CEIS Ayrshire’s Partnership with Radio City
Overview
At CEIS Ayrshire, our mission revolves around nurturing collaboration and fostering strong partnerships. This commitment is exemplified through our successful collaboration with Radio City, a partnership that aims to deliver significant social, economic, and environmental benefits to the Garnock Valley community. Our joint efforts focus on empowering local residents through accredited training and volunteer opportunities, transforming the landscape of the former Glengarnock Steelworks site into a vibrant and sustainable space for all.
Project Background
The Radio City collaboration is centred around a volunteer-driven initiative to convert the grounds of the Garnock Valley Fitness Centre into a 4km walking path. This site, once the vast 250-hectare Glengarnock Steelworks, is undergoing a remarkable transformation into a parkland destination. The effort is part of a larger regeneration and Community Wealth Building strategy, designed to revitalize the area and provide enduring benefits to the local community, from improved physical health and recreational spaces to potential economic boosts through tourism and increased community engagement.
Training and Development
Recognising the importance of equipping volunteers with the necessary skills and knowledge, CEIS Ayrshire and Radio City have collaborated to provide comprehensive training. The goal is to ensure the volunteers can safely and effectively contribute to the project while gaining valuable experience that enhances their career prospects.
Accredited Training
Volunteers are benefiting from a structured training program delivered via our TrainME online platform, covering essential courses such as:
- Manual Handling
- Abrasive Wheels Training
- Additionally, CEIS Ayrshire is certified to deliver the following in-person training:
- REHIS First Aid at Work: Ensuring volunteers are prepared to handle emergencies.
- CITB CSCS Health and Safety Training: Offering industry-recognized health and safety accreditation.
- Equipment and Safety Training
The project also necessitates hands-on experience with various types of equipment critical for pathway clearing and maintenance. To this end, volunteers will receive in-depth training on:
- Brush-Cutters and Trimmers
- Woodchippers
- Pesticides Application
- Ground-Based Chainsaw Operation
This training provided emphasises the importance of safety and provides transferable skills that can open new employment opportunities for participants.
Impact on Volunteers and the Community
Participation has provided the seven dedicated volunteers from Garnock Valley with a unique chance to contribute meaningfully to their community. By clearing and improving pathways, they are making a difference in the local environment while gaining critical, employable skills.
Community Benefits
The pathway project is set to bring a host of advantages to the wider community, including:
Physical Health: The creation of a scenic walking path encourages outdoor activity, benefiting the residents by improving their wellbeing.
Economic Uplift: The regeneration of the steelworks site into a parkland destination promises to attract visitors and stimulate local businesses.
Outcome
By offering practical training and support to local volunteers, this project is improving the Garnock Valley Fitness Centre area while also helping participants develop useful skills for future opportunities. We’re proud to be part of an initiative that benefits both the volunteers and the wider community, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with Radio City
Get in Touch
Do you have a project and would like to collaborate? We can support your participants with practical training and support or source employees for your business. Please use the form below to find out how we can help.
