@NAyrshirePEAR, a national charity and local provider of social care services has received a significant funding boost thanks to the Irvine Locality Partnership 📣 The Partnership presented the proposal for Turning Point Scotland North Ayrshire Prevention, Early intervention and Recovery (PEAR) Service, at a recent Cabinet meeting, where £96,112 funding was unanimously approved 🙌 Allocated via the Council’s Community Investment Fund, the funding boost has been used to establish a brand-new community-based college course for Irvine residents in recovery from substance or alcohol use. Named ‘Pathways to Progress’, the course has been developed based on an already successful model in South Ayrshire and aims to address a current gap in employment support for local residents in recovery. Gary Douglas, PEAR Service Manager said: “We believe that inclusion and community is key for people to begin those successful steps towards recovery. “We engage with all of the individuals who use the service and encourage this course at Ayrshire College that will benefit people in their recovery journey and also will help them to build the foundations for a promising future.” The PEAR service promotes a culture of recovery across North Ayrshire and offers support to any individual that is concerned about their alcohol and or other drug use. Based between the nearby Ayrshire College (Kilwinning) and Fullarton Community Hub, the new college course will help the students from Irvine to become active and successful citizens, empowering them to take the next step in their employment journey. PEAR have used the CIF funds to employ a Peer Lead Practitioner with lived experience of alcohol and other drug use for two years, as well as covering associated costs for resources, room hire and national support costs 👏 #CommunityEmpowerment #supportingourcommunity #communityinvestmentfundna