## **Annual Report Jan 2025/April 26 ’ - St Marnock s Youth Club Kilmarnock Branch of Enable.** 

St Marnock’s Youth Club is organised by Kilmarnock Branch of Enable, the Youth Group is our only venture.  We have been established for over 40 years originally a summer play scheme, several of our members have been attending since the club was established.  Our ages range from 18 to 65. 

Transport is available for our members – we have several adults who are supported by their own carers and supply their own transport.  The annual cost of the transport is £2,670 per year. We have dramatically reduced our transport cost as we now hire the Stewarton Community Bus at a cost of £40 per week. Transport with an Escort is a vital part for our group as many of our members are unable to travel independently and would be unable to attend if transport was not provided. 

This year our numbers have increased and at the moment we have 19 regular members who attend the club weekly. 

We continue to operate our club from the Sir Alexander Fleming Centre which is operated by EAC Many of our members are familiar with the facility and feel comfortable in these surroundings.  This centre offers us lots of room to enable us to have numerous activities within the building and we can share our resources. We continue to struggle with volunteers to assist in the club however we have a good core of helpers who attend on a regular basis, Donnie who drives the bus, Moya who is our secretary, Eunice is our treasurer, Clare and Catlin who help Eunice as escort on the bus.  Laura is our games coordinator, Leigha and Kirsten have fabulous ideas for art projects, Leia assist in all of our various activities, Dionne, Charlene and Eunice are about to be in charge of our gardening project with the assistance of us all.  We have also been able to recruit some new volunteers to replace those who are no longer attending, Charlene, Leia, Freya and Blair.  Keir is helping out at the club as part of his Duke of Edinburgh awards scheme. The Club provides respite for the parents/guardians for 3-hours on a Monday evening, while our members attend the group.   All of our 



adults have learning difficulties some also have behavioral problems and physically disabilities, non verbal and partially sighted. The group provides social and  recreational activities ie bingo, arts and crafts, television, music, dancing and gardening and most importantly interaction with their peers in a friendly and safe environment. 

Throughout the year we have various social events, numerous visits to the Gaiety theatre in Ayr as our members enjoy musical theatre and the annual Pantomine.  We have various parties throughout the year ie Christmas party with a visit from Santa, a summer disco etc.  We are now introducing in house entertainment as it is becoming so expensive for our theatre trips costing over £1,8000 for each event. We have had Magicians, Elvis, Abba and Karaoke, DJ and tribute acts all of which have been very successful with our members and our volunteers. 

It is difficult for the group to fund raise as many have no family and live in supported accommodation or with elderly parents/guardians 

We did not apply for a grant from EAC this year as we had a substansial grant from the National Lottery and still have funds available. 

The national lottery awarded us a grant of £14,400 in 2025.  We had extensive work done in the patios to improve the appearance of the area.  New patio furniture was purchased, an outdoor Basket ball hoop, lots of plants to bring colour to our garden, we even planted potatoes, onions and tomatoes which our members enjoyed caring for and eating the end product. 

The pool table is a great success with our members which can become very competitive at times. 

Our future plans are to continue to run the club as long as we can obtain funding.  We continue to look for additional volunteer’s to assist with the club and over the last year we have been successful in recruiting however we can always do with additional help. I have contacted Kilmarnock Enable to see if they can assist with some First Aid training for our volunteers. 



I would wish to take this opportunity to thank our volunteers Moya, Donnie, Claire, Caitlin, Dionne,  Kirsten, Laura, Leigha, Charlene, Leia, Freya and Blair for their good work and dedication who without their help and support the group would not exist. 

Eunice Farrell-Treasurer Donald Carmichael -Chairperson Moya Naismith - Secretary