Cumnock Juniors

Derek King is the Facility Manager at Townhead Community Spirts Hub for Cumnock Juniors Community Enterprise.

Although this was not one of the 22 core projects for the CCLP, it became a key partnership. Derek explains it best so this is his account.

“We are a registered charity and the work we do involves partnership working, that's very important to us.

There are things we are really good at and things other people are really good at. When you put them together it makes a really good project.

CCLP has been one of the partnerships that has been really successful for us. Carolann's (link to Carolann doc) input and enthusiasm were key to pushing a lot of things.

The sense of place film project was very worthwhile for us, getting our young readership academy involved in new skills. It made them think out the box and highlight things in the area.

Of course we piloted the health and wellbeing event, that was very good.

Lots of different groups pulled together, again inspired by Carolann's hard work. We had the Health and Social Care Partnership, podiatry a company that did health checks for BMI, prostrate, cholesterol and atrial fibrillation, it was really good.

We had a lot of older people and the Walking Football guys come down.

One of them was not keen to go to the doctor for a prostrate check, but a wee blood test here gave him peace of mind.

There were a few signposted for high blood pressure They went to the doc and that has maybe prevented some long term illness.

The day was so successful it has been moved on to other areas, Auchinleck Community Development Initiative, Netherthird, New Cumnock and Muirkirk.

It was piloted by CCLP partnership but so many people have been involved and it has brought great benefits to the community.

The Walking Football has been a great model for helping social isolation, health and fitness. So when the CCLP saw that, they knew it would tie in well with the health checks and it grew from there.

Although it started with the walking football it grew out into the community and there have been health checks now for men and women of all ages.

There are a lot in ok with the walking football. We have about 50 players for the weekly sessions. 45 players registered to play in competition. Over 50, over 60, over 65 and over 70 age groups.

We have people travel from all over, Dumfries, Sanquhar, Maybole and Girvan. They come for a wee game of football, some banter and a cup of tea or coffee.

This week we had the Samaritans coming to to learn about how the walking football helps deal with the social isolation and cutting down on suicide. Very positive!

Cumnock Juniors Community Enterprise formed in 2013 as a charity. Initially bringing together Cumnock Juniors Youth Football, CJFC, the social club and Cumnock Rugby Club.

We took over the facility here and Cumnock Juniors signed the rights to the pitch over to us. The aim of the charity initially was to create facilities for kids and adults to play football.

The Cumnock Juniors still train and play matches here but it's also used now by the youth teams, girls lean and the walking football teams.

The charity has grown to do good parcels, basketball, netball, the leadership academy and employability programs. We also offer after school clubs, breakfast clubs and do a lot with schools, there's a lot going on.

We want to do so much more. There are plans for a new pavilion and more community space.

Looking to the future we re- laid the pitch last June with £200k funding. That should last us 8-10 years so it gives us a bit of security.

The new pavilion will have four changing rooms, community rooms and spaces and a cafe. Places for groups to meet and network with other groups. We have a befriending group, mental health and walking groups.

It will be all singing, all dancing and a legacy for future generations."