Thanks to funding from the National Lottery, North Ayrshire residents will soon be offered “Peace of Mind”, an innovative programme aimed at reducing social exclusion and isolation.

The programme is run by Peace of Mind Services, a social enterprise established in 2016 and who have been working closely with Fife Health & Social Care Partnership for the past three years.

Over this time, the programme has established seven groups across the region, supporting 50 individuals who were previously attending local day care centres. 

Now the co-founders, Colin Millar and Jim Withers, are bringing the programme to North Ayrshire thanks to the National Lottery Awards for All Scotland grant.

Jim, an Ayrshire resident himself, said: “We’ve seen a dramatic difference in the overall well-being of the people we’re supporting in Fife.

"They’ve went from day care services to learning to travel independently, take part in local causes such as foodbanks and travel all over the country enjoying the best Scotland has to offer."

People participating in their groups have taken part in a range of social activities including lawn bowling, arts and crafts and visiting various Scottish cities and museums.

A number of attendees went on to find volunteering opportunities at local foodbanks and even moved into paid employment.

Jim added: "We’re delighted that the National Lottery has awarded us funding to bring this innovative approach to my own doorstep and hopefully we can see similar successes here and across Ayrshire as the programme develops.”

The team are already accepting referrals to the programme which will formally launch in North Ayrshire on October 9 at the TACT 25th anniversary celebrations at their offices in Saltcoats.