Update from The Nest Wellbeing Group

In April 2022 a partnership was entered into – by Corra, CVO East Ayrshire (COVEA) and What Matters to You – to enable The Nest Wellbeing Group’s purchase of a building intended to deliver our vision for ‘The Nest’, a Community Wellbeing Hub at the heart of the community. This was seen at the time as being the most pragmatic route to purchase the building as at that stage the group had not finalised their bid to become a SCIO.

The old bakehouse at 12 Kilnholm Place was identified for ‘The Nest’ and, with funding support from Scottish Government, purchased by CVOEA on behalf of the partnership. Although requiring capital investment, the central location, potential of the space and collective expertise of the partners made the building an attractive prospect and an 18-month target was set for the works to be completed.

Since then, there has been significant progress on the part of the community members behind the idea, including:

• • Becoming a registered SCIO – The Nest Wellbeing Group (TNWG)
  • Working with Occam architecture to create design proposal for ‘The Nest’
  • Deepening their networks, including and increasing community participation
  • Securing £250k over 3-years for two full time members of staff

The Nest Wellbeing Group are a community-led charity at the forefront of delivering Health & Wellbeing activities locally.

“Our activity provides vital support for community members including people facing complex challenges in their lives. We also established a Community Living Room to initially aid Covid recovery and quickly realised the value of this to both local people and services. Our Community Living Room offers a safe environment for the wider community. A home from home, where people can be themselves and be accepted for who they are and what they bring. Where they feel relaxed, heard, and can be introduced to other people (or services), where and when they need it.” Natalie (Wellbeing Development Manager)

Corra and What Matters to You have worked alongside TNWG during this time and state that they have been heartened by progress to date.

Unfortunately, the pace of development and the partnership with CVOEA in relation to ‘The Nest’ building has been more challenging. Despite efforts to keep the capital project and partnership on track – including discussions facilitated by East Ayrshire Council – we collectively view the partnership as unworkable.

Following a request to transfer ownership to The Nest Wellbeing Group, CVOEA have indicated their intention to retain the building at 12 Kilnholm Place. As such The Nest Wellbeing Group, with support from Corra and What Matters to You, have been obliged to pursue the development of their ideas, and vision for ‘The Nest’ in other local spaces.

We believe this decision is in the best interests of TNWG and offers the best chance of realising our original aspiration and long-term vision.