Community groups help shape plans to tackle child poverty

North Ayrshire Council is working with local community organisations to develop new ways of tackling child poverty across the region.

The initiative uses a co-design approach – bringing together residents, community groups, Third Sector organisations and service users to share their lived experiences and help shape services before they are put in place.

The aim is to create support tailored to local needs, helping families access services, maximise benefits and build stronger connections in two key areas – Saltcoats North East and Kilbirnie South and Longbar.

Two Third Sector groups – Beith Community Development Trust and Argyle Community Association (working with Saltcoats Link Up) – have each been awarded £22,500 to act as co-design partners. The funding will cover staffing, community surveys and support for people with lived experience to take part in the design process.

Council Leader Marie Burns said:

“This is an exciting approach to tackling issues that are impacting residents’ lives on a daily basis. The more knowledge and information we have about local groups and families’ experiences of poverty, the better position we will be in to bring about positive, practical change that will actually improve the quality of people’s lives. I would like to thank Beith Community Development Trust, the Argyle Community Association and Saltcoats Link Up for their involvement and for sharing their invaluable local knowledge.”

Applications were reviewed by a panel including Council officers, The Ayrshire Community Trust (TACT), Arran Community and Voluntary Services, and residents with lived experience.

Fiona Menzies, Project Development Officer at Beith Community Development Trust, said:

“It has been really inspiring to work on this test of change with the Council, and I can already see real, positive change happening that is going to impact people’s lives for the better.”

In 2024, the Council became a Fairer Futures Partnership (FFP) with the Scottish Government, securing £350,000 to create a Child Poverty Strategy Team. The team has been working with partners since January to support families and improve wellbeing across all six North Ayrshire localities.

The co-design project funding comes from the Fairer Futures Partnership. Meetings have already taken place to review local data and hear directly from people with lived experience of poverty.

Claire Tatlow, Community Development Worker with Saltcoats Link Up, added:

“Having the Council working alongside local community organisations like this is something quite different. It’s a new approach. The aim is to help alleviate financial pressure – and other types of pressures – for people and make a change in their lives.”