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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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Congratulations to our Activate graduates!

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Congratulations to our latest Activate Graduates!

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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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“Press Pause” community-led tourism workshop

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Hello Garnock Valley Community,

We’re thrilled to announce the “Press Pause” Workshop, an innovative community-led tourism initiative in Garnock Valley, hosted by SCOTO, Scotland’s premier Community Tourism Network. This event is a unique opportunity for local businesses and community groups to shape the future of tourism in Garnock Valley.

Event Details:

  • Date: Thursday, February 15th
  • Time: 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM
  • Venue: Eglinton Inn, Beith, a key location in North Ayrshire’s tourism landscape
  • Focus: Developing sustainable tourism strategies and business growth in Garnock Valley

Why Attend?

Key Topics:

  • Visitor Demographics: Understanding and attracting the right visitors to Garnock Valley
  • Local Assets: Utilizing Garnock Valley’s unique attractions and heritage
  • Branding: Creating a distinctive identity for Garnock Valley tourism
  • Sustainable Tourism: Balancing visitor needs with local community benefits

This ARIA-funded workshop promises to be an engaging and insightful event, blending expert guidance with community insights to create a roadmap for Garnock Valley’s tourism and business success.

Join Us:

  • Register: Secure your spot by filling out this registration form
  • Free Entry: No cost to attend and refreshments provided

Don’t miss this chance to contribute to Garnock Valley’s vibrant future in tourism. We look forward to welcoming you to the Eglinton Inn on February 15th!

To register please complete this registration form.

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Beith Trust’s Volunteer-Managed Project, Garnock Valley Helping Hands, Receives£5,000 Donation from Persimmon Homes

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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.

Ayrshire finalists!

Beith Trust Named Finalists in Ayrshire Business Awards 2023

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Excitement is brewing in Beith as Beith Community Development Trust has been named a finalist in the prestigious Ayrshire Business Awards 2023. Our organisation has been shortlisted for the coveted Community Award, a recognition of its unwavering commitment to fostering positive change in the Garnock Valley community. The winner will be revealed at the award ceremony set to take place at the Ayr Racecourse on October 6th, and fingers and toes are crossed in anticipation!

For the past decade, Beith Trust has been at the forefront of pioneering community-driven change in the Garnock Valley. Since its establishment in 2013, the Trust has made it its mission to drive sustainable regeneration in the region. What sets us apart is our unique approach, which focuses on investing in people, the local environment, and businesses alike.

Our philosophy is simple yet powerful: it’s not enough to make a place look better without simultaneously equipping its residents with the skills, knowledge, and resources they need to be active participants in shaping their community’s future.

Beith, like many other towns across Scotland, faced the challenges brought about by the closure of mass employment industries in the 1980s. This turbulent period left Beith grappling to redefine its identity and envision a positive future. It was in response to this very challenge that Beith Trust was born.

The founders firmly believed that Beith was a unique place with immense potential. They envisioned a vibrant and engaging community that would meet the diverse needs of its residents while embodying creativity, social inclusivity, sustainability, and progressiveness.

To make this dream a reality, Beith Trust offers a wide array of services designed to uplift the community:

  • Befriending Services: Providing companionship and support for individuals who may be experiencing loneliness or isolation.
  • Out-of-School Childcare Provision: Ensuring parents have access to reliable childcare services that align with their work schedules.
  • Family Support Services: Offering assistance to families facing various challenges, promoting a nurturing and stable environment.
  • Community Projects: Focusing on culture, heritage, nature, and play, these projects aim to enrich the lives of community members and strengthen their bond with the area.
  • Employability: Equipping individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to access meaningful employment opportunities.
  • Volunteering: Encouraging community members to actively participate in shaping their surroundings and giving back to their neighbours.
  • Child Care & Play: Providing essential childcare services while fostering a playful and supportive environment for children.

As we await the results of the Ayrshire Business Awards 2023, we’re keeping everything crossed in anticipation. This nomination is not just a recognition of our outstanding efforts but also a testament to the remarkable potential and development unfolding in Beith.

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