Ideas for everyday living

Title: East Ayrshire's Auchinleck is a village that felt it lost its community spirit when the local mining industry collapsed. Left poorer and isolated, the Auchinleck Community Development Initiative (ACDI) was set up to make life better. With welfare champions, recovery support and a place to make friends, it has provided a lifeline for the community. The rising cost of living has made that lifeline more important than ever.

Paul McKenzie, Community Engagement Manager: Our charity was born out of a need to revitalise the sense of community in the area. That sense of community was always provided by the mining industry. Once that was taken away, there was a void. The cost of living crisis has made the centre an increasingly essential service. Our remit is to improve the lives of the people in the town. Now, that can be through employment, it can be through advice, it can be through support. A small town like Auchinleck, the people themselves are the glue that holds the community together. It’s up to use to make sure that we keep building. We keep making sure that whatever is lost, we as a community make something new.

Scott, local resident: A lot of the people that come here are struggling with mental health difficulties, finding it hard to find employment elsewhere. We always give somebody a chance in here, no matter their background. When I was younger, I was a bad boy and ended up in prison and things like that. So I struggled to find work, I was out of work for about 5 or 6 years. I realised the importance of being outdoors and working outdoors, especially with plants, trees and shrubs. It tends to be very therapeutic. It takes you away from your problems. The main thing I like about this place is just seeing the people that come through the place and the change in them. It gives me a great sense of pride. This is my happy place. This is everybody else’s happy place in here. So it is.

Sharon, local resident: I’m Sharon and I come to these art groups. Very therapeutic. It’s really enjoyable just sitting here painting pictures and we’ll have a good laugh together, when we’re all in the group some days. It does, it brings out your confidence because you’re meeting new people and that helps. Oh, it does make a big difference to my life, because I think I’d be lost without this place. I used to have to come in here a year ago and it’s been fantastic. I absolutely love it, I’d be lost without it now.

Margaret, local resident: Hi, my name’s Margaret. One of the reasons I like coming here on a Wednesday is for tea and a chat. We don’t know what we’re going to talk about or discuss, but I can tell you the times keep on going and we’re all vying to get our wee bit in. A lot of us are on our own, do it does make a different, a really is a fun morning. If you feel low when you come in, I can assure you you’ll feel high when you go home.

Paul McKenzie, Community Engagement Manager: Our organisation has done our very best to recreate that heart of the town, to give it back. Some sense of social cohesion and make sure that everyone has a brighter future to look forward to.

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