CalMac support extends hours for Ayrshire specialist childcare

A community-based specialist 1-to-1 childcare support service for young people with additional support needs is being expanded, thanks to an award from CalMac's new Community Fund.

Ayrshire Children's Services CIC, based in Ardrossan, is using the award to offer more support sessions for young people with autistic spectrum conditions or disabilities.  The new sessions will focus on providing breakfast clubs in the morning and on activities for teenagers in the evening.

Project leader, Marianne Greenway said: 'We are so grateful to Calmac for their support to help us provide breakfast clubs and activity evenings it really will make a difference.'

Picture shows: Ayrshire Children's Services CIC representatives pick up their Community Fund cheque.

CalMac's Community Fund is open to non-profit organisations involved in activities that will benefit young people aged 26 and under from island or coastal communities the company supports. So far the Fund has supported 39 projects across west coast communities.

'The response since we made the first round of awards earlier in the year has been fantastic. We are already seeing the awards put to good use in the Western Isles and I'm delighted that we are able to help benefit this very specific group in Ayrshire. This type of support is so important in helping young people living with these conditions play a full role in their local community,' said CalMac's Director of Community and Stakeholder Engagement, Brian Fulton.

Each application was judged by a screening panel of young people recruited from across the company's network, in partnership with Young Scot. Last year CalMac's 33-strong fleet carried more than 5.3 million passengers and 1.4 million vehicles to 50 ports and slipways on island and remote mainland locations.

Other successful projects in the Firth of Clyde area include Cumbrae Community Radio in support of their Broadcasting Production Primary Education project and Dunoon Burgh Hall Trust's Creative Saturday's project. On Arran Corrie Primary Parent Council received an award for their Swimming for Life project, as did Arran Theatre and Arts Trust's Wee Mac Arran Children's Book Festival. Back on the mainland Gourock Golf Club and Royal Gourock Yacht Club are also being supported.