Three Towns youth group receives lottery funding
The Three Towns Locality team has helped Hayocks Community Association to receive an almost £20,000 funding boost.
Received via the National Lottery Community Benefit Fund, the £19,225 boost has been secured to provide the weekly Hayocks Youth Cafe group and its hot meals provision during the weekly youth club.
Funded in partnership with North Ayrshire Council, The National Lottery, and KA:Leisure, the youth café takes place every Thursday at Hayocks Community Hall between 6pm and 8pm.
Their project ties directly into the locality priorities for the Three Towns to increase civic pride, encourage community engagement and boost overall wellbeing.
For young people aged 11+, it is being run to provide a safe and inclusive space for health, wellbeing and cyber activities with free hot meals and snacks provided.
Part of the council’s Community Learning and Development team, the Three Towns Community Development Worker supporting the project, Graham Hunter said: “We are delighted to have recently helped Hayocks Community Association to apply for National Lottery funding to achieve their aspirations for this thriving community café for young people.
“Our team will continue to support them by providing an action-packed schedule of youth work activities alongside our partner K:A Leisure. Over the summer there will be football and fitness coaching and plans are already underway for health and wellbeing dance and movement sessions.
“There is also an opportunity for the young people aged between 11 and 16 years old to take part in the Cyber First youth work programme Cyber Explorers via the youth group.
“So, if sports aren’t your thing, you can get involved in this to play retro games and gain a qualification that centres around cyber safety and digital careers. There’s something here for everyone.”
The idea for the specific youth group came from the CLD Locality Team and the project has been set up in partnership with Hayocks Community Association and Hayocks Tenants and Residents Association.
Quote: The impact that the Community Association is making is tremendous. Well done to everyone involved in securing this significant National Lottery funding. It is brilliant to see the fantastic collaboration between them, the Three Towns Locality Partnership and local partners to alleviate poverty and empower residents of all ages.
Quote from: Councillor Alan Hill, Cabinet Member for Communities and Islands
Dawn Hogg, Anti-Poverty Manager at Hayocks Community Association, explains: “Many of the young people and families in the surrounding area are impacted as the Cost-of-Living Crisis rages on, this is why the sustainability of our new youth group is vital as we are passionate about lightening the load and alleviating the challenges of rising costs.
“The recent funding boost from The National Lottery is a huge win for us to help to support some of our most vulnerable residents, providing the funds needed for the meals we’re providing over the next two years.
“Not only is it going to help us grow and provide opportunities for young people to thrive, it will also be one less meal to worry about each week for families who may be struggling.
“Thank you to North Ayrshire Council, KA:Leisure and the Three Towns Locality team for their continued support in helping us to identify funding streams and for their ongoing commitment the Hayocks Youth Café and Community Hall.”
Offering signposting to support and training opportunities, Dawn’s team also operate the Tap End community food larder from the community centre – part of the council’s Fairer Food Network, where members who are facing food insecurities can access their weekly grocery shopping at a subsidised cost.
Mary Frew, Hayocks Community Association Chair, added: “We are over the moon at the recent funding boost.
“We’re only two weeks in to providing the meals at the youth group and the young people are loving it. We’ve had a fantastic turnout with between 25 and 25 youngsters attending weekly so far, and we are optimistic for the future.
“If you are a young person aged 11+ and want to meet new friends, take part in exciting activities and enjoy a relaxed meal with us each Thursday, why not come along?”
Keep up to date with what is happening at Hayocks Community Centre by following their Facebook page
Please note: Re-established since 2021, Hayocks Community Association (formerly known as North Stevenston Community Association) helps to run a host of community groups. Operating from Hayocks Community Centre, local groups include mother and toddler groups, over 50’s, knitting and dancing, however the volunteers recognised a gap in the provision available for young people. This is why the youth café has been established.
Published: 22 May 2025