Auchinleck: ACDI Boswell Centre activities and groups

Auchinleck Community Development Initiative (ACDI) is entering the second in a ten-year lease of the Boswell Community Centre, which will allow them to offer a range of new and exciting activities and services to meet the needs of the community.

Chairman of the group, Bobby McCallum, was born and raised in Auchinleck, and has seen how the village has changed through the years.

The group operates the Boswell Centre in Auchinleck. (Image: NQ Archive) Speaking about the group's hopes moving forward, he said: “ACDI has been operating out of the Boswell Centre since it was built and through our projects, including the Knowe Garden Centre, we have been able to provide much needed training for many of our residents.

"We've also been able to provide a range of activities such as music nights, cinema nights parties, youth and adult clubs, Parent and Toddlers, Recovery Services, Welfare Benefit advice and support for families trying to recover from the covid pandemic.

"We’ve done this with the support and help from the East Ayrshire Leisure Trust who managed the building on behalf of the council.

"Now, however, the trust has given us a lease of the building which will allow us to offer more events, activities and services.

"Hubs have been successful in places like Ochiltree and Dalmellington and in both these cases they have reinvigorated the communities. We hope to do the same”.

Various events have already been held at the centre. (Image: NQ Archive) As part of their plans, the organisation aim to include a café so that patrons can enjoy a refreshment and a blether with the staff, who will be on hand to listen to ideas and comments about what type of activities the community would like to see.

Coupled with this will be a major change to the way ACDI operates, as the group attempts to encourage greater participation in the decision making process of the organisation.

Founder member of the group and well-known local librarian Evelyn Robertson outlines the plan.

READ MORE: 'Life-saver' Auchinleck back-to-school event branded a huge success

She said: “Over the years we have done a lot of hard work to try and regenerate the community following the devastating loss of the mining and other industries.

"The trouble is, we have done a lot for the community which sometimes isn’t appreciated and we came to realise that we really need to do more with the community to help them realise their aspirations for the future.

"That’s why we’re currently devising a new membership system which it is hoped can get more people involved in the Centre’s activities and consequently the management of ACDI.”

Evelyn adds: “We only have a small board of directors, staff compliment and volunteers and obviously we need more of each to help us achieve our ambition”.

The centre held a 'life-saving' back-to-school event last year. (Image: NQ Archive) There are plenty of voluntary opportunities available for anyone wishing to become involved.

Robert Madden recently took over the role of development officer and will oversee many of the planned changes.

Robert said: "Volunteering can be a great way of getting involved in some worthwhile projects and can lead to a feeling of self-satisfaction or even training and employment opportunities.

"Myself and my staff are here to discuss your individual preferences and to provide guidance on future possibilities.

"Whether it be working with children and young people, catering, event organising there can be something for everybody within the services we provide.

"And, of course, you would be helping the regeneration of Auchinleck in the process."

“Five years ago, some of the community were involved in the creation of Auchinleck Community Action Plan," Robert added.

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"The plan raised a lot of ideas and concerns and was supposed to bring together a range of groups who would work in partnership with the council to address the concerns and put ideas into action.

"Unfortunately, that didn’t happen and ACDI and the community council were left to tackle those plans which came under their auspices.

"We still believe we can bring the community together to achieve more and make the village the vibrant place it once but we need help to make the Boswell Centre the catalyst for action.

"Only the good citizens of Auchinleck can make that happen”.

If you would like to know more about the current activities taking place in the centre, book a room for your group meetings or activities, or to find out about volunteer opportunities, you can contact the centre manager Reid Armour or development officer Robert Madden by phoning 01290 428482.