – learning how to protect and enhance local ecosystems for future generations.
  • Stories of Energy – exploring Scotland’s renewable energy transition and what it means for our communities.
  • Stories of Restoration – discovering how repairing the land also restores our wellbeing.
  • Stories of Collaboration – working together to create community-led change for the future.

The series begins on Wednesday 10 September with a storytelling seminar, followed by a guided exploration of local places on Saturday 13 September. Sessions will take place at various Garnock Valley locations, with all adults aged 18+ welcome (some workshops open to children).

Week 2 continues on Wednesday 17 September with Stories of Soil – including a screening of the film Six Inches of Soil and a discussion on the importance of soil health. On Saturday 20 September, participants can take part in a practical workshop exploring how to restore and care for soil, and why it’s vital for healthy ecosystems.

Week 3 runs on Wednesday 01 October with Stories of Biodiversity – raising awareness of the ecological and biodiversity crisis, and exploring how the Garnock Valley can build resilience. The practical workshop on Saturday 04 October will teach techniques for creating biodiverse gardens, planting native species, and maintaining wildlife-friendly spaces. This workshop is also open to children aged 5+.

Week 4: Stories of Energy

Wednesday 15 October – Seminar (7–9pm), Geilsland Estate
 This week’s seminar explores Scotland’s remarkable transition to renewable energy. Electricity generation from renewables has grown substantially over the past decade, and the key now to this movement is designing an energy transition for both people and the planet. Our speakers will consider different transition pathways, renewable energy sources, and how we can adopt a whole-systems approach to change.

Saturday 18 October – Practical Workshop (10am–2pm)
In this hands-on session, participants will examine pioneering renewable energy projects in the Garnock Valley and beyond. Using the Geilsland Estate as a case study, we’ll explore wind, solar, and biomass technologies – asking how they work, what makes them suitable for the Scottish landscape, and how communities can harness them for a sustainable future.

Week 5: Stories of Restoration

Wednesday 22 October – Seminar (7–9pm), Geilsland Estate
 Restoring the land also restores us. This seminar brings together stories of ecological restoration across the Garnock Valley and wider region. Speakers, including Peter Livingstone, will discuss the principles of environmental restoration, the interdependence of land and people, and the projects shaping a healthier future for our local landscapes.

Saturday 25 October – Practical Workshop (10am–2pm, Venue TBC)
 Led by Peter Livingstone, this session offers a chance to engage directly with restoration work already underway in the Garnock Valley. Participants will learn practical techniques for re-vegetating, maintaining, and monitoring restored sites and woodlands. Through walking the land and interactive activities, this workshop builds hands-on skills in supporting ecological recovery.

Week 6: Stories of Collaboration

Wednesday 29 October – Seminar (7–9pm), Geilsland Estate
 The final week focuses on the power of collaboration. Drawing inspiration from natural systems, we’ll explore how communities in the Garnock Valley can work together to address future challenges and co-create solutions. This seminar is an opportunity to reflect on lessons from the whole Grounded in Garnock programme and to begin shaping new community-led environmental initiatives.

Whether you’re a community member, educator, business leader, or artist, this session is a space to share ideas and develop actionable proposals for the Garnock Valley’s sustainable future. Together, we’ll begin writing new stories of collaboration.

Whether you join one session or all six weeks, you’ll gain knowledge, practical skills, and a fresh perspective on the living systems around us.

Tickets & info

Beith Trust Awards & AGM 101221 Save the DATE

Beith Trust AGM

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Empowering Our Community: A Look Back and the Road Ahead

Join us as we reflect on a powerful year of community-led action and look ahead to what’s next. From supporting families and running youth projects to growing our social enterprises, everything we do is rooted in Beith and led by you.

If you live in KA14 or KA15, you can help shape our future by voting and standing for the board.

Let’s celebrate our community, share ideas, and build what comes next – together.

#BeithTrust #AGM2025 #CommunityLed #GarnockValley #NorthAyrshire

Our Year in Review – At Beith Trust, this past year has been all about people, place, and purpose.

We’ve seen our community step up and stand together — whether it was through volunteering time, sharing ideas, or simply showing up for each other. We launched new ventures like Beith Hive, expanded Geilsland Enterprise, and made significant strides toward a more sustainable and resilient Beith, including the installation of a community-owned renewable energy system.

We provided childcare and creative play to support working families, ran holiday programmes to keep kids active and connected, and continued to tackle food insecurity, social isolation, and wellbeing head-on through projects like Free Food Friday and Lend an Ear.

From the Astro pitch to the woodland paths, from growing spaces to governance meetings, we’ve been inspired by the energy, ideas, and commitment of the people of Beith.

It hasn’t always been easy, but together, we’ve kept moving forward.

People

As we look to the future, our focus remains on sustainable growth and development. Our upcoming projects aim to further invest in people, places, and businesses, strengthening the fabric of our community. We’re exploring innovative ways to enhance community spaces, support local entrepreneurship, and increase youth participation.

Place

Geilsland Estate, Beith Astro, and our growing town centre presence have continued to thrive as spaces for community life. We’ve invested in making these places greener, more welcoming, and more useful — from play and sport to food growing and events. These shared spaces aren’t just backdrops; they’re the setting for connection, activity, and possibility.

Purpose

Our purpose remains simple and powerful: to make Beith a better place to live, work, and grow. Every project, conversation, and investment this year has been rooted in community needs and ambition. By supporting wellbeing, reducing poverty, and building opportunity, we’re helping shape a future that’s fairer, greener, and led by the people who live here.

AGM Invite

AGM Agenda

AGM 2024 Mins

Join Us – Become a Member

Nominate a Member to the Board of Directors

Trustees Annual Report 2024

Beith Trust Accounts YE 31/03/2024

Being a Charity Trustee

Directors’ Code of Conduct

Join Beith Trust

Empowering our community – A look back over 2023 and the road ahed
Become a member
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Autistically Scott – Autism Awareness

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On Thursday, September 19th, staff members from Beith Trust and other local organisations, including Yellow Brick Road Early Years Centre, gathered at Geilsland Estate for an insightful Autism awareness course hosted by Scott Nelson from Autistically Scott UK. The session provided valuable perspectives on neurodiversity and Autism, aiming to foster better understanding and support for Autistic individuals and children locally.

Scott Nelson’s approach to training shifts away from the traditional, observational models used by non-autistic professionals. He aims to create spaces where Autistic individuals feel safe and free to be themselves, helping them thrive in environments that support their unique needs. Scott emphasised the importance of adopting neuro-affirming approaches, allowing Autistic people to flourish in their own ways rather than forcing them to meet neuronormative standards.

He also discussed his desire to see more Autistic professionals involved in decision-making processes that impact the community, highlighting the value of lived experiences in improving services and policies.

This training session was part of Beith Hive Childcare, a subsidiary of Beith Trust, commitment to addressing the local community’s needs. Since taking over the Beith Hive after-school service in 2022, Beith Trust has worked closely with partners across North Ayrshire to identify and respond to gaps in services, including cross-sector training. The Hive, now a fully registered service as of 2023/24, offers a range of programs, including after-school care, holiday clubs, and community engagement activities, all designed to provide safe, nurturing spaces for children and families.

The event was a resounding success, offering new insights and practical strategies to enhance support for Autistic individuals across various sectors. It’s a vital step towards building a more inclusive and understanding community, and we’re looking forward to future collaborations and training opportunities!

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DTAS Visit to Beith Trust

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On Tuesday, August 27th, Beith Community Development Trust had the pleasure of hosting a group of visitors from the Development Trusts Association Scotland (DTAS) as part of their Annual Conference study visits. The day was spent showcasing the exciting progress our Trust has made over the years in improving employability, fostering social investment, and enhancing the overall well-being of our community here in Beith.

Visitors were introduced to the transformation of Geilsland Estate, including our partnership with Mocha Jaks, a local family-run business, that the Trust has helped with kitchen renovations, and capital and large equipment investments. It was a great opportunity to highlight how social investment can allow small businesses to reach new heights and flourish.

Our Enterprise Manager, Michelle Doherty, CEO Jane Lamont, and Projects Manager Aileen Miller led the day’s events, offering insightful talks and engaging Q&A sessions. They shared the Trust’s journey, outlining key strategies for community development and offering valuable advice to other charities and emerging development workers. 

The site tour and Q&A proved to be the day’s highlights, leaving our guests inspired and excited for future opportunities. It was a successful event, and we are already looking forward to hosting more visits like this in the future! If you or your organisation are looking for a new space to showcase your events, keynote speakers, or corporate events; Geilsland Estate could be the perfect place for you. 

Browse our amenities and spaces on our website here: https://geilsland.com/book-a-space/
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STEPS to Excellence - draft poster (Instagram Post)

Congratulations to our Activate graduates!

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Congratulations to our latest Activate Graduates!

STEPS to Excellence - draft poster (Instagram Post)

We couldn’t be more thrilled to congratulate the most recent graduates of our Activate course, run in partnership with the University of Glasgow! 🎉 It’s been an incredible journey for this group, and we’re so proud of everything they’ve achieved.

For those unfamiliar, Activate is an accredited course designed for active individuals in their communities. It provides the chance to reflect on what you do and why you do it, explore different approaches to community work, and help sustain the organisations, networks, and initiatives that make a real difference. Most importantly, the course empowers participants to increase community participation – something we’re all passionate about!

At the recent graduation ceremony held at the University of Glasgow, we celebrated the hard work and dedication of these inspiring individuals. Special congratulations to Irene MacDuff, one of our fantastic graduates, who’s been accepted into the University of Glasgow’s Community Learning and Development degree course! We’re so excited to see what she accomplishes next and know she’ll continue to be a force for good in the community. 🌟

If reading this has sparked an interest, you’ll be happy to know that our next Activate course kicks off in February 2025! To learn more, mark your calendars for our information session on Monday, 27th January 2025, at 10:30am at Geilsland Estate. This is the perfect opportunity to find out if Activate is the right fit for you.

Once again, congratulations to all our graduates! We can’t wait to see how you continue to make an impact in your communities.

Stay amazing,

The Beith Trust Team

Summer Camp 2024

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As the sun sets on another fantastic year of our summer camp, we’d love to reflect on the amazing memories made over the past four weeks. Our camp was buzzing with excitement as the children immersed themselves in a variety of activities that kept them engaged, entertained, and enriched throughout their summer break.

From the creative arts and crafts sessions to vibrant painting projects (our beautiful banner is shown above!) the kids had a blast expressing their artistic talents. Bracelet making was a favourite, with colourful creations decorating wrists all around camp. Our little gardeners enjoyed tending to plants, learning about nature, and getting their hands dirty in the most delightful way.

Sports activities were a big hit, with friendly competitions and games that got everyone moving and cheering. Music days brought joy and rhythm to our camp, as the children explored different instruments and enjoyed sing-alongs and a fantasic surprise performance from the Garnock Valley Pipes and Drums. Outdoor fun was a staple, with plenty of games and activities that made the most of the summer weather.

We extend a heartfelt thank you to Tesco for their generous funding, which allowed us to provide healthy snacks and drinks, keeping our campers energised and refreshed. A big shoutout to Café Solace in Kilbirnie for the delicious sandwiches that kept us all happy and full – your support was truly invaluable.

Our gratitude goes out to our incredible summer camp staff and volunteers. Your dedication, hard work, and enthusiasm ensured that the kids were busy, happy, and safe throughout the camp. You made each day special and your efforts did not go unnoticed.

As we pack away the last of the art supplies and sports equipment, we’re already looking forward to next year’s adventures. Thank you to everyone who made this summer camp a memorable and successful one. See you all next year!

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Arts and crafts fun

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Help shape the future of Oor’s Park!

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Beith Trust, alongside New Practice, Beith Playpark Action Group, Fun Time Carnival, and Beith & District Community Council, are conducting a feasibility study for Orr’s Park in Beith, and we need your input! Your feedback is crucial in helping us understand how the community views the park as it stands now and how we can improve it for future use.

As a central part of Beith town, we want this space to be as enjoyable, flexible, and inviting as possible for all our community members. Across the years Oor’s Park has been utilised as a funfair space, football grounds, open days, and festivals, and we’d like to know what you think the park could become in the future. Do you imagine an accessible space for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy? A sheltered seating area for people to enjoy a picnic or a cup of coffee with friends? Or a greener space with a stronger eco-system and more natural elements? 

Whatever your ideas, thoughts, or opinions, we want to hear them! Participating in this study couldn’t be easier; you can either complete the online form available here to tell us your ideas and thoughts. Additionally, if you’re attending the St Innan’s Day celebrations in Beith this Saturday, June 22nd, we will have a stall at the Beith Community Centre car park where we can provide more information and you can chat with us in person about your ideas.

Your responses will provide valuable insights into the current state of the park and suggest potential enhancements, and we are inviting everyone and anyone to have their say!

We appreciate your time and effort in helping us make Orr’s Park a better place for everyone. Thank you for your participation!

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Beith Hive Childcare – Have your say In a new childcare service in the Garnock Valley

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At Beith Hive Childcare Ltd, we’re constantly striving to provide the best support for working parents and carers in the Garnock Valley. That’s why we’re excited to share our plans for a potential new drop-off and pick-up service across the Garnock Valley towns.

Based within Beith Primary, Beith Hive Childcare Ltd already offers a range of regular and ad hoc childcare solutions. But we’re keen to expand our services further, providing even more flexibility and convenience for local families.

The proposed service would see children dropped off and picked up directly from their schools, streamlining the childcare process for busy parents and carers. But before we move forward, we need your input.

Your feedback is invaluable in helping us understand the demand for this service and tailor it to meet your needs. By sharing your thoughts and preferences, you’ll play a vital role in shaping this idea.

To gather this essential feedback, we’ve created a short survey designed to capture your thoughts. We encourage you to take a few moments to complete the survey and share it with your freinds, coworkers, and family.

Together, we can create a childcare service that works for everyone. 

If you have any questions, comments, or perspectives to share, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!

Training Opportunities

Training Opportunities at Beith Trust

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In our ongoing commitment to fostering safer and more informed communities, we are delighted to announce a series of upcoming training sessions covering a range of vital topics. From safeguarding vulnerable people to sharpening your social media game, these sessions are designed to equip attendees with valuable skills and knowledge. Here’s a quick overview of what’s on offer:

 

  1. Domestic Abuse Awareness

   Date: Wednesday 29th May

   Time: 6pm – 8pm

   Entry: Free

 

  1. Child Protection Training

   Date: Wednesday, July 3rd

   Time: 6pm – 8pm

   Entry: Free

 

  1. Adult Protection Training

   Date: Wednesday, June 12th

   Time: 6pm – 8pm

   Entry: Free

 

  1. Basic Social Media Training

   Date: Wednesday, June 5th

   Time: 6pm – 8pm

   Entry: Free

 

  1. Elementary Food Hygiene

   Date: Tuesday, June 11th

   Time: 6pm – 8pm

   Cost: £5 per ticket

 

  1. Mental Health First-Aid

   Date: Wednesday. 28th August

   Time: 9:30am – 4:30pm

   Cost: £5 per ticket

 

These sessions are not just opportunities for personal development; they play a crucial role in building safer, more supportive environments for everyone in our community. Whether you’re interested in deepening your understanding of safeguarding protocols, improving your understanding of social media, or gaining practical skills like food hygiene, there’s something here for everyone.

Attendance is open to all, so whether you’re a concerned citizen, a community worker, or simply keen to broaden your skill set, we welcome you to join us. Please note that while most sessions are free, there is a small fee for the food hygiene and mental health first-aid sessions to cover materials and resources.

Spaces are limited, so be sure to secure your place early to avoid disappointment. Let’s come together to empower ourselves and our communities through education and awareness!

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Harnessing Sunshine Beith Trust's Journey with Solar Power

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At Beith Trust, we’ve always been committed to creating a greener, more sustainable future for our community. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce the latest addition to our eco-friendly initiatives: solar panels! Thanks to generous funding from EB Scotland and Local Energy Scotland, we’ve been able to turn our vision of harnessing solar energy into a reality.

These solar panels aren’t just about generating green energy; they represent Beith Trust’s dedication to becoming a hub for green activities and keeping our business as eco-friendly as possible. With this new addition, we’re already taking our sustainability efforts up a notch!

Going solar was not a difficult decision for us to come to. It’s in line with our values and offers practical benefits like reducing our carbon footprint and saving on energy costs. By helping us to achieve this new change, our funders have empowered us to turn our green aspirations into realities and helped us to make a tangible difference in our community.

But we’re not stopping there: as we embark on this new chapter in our sustainability journey, we invite you to join us. Whether you’re a supporter of Beith Trust, a member of the local community, or simply passionate about environmental conservation, there’s a role we can all play in making our community greener.

We’d once again like to extend our gratitude and thanks to the wonderful EB Scotland and Local Energy Scotland for making this happen and helping us to improve Geilsland’s green-mission.

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