Social Benefits Wishlist

WDC Department: Education

West Dunbartonshire

Financial Support for Skills Development and Training

The Senior Phase team within West Dunbartonshire Council Education delivers employability programmes that support senior pupils in their transition from school into the world of work. We are seeking financial support to fund accredited training for pupils participating in a new Employability Skills programme delivered in partnership with other Council departments.

The programme provides meaningful training and work experience designed to build confidence, increase sector awareness, and develop practical and personal skills that support progression into a sustainable career pathway.  This support would be significantly enhanced through access to accredited training aligned to each pathway. For example, REHIS Elementary Food Hygiene and Health & Safety certifications would support Hospitality and Catering programmes, while CSCS accreditation would strengthen Construction pathways. Funding this training would add substantial value to each young person’s experience and significantly improve their future employability.

Ferryfield Early Learning & Childcare Centre

Alexandria

Donations of materials to support W4U employability/school projects

Ideally, we would like to have approximately 100m squared of child-safe bark chips. We are developing our baby garden so that it will be a stimulating, inviting, safe place where our babies and toddlers can learn through their senses, curiosity and exploration in an appropriately resourced outdoors area. Different surfaces such as grass, bark chips and tarmac help promote their gross motor skills and balance for learning to walk/run. We are also aiming to hold outdoor Bookbug sessions (depending on weather) which will involve our parents/carers also.

Lennox Primary School

Alexandria

Donation of money / Materials

Our school is expanding its successful permaculture‑inspired garden into a whole‑school sustainability project. Every class will be responsible for caring for and developing their own section of land, helping children learn about biodiversity, food growing, climate action, and stewardship of their local environment.

Compost needed -  Large quantities needed for raised beds and soil improvement (Estimate: For a whole‑school project,10–15 tonnes would make a meaningful impact)

Also looking for:

• Woodchip / bark mulch – for paths, play areas, and weed suppression
• Plants & Seeds
• Vegetable seeds (all varieties)
• Herb plants and seeds
• Perennial flowers for pollinators
• Fruit bushes and small fruit trees
• Native wildflower seeds
• Child‑sized and adult‑sized wheelbarrows
• Watering cans
• Gloves (child and adult sizes)
• Slate pieces for plant and tree signage
• Logs or stumps for seating

Time For Tully

Tullichewan

Donation of money / Materials

Time For Tully is a registered Association who benefits the young people of Tullichewan and their families Our organisation is looking to increase sports and recreational equipment in the estate and give disadvantaged children the opportunity to take part in services and activities currently unavailable to them.

Time For Tully have taken children and families on quite a few day trips/events.  We are always looking to cut costs and coach hire for one of our trips would be an amazing donation

Antonine Boxing Club

Clydebank

Sponsorship of local sports team

We are looking for ongoing support and sponsorship to help keep our gym open. We pay a monthly rent and we also take our boxers across the nation and world competing in competitions. It will be an ongoing struggle for us while we remain opened and committed to providing our services and opting to fund trips for some kids who are less fortunate.

West Dunbartonshire Leisure Trust, Active Schools

West Dunbartonshire

Other

Provision of free extra-curricular sports classes for children across West Dunbartonshire. 

Active Schools provide free sport and physical activity opportunities for children across West Dunbartonshire. Any available funding would be used to help get as many inactive children, active. The focus of Active Schools is to remove barriers to participation and cost is a significant barrier, so any social investment would be used to provide easily accessible and free sport and fun physical activity opportunities for children. The sessions would be targeted and focus on children that need the most support. For example, children with additional support needs or who have a disability, those experiencing social isolation, low confidence/self-esteem and children that want to participate in activities but struggle to do so.

West Dunbartonshire Leisure Trust

West Dunbartonshire

Other

Support towards the Family Fun Run, 5k and 10k races at the Run Loch Lomond event. The Run Loch Lomond event caters for parents and babies through to older people. It is focused on providing family fun and inspiring people to lead active and healthy lifestyles. The fun run regularly has 500+ children taking part with their parents, grandparents, other family and friends all cheering them on. The 5k and 10k also has over 1,000+ runners.

West Dunbartonshire

Donations of materials/money

I am writing from the Community Payback Team, where we proudly provide free gardening labour to support local churches, schools, nurseries, nursing homes, and elderly residents across West Dunbartonshire.
Sadly, for the second time, our gardening equipment has been stolen.
We’re urgently seeking donations of new or used gardening equipment, including:

• Lawn mowers, Strimmers, Hedge Trimmers , Vibration Plate,
• Spades, forks, rakes, hoes
• Wheelbarrows, gloves, watering cans
• Any other tools or supplies that could help us continue our work.

We can also accept cash donations through the proper channels, which will be used exclusively to replace essential equipment and keep our services running. Every contribution makes a real difference.
Thank you for supporting a team that gives back every day.

West Dunbartonshire

Donations of materials to support W4U employability/school projects

We are looking for play chippings to help ensure our nursery garden remains safe, particularly for under our climbing frame and area around our mud kitchen. This will help to ensure the children will be able to access the garden area at all times.

West Dunbartonshire

Donations of money

DuoDay is an annual job-shadowing event in Scotland, led by us, the Scottish Union of Supported Employment (SUSE), which connects employers with disabled jobseekers for one meaningful day in the workplace. It’s designed to break down barriers, showcase talent and promote employment equality brings together disabled people, supported employment service providers and local employers for one day to promote equal employment opportunities across Europe. It highlights the positive contributions disabled people make at work.

We are currently looking for donations to support the development in West Dunbartonshire ahead of the next years initiative. Donations will be used for participant packs and travel expenses for participants.

We are currently looking for a 7ft by 5ft Gatehouse Cabin, Pair of Stadium Goals, with sockets, nets etc (Ones we have are over 30 years old). Disabled Spectator Shelter including base. WIFI installation with Security Cameras as we have had a break in recently. This will benefit the clubs members and the local community. We now have over 300 kids in our Academy, including a girls team and we also have a further 100 adult players through 1st team / Amateurs and Ladies Team. We have a disabled toilet block but not a shelter for them to keep them dry during the winter months and have been using a gazebo which isn't the safest with the strong winds. The goals are over 30 years old and not fit for purpose but most importantly we are looking for WIFI installation and security cameras due to the recent break in at our ground.

The Lomond community Pantry are currently looking for any of the following:

• An alarm system and cameras for security – Cost £500
• 30 Slabs - 600mm x 600mm
• External roughcasting – Cost - £9200
• Pass 100 certificated soil for outside planters.
• Large plant pots

The Request:

We are seeking funds to further progress the production and installation of concrete raised beds at the gardens. This is to replace the remaining rotten and defunct wooden beds. We estimate we need £2500 but any contribution would, of course, be hugely appreciated. More detailed costings can be provided if the overall request is something you are able to consider.

Project Outputs:

The purpose of the raised beds project is to build vegetable plots that will last for many years, potentially decades. This would mean the beds could be utilised undisturbed, maximising the growing time and, therefore, the amount of food available to the community. This contributes to West Dunbartonshire Council’s Food Growing Strategy. I've attached photos that show the deterioration of the old beds as well as some of the new concrete beds we already have in place

Public Benefit:

BCG provides huge benefits to all clients, volunteers and visitors through offering an environment open to all. It offers space to enjoy nature, to connect with other people, to learn skills and to get fresh organic produce.
BCG has worked with all schools and nurseries in West Dunbartonshire. They have installed raised beds throughout, helping build outdoor learning into the curriculum.

Old Kilpatrick Food Parcels aims to alleviate food poverty and reduce social isolation in our community. We are a registered charity who started up during Covid as a result of families experiencing financial hardship. We were feeding 50 families per month in 2020 and our recent annual accounts show that we are now feeding an average of 400 families per month. Our resources are stretched beyond their limit and we desperately need help to enable us to continue to provide essential food, toiletries and baby items to vulnerable families
Currently looking for:

1. Loft insulation
2. Loft ladder
3. Web design
4. Vinyl flooring

Wish list for both Nairn Street and Shaftesbury Street Sheltered Complex would be:

• Funds to provide a fitness trainer 2 sessions a week for chair exercise classes.
• Funds to provide 6 social events indoors and outdoors in the wider community to include bus hires.

Faifley Art Group has 28 active members and has been running since 1988. We focus on developing visual arts skills and reducing social isolation, especially among our mostly elderly members—many of whom live alone or have health issues.

We’re planning a group outing to the McLaurin Gallery at Rozelle Gardens in Ayr, including a light lunch:

Coach hire: £400
Lunch for 20 members: £200
Total cost: £600
Social outings like this are vital for keeping members engaged and connected. We kindly request a £600 donation to help make this event possible.

We provide weekly subsidised meals for up to 160 people every Wednesday. During the winter months, we also run a “Heating and Eating” programme, offering a freshly cooked two-course meal every Tuesday evening in a warm, welcoming, and friendly environment.

Our aim is to support anyone struggling with the rising cost of living. Our building is fully inclusive, accommodating all disabilities, and we actively work to combat loneliness within our community. To continue delivering these vital services, we urgently need to upgrade our refrigeration units. We are currently using domestic appliances, but commercial-grade fridges and freezers—costing £1,900 each—are required to meet demand.

Any donation, no matter the size, will help us reach our goal and would be deeply appreciated.

We urgently require repairs to two areas of our workspace, and any support with either issue would be greatly appreciated.

1. Flooring Upgrade at Leven Valley Enterprise Centre
We would like to replace the current carpet tiles in one area of our unit with linoleum. The space is approximately 2m x 6m and houses several fridges. Due to frequent spillages, the existing surface is no longer suitable. With budgets being tight, any assistance with this upgrade would mean a great deal to us.

2. Drainage Repair Outside Fire Doors at Leven Valley Enterprise Centre
The drain just outside our fire doors has collapsed, causing significant flooding and puddles during rainfall. On several occasions, water has seeped through the fire doors into the unit. This entrance is also used for moving deliveries, and unfortunately, many of our volunteers end up with wet feet. Repairing this issue is essential for both safety and accessibility.

We are looking for support to purchase some new kit and equipment for our Street League academies including footballs, nets, rackets, sports bibs. Our young people aged 16-24 who take part in our 10 week academies to support them into a positive destination whether that is training, education or employment.

We would like help to continue the refurbishment of our Boys Brigade Community Hall in Smollett Street, Alexandria. Replacing the guttering and the fascia/soffits boards on the building. Over the years the weather has caused much deterioration. A well maintained community hall is a great benefit to our boys and girls as well as the others hall users. Every group wants to enjoy a safe and warm environment for the wellbeing of their members in their chosen activity.

Time For Tully is a registered Association who benefits the young people of Tullichewan and their families Our organisation is looking to increase sports and recreational equipment in the estate and give disadvantaged children the opportunity to take part in services and activities currently unavailable to them.

Currently Time For Tully does not have premises in the area of Tullichewan, Alexandria. We would like to add a space to the area, where we can store sports equipment and ideally have some office space and to hold meetings and eventually events, a base and somewhere to call home for us. We would be so so grateful if we could have a 2nd hand, in not too bad condition large modular classroom/Portakabin that we can put our stamp on. As a grassroots organisation, having a base would mean the world to us and to the children and families of Tullichewan.

Also looking for donations for the following

• Sports related equipment

Men's Shed Clydebank is about helping all men at different stages of their lives by making available opportunities to join with other men in creating meaningful, enjoyable mutually agreed activities and projects along with the companionship and support of each other… in a 'SHED' environment. We currently have 180 registered members, and work with a number of other local community groups including local schools and nurseries. Cash donations are a great help to allow us to support other community groups and individuals. Material donations are welcome too as they help us to offset the costs of the construction we undertake on behalf of the community.

Tullochan supports the West Dunbartonshire Community - providing employability, training, qualifications and mental health & wellbeing support to those aged 5-25 and 25+ through a variety of projects. Tullochan Training Academy is our main hub for engagement, with programmes such as Timber Transitions (practical woodwork and numeracy project), Furniture Fix (upcycling project), Gardening & Landscaping (community projects providing basic garden maintenance), Personal Development (mental health, wellbeing and life skills) and Employability (CV Cover Letter writing, job searching/applications, interview prep/mock interviews) on offer. Our programmes are available to those who need extra support in finding sustainable education, employment or training and are tailored to meet each individual need.

Currently looking or the following: Gardening & Landscaping

• soil, plants/bulbs, planter bags
• equipment (gloves, knee pads etc)
• seeds (fruit and vegetables)

Timber Transitions

• wood (for bird boxes, planter boxes, raised beds)
• equipment (saws, tool belts, screws etc)

Furniture Fix

• Varnish, furniture paint, sanding materials
• Old furniture (wooden)

Knowetop is a community horticulture and wildlife project on 15 acres of ground in Dumbarton. We offer weekly volunteering sessions, work with local schools and run a community events and activity programme, as well as providing locally grown fruit and vegetables to community members, and community cafes in the area.

We are looking for donations of goods and materials (or money to buy goods and materials) for the following;

• timber for building raised beds in our community growing space and other projects including building tool storage racks, cold frames and mud kitchens
• slabs/ sand for laying paths and hard standing for sheds
• compost for using on our no-dig beds in our market garden and for filling raised beds in the community growing space (material must be compliant with BS3882:2015 and BS8601:2013)
• metal benches for seating on the wider site
• metal roofing sheets, sheet materials and insulation for finishing our garden room group space/office

Donations to Clifftop Projects would support transport for local young people in West Dunbartonshire to attend theatre and performance events across Scotland. It could also pay for a performance company to come to Dumbarton with a show.

We would be happy to arrange sponsorship with a supplier. You can find out more about any of our projects here: www.clifftopprojects.co.uk

Provision of labour, money or materials to support local community projects.

Help needed for:

• Building a wooden fence around work area
• Painting wooden beds & pergolas
• Landscaping features (manual labour)
• Planting out (veg/trees/flowers)
• Grass cutting
• Weeding

Donations of household Cleaning wipes, toilet roll, hand sanitiser, plaster gloves, bin liners (small & large), gardening gloves (adult & kids), larger plant pots (40-60cm), garden trowels & forks, long handled steel weeding brush, work safety boots UK size 8&9, padlock & keys, copy paper & printer's ink for Epsom copier.

We support local young people aged 12-26 who are affected by parental alcohol or drug use.

Many of our young people don't get much for their birthday or Christmas so we endeavor to get them all a gift personal to them, this is becoming harder as the number of the young people we support is growing.

Money to buy each young person a birthday and Christmas present personal to them.

An emergency fund to buy items like school uniform item, phone charger etc.
We are always looking for a room for 1-2-1 support work, small group work or a base for our two members of staff . If any local businesses have a room we could use, we would be very grateful.

We are an emergency foodbank currently feeding over 200 families per week in West Dunbartonshire who are both working and unemployed but equally struggling financially.