FOLLOWING a pilot scheme in Ayr, it is hoped Our People Our Place has shown the Girvan Community what help and advice is available from council partners.

A similar event took place in Ayr North last year but feedback told South Ayrshire Council to rethink and make their next programme better and in the one place. 

David Burns, Executive Manager, People Directorate, South Ayrshire Council said: “We piloted this in Ayr North working in Newton Primary School and Ayr Academy. The idea was to work in partnership with services. Some of it was successful other parts could have been organised better.

“Members asked for the next pilot to be in Girvan and to take a different approach. This time we didn’t want to take the spotlight away from the Town Centre. Girvan is different, people live here, go to work and school here and socialise here.”

Part of the campaign was to show members of the community including teachers, pupils and parents what resources were available to them for advice and support.

South Ayrshire Council and their partners including NHS Ayrshire & Arran, South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership, Police Scotland and Scottish Fire and Rescue can be contacted at any time.

David continued: “We started this part of the journey on May 25. Some 25 agencies arrived at the school but the teachers said they did not know who these agencies were and whereabouts they were based in Girvan. 

“Within Girvan Academy many of the students are trying to cope with anxiety, exams and things which cause them stress.

“They need someone to talk about how they are feeling and this would be a welcome addition to the Academy. The theatre inside the school allows 400 young people to come throughout the day to get away from it all.”

The main aim of Our People Our Place is to create a safer, healthier, friendlier Girvan and South Carrick.

In amongst a carnival atmosphere families took part in a range of fun activities which included climbing walls, roller disco and Girvan’s very own ‘It’s a knockout’ competition. 

But throughout the week, adults in and around Girvan were able to access advice and support on money and debt management, health and wellbeing and employability and skills.

There was also support for children and young people with local schools hosting various services with advice on mental health, staying safe and employability.

On Saturday, June 9 questionnaires were handed out to encourage the community to engage have their say on what would make Girvan and South Carrick better.