A STEVENSTON group who provide services of over 50s across North Ayrshire have been awarded over £300,000 from the Big Lottery.

The Helping Older People Evolve (HOPE) project is part of the Community Led Action and Support Project (CLASP) and the funding, £306,199, will help them continue the HOPE project for further three years.

The HOPE Project provides a number of services for over 50s resident in North Ayrshire including:- lunch clubs, 1-1 and telephone befriending, social activities, social outings, health and fitness classes and information and advice.

The HOPE Project is based at the CLASP Resource Centre, Stevenston (across from the GP Centre). However this funding will allow them to not only continue existing services but expand their activities programme to multiple venues and locations across North Ayrshire.

The grant from the Big Lottery Fund will fund the HOPE Project and a contribution to the core costs of the CLASP organisation who also provide a Digital Participation Project to help clients in the use of digital devices i.e. tablets, laptops and smart phones, an Adult Literacies Support Initiative supporting people with reading, writing and numeracy issues and the retention of the Community shop in Hayocks Road, Stevenston providing support to the local community.

Rosemary McCurdy, CLASP General Manager said: “The Big Lottery Fund again have recognised the valuable services provided by our Hope Project for over 50’s resident in North Ayrshire. We are so pleased that they have continued to support our existing work and the development of our activities programme to multiple locations across North Ayrshire.”

If you would like to find out more about the services provided by the Hope Project or would like to volunteer to help older people in your community, please Contact the Hope Project on Tel. 01294 602711.