PRYDE ARE PROUD WINNERS OF TPAS AWARD

 

Pennyburn Regeneration Youth Development Enterprise (PRYDE) was awarded the TPAS Best Practice Initiative Wider Action Award for their 10 year journey to convert a rundown pub in the heart of Pennyburn, Kilwinning into a vibrant community hub named ‘The Playz’. The renovation was funded by contributions from a range of partners, including the Scottish Government’s Wider Role Fund, Irvine Bay Regeneration Company and The Big Lottery Fund.

 

Irvine Housing Association’s Community Involvement Team nominated PRYDE for the award. They were shortlisted and went on to win at the awards ceremony in Dundee last month. The PRYDE Shadow Board, made up of the local young people who have been involved in the project since inception, collected the award.

 

PRYDE Board Member Ann Robertson MBE: “The young Shadow Board of PRYDE has been a credit to their community and their families. They have worked very hard over the past 10 years and two of the Shadow Board, have recently become full directors of the company. This award is a fitting accolade for the creation of a fantastic new community hub that is owned and operated by PRYDE, for the benefit of the wider community.” 

 

NicolaThom, Executive Director (Operations) at Irvine Housing Association and Chair of PRYDE’s Board accompanied the Shadow Board at the awards ceremony: “We are extremely proud of PRYDE’s achievement with The Playz. The transformation is incredible and the facility will be a great asset to the Pennyburn community. The Shadow Board have researched, designed, negotiated and planned every aspect of the project and will direct the future management of The Playz – they have worked so hard and are worthy winners of the award!” 

 

Walker, PRYDE Shadow Board Member collected the award: “To be nominated for this award was an amazing surprise for the Shadow Board of PRYDE, to actually win it was  just the best experience. We had a brilliant time at the awards ceremony with Nicola and Phyllis from IHA who nominated us. We would like to thank the Directors of PRYDE for their continued support.”

         

Years of studies and research have ensured that The Playz is tailored to the needs of the Pennyburn community. Services will include a community cafe, a learning suite, an audio suite, a training kitchen and the ability to use the area for social networking, events and gigs.

 

The Playz will also host community conferences, information events and health events.