Accessibility tools
Powered by 
Translate
Use the boxes below to change the website colours.
Visit disclaimer page for more information about the accessibility tool.
Bench plaques help with Cost-of-Living support
Residents across North Ayrshire can now access cost-of-living support by scanning a QR code that is being installed on public benches.
A North Ayrshire Council pilot project is seeing small plaques featuring a QR code being attached to on-street benches.
When scanned, the QR code leads to the Council’s dedicated cost-of-living page, which offers residents information on support including free school meals and crisis grants.
The Streetscene team has started to attach the plaques to benches across the six localities.
Quote: As we approach 2026, there are still many people – families, young people, the elderly – who need our support. Cost of living impacts are still being felt in our communities and people are struggling to pay for essentials like food, housing and heating due to high prices. As a local authority, we are determined to continue to do whatever we can to support people so they can have at least the basic things we all need in life – and to do this with dignity. These bench plaques are another way of reaching people and offering them access to information, discretely. If you would like to find out more about what financial support is available through the Council and our partners, please scan the QR code if you see it while you are out and about.
Quote from: Marie Burns, Leader of North Ayrshire Council
The plaques have already been installed on street, park and beach benches at different sites in areas including Irvine, Dreghorn, Kilwinning, Stevenston, Saltcoats, Dalry and Lochshore Park in Beith. Residents will see more appearing in the coming weeks.
Published: 18 December 2025