Locality teams in the Garnock Valley, North Coast & Cumbraes and Three Towns have helped local community organisations to secure an incredible £161,920 funding from North Ayrshire Council.

Radio City Association in Kilbirnie, Clyde Coast and Cumbraes Men’s Shed in Largs and Three Towns Growers in Ardrossan have all been approved for a windfall from the Community Investment Fund to achieve their latest community aspirations.

The Locality Partnerships, which are supported by the council’s Connected Communities team, presented the proposals at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday 6 May when the applications were unanimously approved by Elected Members and officials.

The projects support the overall work of the North Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership to improve outcomes within our communities, and also meet the individual locality needs of their respective areas.

Established in 1999, long standing community anchor organisation, Radio City Association has secured £65,000 from the council’s Community Investment Fund (CIF) and were first to receive the green light.

Run by and for the people of the Garnock Valley, the overall objectives of the independent charity are to develop the social, environmental and inclusive economic prospects of the Garnock Valley via their current Electric Valley project.

The significant boost will support the employment of a Community Development Manager and Project Manager to support Radio City’s delivery of a host of community projects with a focus on health, learning, employability, economic growth and sustainability.

It will also help to get a ground floor café up and running at Kilbirnie’s neighbouring Knox Institute.

Over in Largs, Clyde Coast and Cumbraes Men’s Shed have successful secured £47,500 CIF funding.

The funds will be used to carry out alterations to their community hub at Brisbane House – a former council venue being taken over by the charitable organisation via a Community Asset Transfer approved earlier this year.

The interior renovations will include a new spacious woodwork area, meeting room and craft room, improved storage, new toilet facilities and a new staircase with stair lift to the upper floor to make their venue accessible for all.

Anticipated to cost in the region £95,000, the CIF funding will cover half of the project costs as the charity seeks other funding avenues for the remaining balance.

Covering Largs, Skelmorlie, the Cumbraes, Fairlie, West Kilbride and Seamill, the Men’s Shed provides a relaxed environment for men to connect, boost mental health, learn new skills, make and repair things, pursue hobbies and socialise together.

Finally, registered charity Three Towns Growers have secured £49,420 for their Community Allotment at Elmpark in Ardrossan, established initially 11 years ago.

With 50 plots and 24 indoor and outdoor raised beds, their membership currently stands at 165 members. In the past year their community events and group-based programmes for schools, youth groups and older people have had an additional footfall of over 6,000 adults and children.

In addition, the growers have been working on a fruit and vegetables supply to support community food larders in the Three Towns and thanks to their own recent fundraising efforts have already raised £30,000 for the expansion of the allotments.

To further this work, Three Towns Growers will use the funding to establish a Community and Education Hub at their Community Allotment. Accessible for all, plans for the new hub will include disabled parking bays, a slabbed path, improved road access, ramp and handrails and a decking area with timber pergola.

Councillor Alan Hill, Cabinet Member for Communities, Housing and Islands said: “Congratulations to the dedicated committee members and volunteers of Radio City, Clyde Coast and Cumbraes Men’s Shed and the Three Towns Growers group.

“The latest funded projects are a brilliant example of how our Locality Planning Partnerships are working alongside communities to empower local organisations.

“Together the groups are also helping us to address key locality priorities for communities including: addressing community challenges, increasing civic pride, improving facilities and amenities and making them sustainable and most importantly helping residents to live healthier, happier, more connected lives."

Published: 16 May 2025