Online wishlist continues to support community groups who are seeking help from Council contractors
Posted on 8 Sep 2023
Did you know that if you are a local community group you can promote your cause to our kind-hearted Council contractors who can give you a helping hand?
The Council’s Community Benefits Wish List (part of the Council’s procurement process) can be found on our Community Planning Partnership website.
Hosted on the Council’s Connected Communities website and run by the Council’s Community Benefits team, over 40 community groups have benefitted thanks to advertising their ambitions online via the Community Benefits Wish List.
It’s function is simple – it provides Third Sector groups with a secure, streamlined, online notice board where they can submit desired community wishes to the Council’s network of local public sector contractors who can then donate services or supplies as required.
A recent example of this is Dem-Master Demolition Ltd who were appointed earlier this year to manage the demolition of Irvine’s high flats in Fullarton Street.
The skyline of Irvine has already dramatically changed since work began in the Spring and now only the latter floors of the tower block are now left to come down.
A range of projects and interventions have been delivered as Dem-Masters used the community wishlist to help local primary school, Loudoun Montgomery and its Parent Council who were seeking some hands-on support for a sensory garden.
Laura Kelly from Dem-Masters shared: "We selected Loudoun Montgomery Primary School as the school is adjacent to our project, therefore, we felt that giving something back to the school was important and the community benefits wishlist made this really easy to do so."
In addition to the donation of 150 hi-vis vests for the pupils at the school, Dem-Masters supported the creation of a community garden, which the Parent Council have been planning and fundraising hard for over the last three years to bring to life.
A representative from the Parent Council said: "We would never have made the progress we have without Dem-Masters help, we’re so glad that we took the time to register our wishes using the digital application form hosted on the Wishlist website.
“The company were so friendly, helped with their expertise and managed to do an immense amount of work on the garden, digging areas, helping load sand, bark and gravel, digging up turf and laying it to create designated areas.
“Dem-Masters also donated steel benches along with £1,000 for sensory equipment and generously gave us 2 days volunteering where their experts (and diggers) came to break the initial groundworks needed. The children were so delighted to see the progress that has been made.”
Councillor Alan Hill, Cabinet Member for Communities & Islands said: “It’s brilliant to hear how well-received the Community Benefits Wishlist has been and that so many local community groups are continuing to be empowered to realise their ambitions with a little extra help from our digital wishlist network.
“The idea is that Third Sector groups, such as community associations, charities, and social enterprises, can have their wishes generously granted by Council contractors who can donate their time, products or expertise.
“It’s all part of the Council’s ambitious Community Wealth Building strategy with a focus on wellbeing and inclusion where local and direct action is being taken to reduce poverty and inequality across the region as we better our communities.”
“It also helps the groups involved to put important community projects on the radar of trusted contractors who can provide them with the additional support they need to achieve their ambitions.
“I would like to extend my thanks to all the local businesses and companies like Dem-Master who have helped to grant ‘wishes’ so far… here’s to many more!”