The Role of the Troon Community Council

 My name is Joanna, and I am a researcher at True North.  

Last year we made a series for BBC Three called Evicted which followed young renters across England as they faced no-fault evictions and struggled to find new accommodation during the cost-of-living crisis. 

You can watch it here. 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p0fg0wnx/evicted 

We are going into production with a new 60-minute documentary based in Scotland, which will follow the stories of young renters throughout the country who are facing eviction, because of the lifting of the eviction ban and the 3% rent cap. 

As we are currently in the process of casting, it would be great if you could help us spread the word. I have attached a flyer and a reel so you can see what we are looking for. It would great if you could share them amongst any people you are in touch with, or post on your social media pages, so that if anyone would like to speak to us confidentially about their situation they can get in contact.

Thank you for your time and your help. And please feel free to get in touch should you have any further questions.

We look forward to hearing from you. 

  Regards,

Joanna

A new campaign launched today by Child Protection Committees Scotland and Barnardo’s Scotland encourages the general public to really look, listen and notice signs that a child may be being sexually abused, and report concerns immediately.

Titled What If You’re Right?, the campaign has been designed with input from adult survivors of sexual abuse across Scotland, and highlights both the immediate and long term consequences of child sexual abuse.

Jim Kerr, Independent Chair of the South Ayrshire Child Protection Committee urges concerned adults not to ignore signs that something is seriously wrong for a child.

“We listened to many adult survivors of child sexual abuse as we developed this campaign. They were all clear that sexual abuse is not only horrendous at the time it is happening, but it can also cause lifelong physical and emotional damage. Trauma experienced as a result of child sexual abuse can ruin lives.”

Vicci, a child sexual abuse survivor who contributed to the campaign, endured sexual abuse by members of her extended family for many years, from a very young age.

“I was abused until I was about 10. I don’t remember a time where I wasn’t abused, where I wasn’t touched, where I wasn’t made to do things. That got progressively worse, I was probably younger than 8 when they started raping me.”

Vicci is clear that the experience of being sexually abused as a child has had long lasting ramifications.

“It’s impacted my life in ways I could never have imagined. I’ve been in very dark places, I’ve been suicidal, I’ve been hospitalised. Certain sounds and smells can make me physically sick, even particular words can trigger flashbacks, and put me in a vulnerable and unsafe position. I struggle with a fear of never knowing who’s round the next corner and trust is a huge issue too – when those people, the abusers, have told you that they love you but then hurt you terribly, how do you then trust other people?”

The What If You’re Right? campaign urges the general public to really look, listen and notice signs that all is not well with a child, and take immediate action if they suspect the child might be being sexually abused. Both Child Protection Committees Scotland and campaign partner Barnardo’s Scotland understand that people can be hesitant about acting on a gut feeling, but Martin Crewe, Director of Barnardo’s Scotland is clear that taking action is essential to help prevent lifelong damage.

“It’s important that adults know how to spot the signs of child abuse and exploitation, and how to do something about it.

“If you are worried about a child or young person, you can visit the Child Protection Scotland campaign website for more resources on what to do – including the Barnardo’s-hosted centre of expertise on child sexual abuse which has developed resources to support adults working with children.”

When it comes to the wider community, Linda Semple, Chair of the South Ayrshire Integration Joint Board urges everyone to help protect children.

“It’s everyone’s job to keep children safe from harm, and we all need to play our part to help limit the long-term damage child sexual abuse can cause. Don’t wait for someone else to take action, report concerns yourself. Yes, it can be scary to speak up, but we need to be brave and not ignore signs that there’s a potential problem.

“Anyone who is worried that a child might be being sexually abused can visit the Child Protection Scotland website for information about how to take action, or contact the South Ayrshire child protection team. If you fear that a child is in immediate danger, you should call Police Scotland right away.”

If you are concerned that a child is suffering from, or at risk from, any abuse you should contact South Ayrshire Councils Children and Families Social Work on 01292 288645 option 1 or email the InitialResponseTeam@south-ayrshire.gov.uk

For more information visit the South Ayrshire Child Protection website: https://hscp.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/ProtectingYoungPeople

This Scotland-wide What If You’re Right? campaign launches on TUESDAY 6 FEBRUARY at 10am and will run for two weeks.

The campaign was co-designed with input from individual adult survivors of child sexual abuse from across Scotland and members of survivor support groups including Survivors Unite, In Care Survivors, The Moira Anderson Foundation and Break the Silence.

The What If You’re Right? campaign is a digital campaign which features a series of animations using survivor voiceovers. The animations will run on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube and on the Child Protection Scotland website.

      https://www.childprotection.scot

      https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl6P2OE0_ImLGc_iF3VXkRA/videos

People who want to find further information about how to recognise signs of child sexual abuse can visit the Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse website (hosted by Barnardo’s) https://www.csacentre.org.uk/research-resources/practice-resources/signs-and-indicators/

Please see attached poster and info below for Time to Talk at Carnegie Library in Ayr.  There will be additional sessions being held at other libraries in the coming months, dates and locations will be shared in due course.

Time to Talk

Sip on a warm cuppa, tuck into some treats, and have a good blether. It’s the perfect opportunity to unwind, catch up, and share stories.

Whether you’re a regular library visitor or it’s your first time stepping in, you are warmly welcomed to be a part of our Tea and Talk community.

When: First Thursday of the month, 11am-12noon

Where: Carnegie Library, 12 Main Street Ayr KA8 8E

Carnegie Time for Tea Poster

Time to Talk-Children’s Mental Health Week social media schedule

I wanted to make you aware of the CEF which launched on Friday 19^th January 2024 and closes on Thursday 8^th February 2024.

South Ayrshire Council has been allocated funding from UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and I have recently came into post as External Funding Officer to support this fund.

Empowering communities is a national priority. It is an important part of public service reform, focusing attention on reducing disadvantage and inequality and improving outcomes for communities.

South Ayrshire Council is committed to promoting and supporting the principles of community empowerment and encouraging interest in community asset transfer, as well as groups taking ownership of local land and assets and driving forward community led regeneration.

The definition used in respect of community-led regeneration by the Scottish Government,  states that community-led regeneration is about “people identifying issues and opportunities in their local area; deciding what to do about them and making positive change in their communities.”Full information and guidance notes which details the full criteria as well as details on how apply can be accessed using the link below:

https://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/funding/

Please note the main objectives of the fund will be to assist groups with community empowerment through the development of cultural and heritage activities as well as sport and art.

 If you have any questions or queries relating to this fund please contact myself or grants@south-ayrshire.gov.uk

Kind Regards

Tracy Whiteford | External Funding Officer (UKSPF) | Thriving Communities | Strategic Change and Communities | | Tel: 01292 612305 | South Ayrshire Council | County Buildings | Wellington Square | Ayr | KA7 1DR | www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk

Harbour Trustee Annual Report

I am pleased to share with you the recently completed inaugural first annual report of Harbour Ayrshire

Our work is across Ayrshire but the largest concentration is within South Ayrshire  which is why i was particularly keen to share with you

Should you wish any further information on services we offer and links for referrals from constituents, please don’t hesitate to contact me

Hard copies will be available in a couple of weeks if you require any

Kind Regards

The above Temporary Notice, which comes into force on 06/03/2024, imposes restriction on the following roads:

• Lang Road,Westward Way

Please find attached a copy of the Temporary Notice.

A copy of the plan relating to the Notice can be found online at https://www.tellmescotland.gov.uk/notices/south-ayrshire/traffic/00000308601.

For more information contact:

Sunbelt Rentals

01698745069

bellshilltm@Sunbeltrentals.co.uk

 We’re happy to help you with any questions you may have. Please contact us directly at enquiries@ayrshireroadsalliance.org

Please see attached the latest copy of the Alzheimer Scotland ‘What’s On’ Guide.

If you would like further information, please contact Pam Rudge at PRudge@Alzscot.org.