Ayr student's plea: 'Don’t close this crucial Gateway'

May 7 2008 By Danielle Farrel, Ayrshire Post

FOR the young people of South and East Ayrshire involved in the Gateway project, it is a vital model of support as they move from childhood to adulthood.

So the scheme faces a daunting future without funding after cash finally ran out last week.

All young people face immense challenges in working towards achieving their goals in terms of their education, health, personal development and wellbeing.

This process is even more challenging when the young people have a disability and are making the same journey, which is why the support provided by the Gateway project is so valued.

The seven-year-old scheme was previously funded in partnership by Irvine’s Red Cross Options for Independence and GlaxoSmithKline.

It offered a personal centred plan for each individual, designed to fulfil their potential and build their self-esteem.

Youngsters like Stephen Johnstone and Chloe McKee, pictured, are among the many to have benefited from the scheme.

They say that self confidence and life skills are offered in abundance.

After witnessing the success of the first stages, GlaxoSmithKline agreed to fund the project to the tune of £500,000, allowing the project to branch out to all parts of Ayrshire.

GlaxoSmithKline backed the scheme because it complemented their mission statement.

At the time, Katie Pinnock, responsible for funding small projects within the UK, said: “Our global mission is to improve the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.

“We are looking for those projects that are tailored to meet the needs of the communities they support, and in general promote health and wellbeing within those communities.”

However, the responsibility for funding must now fall elsewhere if the Gateway project is to survive.

Ms Pinnock revealed: “The original idea when we first embarked on the funding was that the service would eventually be well enough developed for statutory services to see the benefit of including this kind of project for young people as part of its core services.”

And Roni Hovey, manager of the Gateway project, added: “We are currently on a strong marketing campaign to ensure sustainability from North, South and East Ayrshire Councils to continue operating the Gateway project.

“The best thing for me about the project is being able to support young people to have their first taste of freedom and being there when they experienced things for the first time, watching them grow and develop into confident, competent adults who are able to live life to the full.”

For now, those involved in the project can only hope that they will receive more funding so that their achievements and fulfilments can continue to develop.

Contact Vicky Newall on 01294 317085 if you can help the project.