What we do
This confidential and free service is open to all.
We are open on Thursdays from 2.00pm-3.30pm.
You can get advice and support on challenges you
might be facing, including:
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Social issues such as Attendance Allowance
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Financial issues such as debt and fuel poverty
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Mobility/transport issues
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Accessibility issues, Blue Badge
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We can also make referrals to specialist services if needed.
Please pop in and have a chat.
Simply Support at
The Hub
Events and activities at The Hub
We host talks on topics ranging from astrology to philosophy. Some of these are delivered in partnership with Opportunities in Retirement. If you have an idea for a talk, please contact us.
We offer The Hub as a meeting place for non-profit making clubs and groups on the island. If your group would like to use this space, please contact us.
At the Hub, we also support Cycling Without Age Scotland a non-profit global initiative where volunteers take older people and those with mobility difficulties out on ‘trishaw’ cycle rides.
The Cumbrae Forum
Charity Shop
Our shop is a busy and fun place to be on the island. Come in and find a vintage treasure or bag a bargain.
We have pre-loved homeware, crockery, jewellery, one-off collectables, books, jigsaws, toys and much more.
If you have clean and useable donations, please bring them in.
Lunch Club
We run a Wednesday Lunch Club from September to June to give people on the island a regular forum to meet, have a chat and enjoy themselves. We subsidise the cost of the lunch club and we are delighted that The Newton Bar offers us the food at cost. Annual membership is £15 and you can find out how to join here.
We organise regular trips and outings. These are offered to members first and then to the rest of the island. We have been to Callendar, Cardwell bay, Culzean Castle and Dumfries House in the past, and we have plans for exciting trips in the future.
We are deeply grateful to the National Lottery for their grant of £34 000 to run our lunch club for 2025. This has freed up our income from our charity shop, giving us the financial ability to help so many more people in our community. Thank you!
Our campaigns
Community Shop
We work with Millport Community Shop to fund regular food parcels for those who are registered on the island. This vital service has become even more needed in the cost of living crisis.
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At the Garrison House
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Opening hours: Tue 10:30 - 13:30, Fri 10:00 - 13:00
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If you’d like to make a food donation please take non perishable items to the Community Shop.
Plant to plate
Plant to Plate is a partnership with Cumbrae Primary School and Cumbrae Parish Church.
Volunteers work with children and their teacher once a week in term time to teach them how to grow their own food.
The polycrub and outdoor classroom allow them to work outside even when it’s raining and to experience every part of growing fruit and vegetables and keeping the garden tidy.
Pyjamas for Christmas
Every year since 2022, in response to the cost of living crisis, we decided to give every island child a Christmas bag with pyjamas, socks, a book and chocolates. From nursery to playgroup to primary to secondary, we manage to find something that would suit our 75 youngsters. Secondary school pupils received a gift card. The response from families has been wonderful.
Christmas vouchers
Every year since 2022, we have given every member of The Cumbrae Forum a £20 Christmas voucher to spend on the island. This is to help people at a time when they have had many calls on their finances, as well as to promote and support our island economy.
“It was such a lovely idea. It made the run up to Christmas feel really caring."
Cumbrae resident
"It was great, we had people coming in we wouldn’t normally see.”
Cumbrae Butcher
"I treated myself and went to the podiatrist"
Cumbrae resident
Supporting other campaigns and activities
The Cumbrae Forum often offers support to other community activities on the island as well as donating to global campaigns. Examples include:
2025
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Working with a local music group 'The Violin Workshop' and supporting violin lessons to all islanders
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Funding school trip to the Science Centre in Glasgow.
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Funding Easter and Summer camp run by KA Leisure.
2024
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Roller skate donations to Millport Youth Club for local children.
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Purchased 3 sewing machines for the Primary school.
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Funded Summer camp run by KA Leisure.
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Microphone donations to the local primary school for their Matilda musical production.
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Sponsored school children on a cinema visit to the Screen Machine on the island.
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Primary and pre school age children were given a £10 voucher for use in shops that sell ice cream.
2023
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We were awarded a grant to buy laptops for the community by North Ayrshire Council and made these available for community learning purposes.
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King Charles' Coronation celebration event.
2022
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Funding an event for the Queen’s Jubilee Celebration in June
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We funded tickets for members to attend the Cathedral of The Isles Summer Fayre.
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We sponsored Cumbrae’s public toilets when they were on the verge of being closed.
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We gave money to the appeal for Ukraine.
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We gave money to the Turkey and Syria emergency appeal.
Annual
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Since 2024 we sponsor a week of KA Leisure activities for Primary school children held in the Garrison grounds. Lunch is also provided for the children who attend.
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Crowning of the Cumbrae Queen. In May 2023, Allanah and 2024, Zoe took on the role. They were both treated to a ride in an open top car and afternoon tea.
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Since 2015 we sponsor Year 5 children to travel across to Largs for swimming lessons.
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We sponsor annual day trips for Primary children.
What we did in lockdown
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We worked with Millport Support Group to fund food bags for those who were shielding as well as other individuals and families in financial need.
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Our volunteers made weekly phone calls to check in on every member and keep people connected.
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Our volunteers delivered the Library Service to people’s homes, keeping in touch with members of the community who couldn’t get out and about.
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We delivered members food bags at Christmas.
Find out what's happening on our calendar here.