6 Projects Funded
Browse all the community projects we've supported. Each one represents your contribution to making Helensburgh better.
New Way IT Equipment Upgrade
New Way
New Way is a thriving charity based in Helensburgh. Our premises are located in the town centre and we provide a wide range of support, including counselling, peer befriending, group support, volunteering opportunity, training opportunity and more, to people with alcohol and other substance use related issues, their families, and young people impacted by alcohol and other substance use. Our charity has gone from strength to strength and we are now busier than we've ever been. Our IT equipment is outdated and we're now struggling to cope at times with the level of work expected of a busier and more diverse environment. Our IT equipment is basic and was suitable for the charity work in the past when we had a reduced and not so diverse workload. For example, we are now using IT equipment which is designed for basic admin to produce video content, leaflets and posters, music, workshops and to store ever increasing data which is required to be kept securely. At present our IT equipment can slow down work progress which contributes to lost time for our already very busy and dedicated team of workers and we believe this is of detriment to our clients and the efficiency of the organisation. New and upgraded IT equipment will improve efficiency, giving back vital time to workers with an ever increasing client base. We will be applying for match funding from both the ACHA and Dunbritton Community Action funds.
Supporting 130 beneficiaries
Running Costs
Gareloch Group, Riding for the Disabled Association SCIO
Gareloch RDA was founded in 1976. We are a registered charity and affiliated to RDA National. We cater for adults, children and young people, and currently have over 50 riders and drivers with a wide range of physical and/or learning disabilities. We are based in Helensburgh at Colgrain Equestrian Centre for carriage driving and Ardencaple Livery Yard for everything else. We run many sessions each week at various times of the day and our dedicated group of volunteers are always on hand to help. Gareloch RDA is an inclusive and diverse organisation. We welcome clients with physical and learning disabilities and autism. We have no age restrictions, everyone is welcome to attend regardless of age or ability. The positive benefits of animals in therapy sessions are well documented. All our ponies and horses are very gentle and extremely patient which makes our sessions ideal for individuals with additional support needs. Improvements are noted in muscle tone, posture, motor skills, increased confidence, making friends, positive responsibility and learning how to work as part of a team. To ensure cost is not a barrier to anyone wishing to attend we provide all equipment required. We are seeking assistance with our annual running costs for 2026/2027. Income from sessions only covers around one third of our annual total running costs. Based on our most recent accounts we were required to secure £40,952 from other sources. We had a shortfall of £3,587 which was covered by reserves.
Supporting 120 beneficiaries
Animal Magic
Helensburgh and District Branch of Enable
Helensburgh and District Branch of Enable is a bi-weekly club for adults with Learning Disabilities. It provides social interaction and stimulating activities. It helps to reduce isolation and promotes social inclusion. It is run entirely by volunteers from our community. We provide many different activities suited to our members needs and preferences. Several of our members have expressed an interest in activities with animals. There is extensive evidence based research which shows that interaction with animals benefits emotional, social and even physical well being. Evidence shows that there is an increase release in endorphins and oxytocin promoting physical and mental well-being. It also reduces anxiety and stress. In addition to these benefits an animal therapy session would provide stimulation and facilitate communication skills. Our plan is to arrange one or two sessions with an established and reputable animal therapy organisation that meets necessary health and safety requirements and is fully insured. On completion of the session members would be encouraged to reflect on the session in appropriate ways such as the use of story boards, crafts and verbal feedback. Volunteers would gather feedback and use this to inform future activities. We currently have around 30 members. Through this activity we aim to promote well-being, encourage positive social interaction and reduce physical and emotional isolation for vulnerable individuals in our community.
Supporting 30 beneficiaries
Jean's Bothy podcast
Enable
Jean's Bothy is a mental health & wellbeing hub based in Helensburgh open to members who are over 16, living in Helensburgh & Lomond. It's free to join and we welcome anyone who would like to improve their mental health & wellbeing. A range of activities, groups and opportunities are open to members including art, sewing, woodcraft, fitness, writing, counselling, gardening, mindfulness and one-off taster sessions such as sound baths; reiki; trips to exhibitions, places of interest and a monthly book club, film club and even karaoke! Last October we launched our own podcast as part of Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival. We were able to record an initial 6 episodes and have since recorded another 6 episodes this year. They all fit with the theme Comfort & Disturb and include topics such as nature, OCD, ME, photography, Mums and many more. One of our members spoke about his experience of restraint due to his mental health. A number of universities are now interested in using this episode to inform and help teach their students. We would love to continue our podcast for the next year and require funding to record and edit these to ensure we continue to provide interesting and accessible content to our members and the public. This podcast aims to education and raise awareness of living with mental health challenges, as well as having a positive impact on the member involved and empowering them to have their voice heard. Every time an episode is launched we also have a screening within Jean's Bothy to allow members to watch in company and have a discussion relevant to the topic it covers. The initial series resulted in some fascinating discussions and we are really keen to continue this moving forward. With a budget to cover the year ahead we could record another 40 episodes.
Supporting 60 beneficiaries
Wellness for all: A mentally healthier community
Jean's Bothy (ENABLE Scotland)
Our project aims to support anyone living in Helensburgh & Lomond over aged 16 to access wellbeing activities to boost mental & physical fitness. Jean's Bothy has had over 400 members join since 2018 and membership continues to grow rapidly. We create a safe and confidential environment to explore ways to support and manage your wellness, ensuring you remain well, and develop tools and techniques to support yourself. We operate a Peer Support model where members support and encourage each other. Building skills, increasing confidence and raising self esteem are all ways in which we can improve our own wellbeing and with the support of Jean's Bothy we can build a mentally healthier community, to live, work and play in. Having an asset such as Jean's Bothy in the heart of the community is vital to ensuring people don't need to wait to crisis point before getting support. Membership is free reducing any financial barriers to joining, and we run on a donation basis so if people can they do, and if they can't they can still access the support. We also value skills, willingness to get involved and time from our members which feeds the ethos of equality. This project would cover the costs to offer activities which encourage fitness and yoga along with cold water swimming. It will also include setting personal goals and working towards them, recognising a sense of achievement is a great boost to our wellbeing.
Supporting 250 beneficiaries
Your Space
Helensburgh & Lomond Carers SCIO
Provides 12-week blocks of Tai Chi, Yoga, and gym sessions for unpaid adult carers. Prior support from Shared Care Scotland ended; the group seeks continuing funding to run these health/wellbeing classes. This benefits ~92 people (in total across the blocks). The group also invests in local venues/businesses for these sessions.
Supporting 92 beneficiaries
Have a Project That Needs Funding?
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