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/
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.
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!
Arts and crafts fun
A very serious game of uno!
Our little green thumbed helpers
Swingball!
Colouring in
Our sports day winners
Very intense bracelet making session!
Messy art fun
How many little humans can we fit in one hula-hoop?
Another serious uno game with background music provided!
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!
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!
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:
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!
In a heartwarming gesture of community support, Persimmon Homes has contributed a very generous £5,000 donation to Beith Trust’s volunteer-managed project; Garnock Valley Helping Hands. This contribution, which was made through Persimmon’s Community Champions scheme; supporting charities and good causes in areas where the homebuilder operates, will further enhance the project’s mission to provide essential support to families in need within the Garnock Valley.
Garnock Valley Helping Hands is an exceptional volunteer-led project that focuses on recycling baby and toddler clothes, toys, and childcare necessities and gifting them to vulnerable families in the Garnock Valley. Operated by dedicated volunteers, the project aims to alleviate financial burdens on families by offering these items free of charge.
“It’s an absolute pleasure to be able to be back and see that not only has Helping Hands grown and gained a reputation, but they’re even better established to be organised for this year’s event.” Anthea Dickson, SNP councillor for Garnock Valley, commented.
“I remember when Helping Hands first started, it started off about three years ago and it was a single Facebook post, and the support that has built up over the past three years has been absolutely fantastic.” Margaret Johnson, SNP Councillor for Garnock Valley added.
The £5,000 donation from Persimmon Homes will significantly develop the impact of Helping Hands in the Garnock Valley community. The funds will be used to expand the project’s reach, ensuring that more families in need can benefit from the provision of essential items for their children.
“The Garnock Valley Helping Hands project makes a real difference to hundreds of local families in need and we’re delighted to be able to support their efforts with this donation.” Chris Logan, Persimmon West Scotland Managing Director, stated, “We want to support the communities we operate in and whether it’s through their Christmas toy drive or the help they offer all year round, I hope the donation will allow the group to reach even more families across Garnock Valley.”
Garnock Valley Helping Hands encourages individuals and businesses alike to join the cause, either through volunteerism or additional contributions. Together, we can continue making a positive difference in the lives of families in the Garnock Valley.
Are you struggling with life’s challenges? Remember, you are Not Alone. There is help and advice available.
Times are tough but you’re Not Alone!
Beith Trust has a range of community support services aimed to assist you in various aspects of life.
Get Expert Help with Finance, Debt, and More at the Citizens Advice Centre
Confidential financial and welfare support is available. Reach out for personalised face-to-face or phone consultations.
Lend an Ear: Weekly Telephone Befriending Services in Beith
Feeling isolated? Enjoy a friendly weekly call and become part of our monthly High Tea Club at the Eglinton Inn.
Garnock Valley Helping Hands: Parenting Support and Supplies
New parent or caregiver? We provide essential supplies for your new baby or young children.
The Chit Chat Club at Beith Community Centre
Looking for a sense of community? Join us every Friday at 12 pm for food, friends, and chat. Free food when available!
Unlock Your Full Potential with Our Personal Development Programmes
Take part in classes, courses, and volunteering opportunities to improve both your mental and physical well-being, at whatever rate suits your learning style and level of confidence.