News

Business Club Ayrshire members pulled together to help Auchincruive based charity; River Garden. The charity provides a model of recovery that is refreshingly different. Not only are residents given much needed time to reflect on their lives and to grow and flourish, but they are given the means to do so through the communal support of their peers and their participation in on-site social enterprises over the course of 3 years. An approach and facility which is unique in its nature within the country.

River Garden were recently notified that they were in breach of SEPA regulations with regards to discharge from their septic tank which is crucial to operations. With funding already extremely tight, it wouldn't have been possible to have the necessary works carried out and the already financially stretched charity would be subjected to a hefty fine, leaving the entire project in peril. Business Club Ayrshire have stepped in to save the day. Club members have pulled their skills, resources, and time together to carry out required surveys, create detailed plans and drawings, and develop a solution. Using club contacts and funds to hire plant, machinery and materials and utilising volunteered labour from club members, a series of filtration trenches were created, and the charity is not only compliant with today’s regulation but also has piece of mind going forward as the project is future proof. Beyond the septic tank, Business Club Ayrshire have carried out repairs to the access road which was previously eroding and full of potholes. Tar planings were brought in, also using club funds and River Garden Staff and residents and club members grabbed shovels, rakes, and machinery to get the job done. The repairs will provide safe and secure access for residents, staff and visitors to the estate and café.

Jardine Simpson, General Manager at River Garden explained, ‘We are extremely grateful to Business Club Ayrshire for their continued support. Without such acts of kindness, we wouldn’t have been able to carry out the works.’. A spokesperson for the project added, ’We have such a powerful and unique facility here, in the heart of Ayrshire, providing a system with a proven track record that works for the residents and for the wider community. At River Garden, it’s not just about ticking boxes, it’s about fundamentally changing people’s lives. The café and wider estate also provide a welcome environment for local people to grab a bite to eat, relax and enjoy some of Ayrshire’s finest woodland’.

Business Club Ayrshire is a group of local businesses allowing members to socialise, raise awareness of their companies and services, and discuss wider business issues. Membership fees are utilised to manage the effective running of the group and to provide financial support to local charities. The group’s core values include working together to improve local business and to support projects in the wider community. providing a platform and strategy for members to build relationships, encourage and support each other and develop skills to grow.

The total project value is well in excess of £75k. This is the largest club project to date and one all members and connections can be very proud of. The club is looking forward to watching River Garden and it’s residents flourish in the coming years with our continued support.

The club would also like to thank Smith Contracts, ST Andrews and Drumclog Plant for their help and donations and Sharon Dowey MP for her support.