Community groups are awarded computer equipment

Community groups have been awarded tech that will help them to run things smoothly.

A variety of organisations that are either based in North Ayrshire or supply services in the area applied to the Ayrshire Rural and Islands Ambition (ARIA) Fund for computer equipment. And they were given a total of 156 laptops, 132 iPads, 79 printers and 79 keyboards in the latest round of awards through the ARIA Rural IT Fund for 2024-25.

The Peace of Mind social enterprise is among organisations that received equipment last week. This supports disabled people who are at risk of or are experiencing social exclusion or social isolation to re-engage with their friends and communities.

It does this by providing service users with experiences including attending a local football match, going to the gym, visiting different places or developing new skills.

The team supports people in North Ayrshire and Jim Withers, co-founder and director, said:

“We are pleased to have been successful with the ARIA Rural IT Fund, which will benefit the Peace of Mind North Ayrshire community programme and the people being supported through this.”

Other groups that received awards include:

• Arran Cancer Support Trust (ARCAS) - 1 laptop, 1 printer and 1 keyboard

• Skelmorlie Community Council - 1 laptop and 1 printer

• Garnock Valley Men’s Shed - 1 laptop, 1 iPad and 1, printer and

• Cumbrae Youth Project - 1 laptop, 1 iPad and 1 printer