7 Projects Funded
Browse all the community projects we've supported. Each one represents your contribution to making Helensburgh better.
Project Studio
Cove Park
Project Studio is a Cove Park programme for teenagers in our local area. It offers free 5-6 week blocks of creative activity, including workshops, trips, and events, centered around self-expression and creating community for teenagers interested in the arts, activism, environmentalism, and wellbeing. The programme is supportive of young people with ADHD, dyslexia, and autism. Previous Project Studios have included workshops in photography, art & activism, sculpture, printmaking, and music. The programme will run from 1st April 2026 through to 31st March 2027 and will be designed by our Curator of Engagement using former artist residents of Cove Park to help design and deliver each session.
Supporting 180 beneficiaries
Training for SEN Teachers
Parklands School PSA
Approximately 43 children from the community attend Parklands SEN School on Charlotte St, Helensburgh, all with varying special education needs. Given the variety of ability in the school, our teachers have to work extra hard to create meaningful yet digestible lessons for our children. The head teacher, Gwen, has expressed her desire to have additional training for staff in numeracy from the renowned expert, Les Staves. This type of training is not covered by local authority despite it being hugely beneficial to a school like Parklands. So we - the parents - have taken the task of sourcing the funds for it via our small PTA charity. Not only would this staff training support our teachers give our children the educational experience they deserve, we would be investing in the community long term by building little minds and empowering teachers and support staff for years to come.
Supporting 100 beneficiaries
London Musical Theatre Trip June 2025
Hermitage Academy
Educational trip (23-26 June 2025) taking 35 pupils to London for various West End musicals, workshops, and sightseeing. Specifically seeking support so two vulnerable pupils can attend despite extreme home circumstances/financial difficulties. Both pupils are heavily involved in Music/Drama.
Supporting 2 beneficiaries
Canoe training in Luss
Kirkmichael Community Development Group
Two evening canoeing sessions in June 2025 for 7 youngsters and 1 adult from Kirkmichael, delivered by Paddlepower and Adventure in Helensburgh. Provides a new experience for participants who may not otherwise access water sports.
Supporting 14 beneficiaries
Development of outdoor infant playground
St Joseph's Primary School
Improve the outdoor space for Primary 1 children (and eventually the whole school) by adding mud kitchens, picnic tables, and a seating/teaching area. School is in an area of deprivation; fundraising is slow. Seeking £1,000 to help accelerate the project.
Supporting 200 beneficiaries
Contraflow
Contraflow Youth Project
Christian Youth Project in Helensburgh running school holiday clubs (Easter Code, Christmas Unwrapped, Seaside Special) aimed at P7s and broader local youth. Plans to introduce an eco-friendly approach and a breakfast club to reduce stigma for families struggling with food insecurity. Seeking £1,000 to maintain or enhance these activities.
Supporting 450 beneficiaries
Session leaders tablets
Fun First
Fun First was founded over 20 years ago and during that time, has been a consistent 'go to' organisation for local parents of children aged 0 to 5. Our service operates around 37 weeks each year typically in line with the school year delivering a range of sessions each week from various community venues. Some of our venues are in the heart of the Helensburgh community and others based in settings slightly further afield to reach rural families who find travel into Helensburgh a challenge. We also operate a number of sessions during school holidays and special events. We aim to not only provide fun sessions for children aiding the development of communication and motor skills, but encourage adult life skills and social connections. Our sessions are donation only; we believe that all children should have the best start in life, not just those who can afford it. We have on average 150 Helensburgh families using our service each year. We recently surveyed our families and 96% of adults said that Fun First was important to help maintain/improve their mental health and well-being. 98% of our families said that their children benefit from attending Fun First sessions for social, emotional, physical or language development. 40% of our families reported that due to the cost of living crisis, they cannot access children's classes and services that charge. It is therefore vital that Fun First continues in our community for these families, especially as there are sessions every day of the week. We would like to buy 6 Chromebooks for session leaders to use for sessions. We register all Fun First families at their first session and at each session a register is taken. At present this is all done on paper and inputted by our service coordinator. Not only is this not cost efficient as our service coordinator is paid hourly, but also is not the most environmentally friendly due to all the paper and printing (as well as associated costs). We will also use them to get feedback to help shape our sessions and ensure we are meeting the needs of our service users. The landscape of funding applications is increasingly competitive and we need to ensure that we are getting regular and up to date data to improve our chances of being awarded funding. Our service users are busy parents and carers, who need fast and efficient ways of responding. We feel that a tablet at sessions will significantly help us to achieve this aim, as well as allow session leaders to take photos for evidence and promotion.
Supporting 500 beneficiaries
Have a Project That Needs Funding?
If you're a local organisation with a community-focused project, we'd love to hear from you. Our next grant round opens soon.
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