Route 81
Route 81 was formed over 20 years ago. We offer young people a safe space, where trusting, supportive relationships can be built, opportunities to develop new skills can be accessed, horizons can be broadened and potential fulfilled.
The Sessional Worker funded by Supporting Communities Fund enabled us to deliver 49 Friday Night Youth Sessions, 33 Planning Sessions/Project Nights and 7 Outings providing stability within our busy youth programme. The sessional worker had many years ago came through Route 81 as a young person, therefore had a lot of experience and passion for the delivery of the youth programme.
Tiree Makery
Tiree Makery is a new arts space in the Isle of Tiree. We aim to develop a programme of year round creative activity, with a multi-functional project space and shop. We will deliver workshops, exhibitions and events, supporting artists to sell their work and engage with the community of Tiree. We have just set up as a community interest company, whose activities will provide benefit to the local community of Tiree, providing a broad range of art opportunities and experiences to children and adults, and supporting individuals who pursue a creative practice in Tiree.
‘We successfully met and exceeded the aims of the project. Through Our Creative Community, we worked with young people and older members of the community, many of whom are at risk of social isolation. Participants engaged in a wide range of creative activities including screen printing, watercolour painting, embroidery, bookmaking, drawing and marbling, all delivered in a supportive and inclusive environment. Due to careful management of resources — including underspend on materials and in-kind contributions to coordination — we were able to deliver two additional sessions beyond those originally planned. These sessions were consistently oversubscribed, demonstrating strong demand and engagement’.
Bendoran Watersports CIC
Bendoran Watersports is a social enterprise that provides watersports for the local community with the aim of improving emotional and physical wellbeing of local people and also a tourism resource that provides guided sea kayaking trips for the visitor market during the season.
The project was really successful. The 3 main activities delivered were:
School Sessions for Bunessan Primary - we did 10 free sessions for Bunessan Primary and also did free session for Iona Primary School and subsidised sessions for Ulva Primary and Lochdonhead Primary.
We ran an Open Day for all people of the Ross of Mull and Iona which was attended by around 100 people.
We ran 15 Learn to Sail programme sessions for teenagers and adults as a club in the evenings which was attended by adults and teenagers.
Campbeltown Picture House (Campbeltown Community Business)
Originally built in 1913, Campbeltown Picture House is a Grade A listed building. Having undergone a refurbishment and restoration CPH reopened in 2017 and is now operating as a community cinema. We run an annual ‘Cans Film Festival’ during which customers can ‘pay’ for their ticket for the films with a donation for the Kintyre Food Bank. The funding paid for the tickets for the screenings.
We ran six Food Bank Benefit Screenings. The aim was two-fold, firstly to provide stock to the food bank and secondly to provide a very cheap way for people to come to the cinema to see the latest films. Our application stated that we would provide 4 screenings but we were able to recalculate as we went on to provide six in total. We wanted to provide a wide range of films so included ones that would suit different demographics. The Food Bank Screenings are always really popular and this was no exception.
Live Music Now Scotland
Live Music Now Scotland’s activities are focused on the provision of high-quality participatory performances and workshops in community settings, especially for those who are normally excluded from opportunities to experience live music through ill health, disability, isolation or poverty. Our musicians have been specially auditioned, trained and supported to work in community settings, including for those with dementia, and are emerging specialists in using music to engage people who may be cut off from the pleasures of participating and sharing with others.
Our seven one-hour performances demonstrated the value of high-quality live music for residents, staff, and visiting families across six care homes in Argyll and Bute. While brief, the sessions showed positive effects on emotional wellbeing, social engagement, confidence, and physical activity, particularly for older people living with dementia and other complex needs. They also allowed staff to witness firsthand the benefits of live music, helping to build support for future creative activities.
Residents who were initially quiet or withdrawn became more responsive, lifting mood and creating moments of joy. Staff highlighted calmness, sustained engagement, and improvements in emotional expression. Music evoked memories and personal histories, helping residents express themselves and reconnect with past identities.
Cormonachan Community Woodlands
Cormonachan Community Woodlands conserves, protects, develops and manages the woodlands for the benefit of the Loch Goil community and visitors.
An application was submitted to Argyll and Bute Supporting Communities Fund for the delivery of an “Escape the Forest” family adventure day, based on local mythology and fairytales. Families found themselves magically transported to Tìr nan Òg, the fairy kingdom, where they had to decipher ancient clues, solve fiendish puzzles, and traverse treacherous terrain in order to return to the human world and safety. Each family group received an ‘equipment bundle’ with materials needed to navigate and solve the challenges. Clues were scattered throughout the woodland trails, requiring families to explore different areas. They included solving riddles, decoding messages on posts and trees, and interacting with the environment to reveal hidden information. The activity combined the thrill of solving puzzles with the enchantment of the natural environment, offering a unique and memorable adventure for all ages.
Achievement Bute
Achievement Bute is a not-for-profit organisation based in Rothesay on the Isle of Bute, organizing activities and events for all children and young people on the island, no matter their circumstances. Also providing support to those who need it so everyone can participate equally in activities of their choice.
‘With the support of Argyll and Bute Council’s Supporting Communities Fund we provided a tutor, transport and materials to support the provision of a child-led programme of heritage and history based outdoor activities.
Our original aim was to build on the success of previous work to offer children opportunities during school holidays to investigate, explore and interpret local landmarks/buildings and/or sites of historical interest.
We worked with volunteers from the Bute Museum and Ardencraig Gardens Friends Group, together with a local historian/archaeologist and freelance drama tutor and we created a unique, educational immersive experience celebrating the history of Ardencraig Gardens.
Free minibus transport was included (with a wheelchair adapted minibus) to ensure equality of access and no charge was made for the activities.’
Cowal Community Orchestra
The orchestra is all about playing music for the enjoyment of the members and local community groups.
The grant helped purchase new music for the orchestra and toward Musical Direction.
‘We played in Oban for the Ukrainian Refugees event and also in Dunoon too. One of our new members is Ukrainian. Our youngest member has also been playing with the Nicola Benedetti Conservatoire Orchestra which is so wonderful for a 12 year old. The Christmas Choir concert in Dunoon Burgh Hall was a great example of cross musical talents coming together to have a fun evening for the community. We also attend Burns Suppers to assist with tradition music too. We also busk in the town centre during the summer months so this attracts client groups not necessarily attending concerts or organised events.’
Craignish Village Hall
Craignish Village hall is a great space for any community event, large or small.
Craignish Village Hall Arts Programme and Committee delivered 111 hours of workshops, craft and play sessions to 56 young people under 18 in the financial year 2022/23. In their rural remote location, opportunities to access creative workshops and the general arts can be very challenging for this age group and this bid sought to remove barriers of cost, travel and accessibility. The project had secured match funding and had listened to the voices of their young community. The programme included a series of led workshops during the half term and culminated in a beautiful winter lantern parade enjoyed by many families and households from a 20 mile radius.
Dochas Carer’s Centre
The Dochas Carers Centre supports Unpaid Carers throughout Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands (MAKI) and is a major contributor in preventative care.
This project, to further develop their befrienders service, delivered very good value for money by working with local partners and businesses. The ‘Circle of Friends’ co-ordinator has continued to support and expand the number of volunteer befrienders over the course of the project. The number of befriender and befriendee services was increased within the duration of the project from 24 to 29. They used the goodwill of the local businesses and Mid Argyll Transport volunteers to bring befrienders and befriendees together over 3 events which were enjoyed by all and provided opportunity to further consult with this vulnerable group.
‘Thanks to the funding from the council, we provided First Aid and Fire Safety training that was accessed by volunteer befrienders. So it helped to increase their self confidence in undertaking their volunteer role with befriendees.’
The Helensburgh Tree Conservation Trust
The Trust promotes the maintenance, conservation and sustainable management of the treescape of Helensburgh for the public benefit and in particular with special emphasis on the arboricultural heritage of the town.
The received funds to plant 50 carefully selected new trees in the town – to mark the Platinum Jubilee adding greenery and biodiversity.
‘The original location suggested proved impossible, therefore we planted a new avenue of 20 Golden Birch trees along East Lennox Drive. These handsome trees provide colour and stature and help HTCT to increase the range of trees within the town for bio resilience.
The project has made a great improvement to the street and provides a good exemplar for avenue trees other than Cherries that form 75% of our street trees. We have taken expert advice, encouraging us to diversify the species mix and this street is a good example of this.
The street trees help to promote a sense of well- being through their beauty, seasonal change and aesthetic qualities.’
Grey Matters Active Ageing
The organisation supports older people over the age of 60 to connect to their community and to each other. The Active Ageing Centre is at the hub of the organisation and is a one stop shop for older people living in Helensburgh and Lomond.
Grey Matters Active Ageing delivered gardening workshops and planted seeds and bulbs using tools and equipment provided by the grant.
‘Members were brought together through a shared interest, new friends and connections were made. Loneliness and Isolation was greatly reduced. It increased people’s wellbeing and improved mental health. It increased awareness about the environment. It provided members with a hobby and interest that got them out of the Covid rut they were experiencing. It gave people a sense of worth as they were able to swap hints and tips and also produce they had grown.’
Find out more about the Supporting Communities Fund and how to apply.
Did you know?
Since 2013, Argyll and Bute Council’s Supporting Communities Fund has supported over 850 community projects across Argyll & Bute including over 150 art culture and heritage projects, over 120 health and wellbeing projects and over 80 projects supporting employment.
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