GROUPS in Cumnock and Dalmellington will benefit from a funding surge from East Ayrshire Council's (EAC) Early Intervention Fund.
The fund is a pot of £40million that has been set aside to be used over the next 10 years and help tackle inequality, child poverty and increase fairness in communities.
EAC chief executive Eddie Fraser told the Chronicle that this cash would be spent trying to help some of the worst-hit areas of the local authority, with the council keen to ensure the investment makes a lasting difference.
As part of the cash pot, Yipworld in Cumnock and The Zone in Dalmellington are both set to receive an incredible boost of £400,000 each.
Recently, First Minister John Swinney announced on a visit to East Ayrshire that The Scottish Government's Fairer Future Partnerships were expanding to five new areas across Scotland – joining up local services, officering financial advice and supporting parents and carers into work.
East Ayrshire was selected as one of these areas, meaning that cash could be passed to the three local third sector groups.
It was also agreed that the council would match the Scottish Government’s contribution of £600k to take forward ‘tests of change’ that reduce the impact of poverty, demonstrate fairness, provide skills for learning and work, and move individuals into employment.
The money will aims to deliver place-based supports that reduce poverty, demonstrate fairness, provide skills for learning and work, move individuals into employment and reduce demand in other areas.
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The projects will be monitored on a regular basis and the results shared with cabinet and government colleagues to identify best practice and opportunities to provide benefits to other parts of the public sector.
EAC depute leader and Cumnock & New Cumnock councillor Jim McMahon is delighted to see some of the cash spent in the local area.
He said: “By joining forces with the Scottish Government we are investing £1.2 million with three key partners over the next three years in a pathfinder programme.
"This pathfinder programme will offer greater insights into new ways of working that can influence national policies, and help create systems change on how public services are delivered to the benefit of everyone living in Scotland.
"I am pleased that Cumnock will be at the forefront of taking this programme forward, and that Yipworld has rightly been recognised as a corner-stone of our community with local knowledge and a high level of understanding of the challenges faced by folks living here.”
Cllr Hogg added: "The Zone is based in Dalmellington within the Doon Valley area and is therefore uniquely placed in East Ayrshire to provide insights into the needs and challenges which families living in rural communities face.
"I look forward to seeing how this programme will seek to secure positive results for our communities within the whole Doon Valley and the positive outcomes that we can expect to see.
"Projects will look to focus on alternative learning programmes; positive social network and activities; linking with partner organisations to build new skills and interests; and improving daily routines through positive social networks.”
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