Open Doors is a new community hub in the heart of Kilmarnock town centre which will provide a safe place where people can access a wide range of activities and supports aimed at providing health and social benefits, improving life chances and signposting to opportunities within the community.

Open Doors will not only further the priorities identified by the community but offer much needed community led activities. This joined up approach to service delivery within a one stop facility would ensure maximum use of existing resources and improved accessibility to service provision.

The Open Doors team will offer intensive holistic support and engagement designed to help people overcome loneliness and isolation, promote inclusion and remove barriers to engagement and community involvement.

We are planning to open the doors to provide valuable access to services within the local community including:

 Training and learning opportunities
 Volunteering opportunities
 Community Café and Food Pantry
 Meeting space for community organisations and partner agencies
 Youth and Justice support
 Recovery support
 Homelessness services and supports
 Peer support
 Advice sessions and drop in support
 Homeless health support

MEET THE TEAM

Helen McCabe, 

Partnership Manager Volunteering

I have worked for over fifteen years within a few local authorities and have an extensive knowledge of housing, homelessness, benefits and race equality mainstreaming.  My previous work experience includes working with vulnerable people from a wide range of diverse backgrounds and cultures.

My experience within the voluntary sector started over seven years ago supporting diverse communities across Scotland and leading on various ethnic minority projects with a focus on increasing access to primary services and employment opportunities across Scotland.

I am delighted to join the CVO team as the new Partnership Manager for Volunteering. This is an exciting new role where I will be instrumental in supporting our vision for an East Ayrshire Volunteering Strategy which includes diversity at the heart of volunteering for all.

I will be working collaboratively with new and existing partners and stakeholders who can provide volunteering opportunities and will support volunteers to access opportunities enabling them to contribute and support their wider communities.

If you are interested in either being involved in providing volunteering opportunities or volunteering please feel free to get in touch with me on Helen.mccabe@cvoea.co.uk or call Open Doors on 01563 550391.

Jean Hamilton, 

Community Engagement Worker

I have over 10 years’ experience working in addictions recovery and most recently as  Community Connector Assistant.  I am passionate about supporting people to make positive changes in their lives and I feel privileged to be able to follow them through their journey. If I was to use three words to describe my work ethic it would be diligence, approachable and compassionate.

In my personal life, I like to relax through gardening, meditation and walking.  I like to share these activities with others to help them see the wellbeing benefits for themselves.   I started a walking group at Newmilns about three years ago for anyone in the community to join and this allowed me to combine my love of gardening and the environment and help with planting flowers and trees to contribute to the environment.  My favourite quote is “Gratitude is Attitude”

I am excited to join the CVO Open Doors team and to start my role as Community Engagement Worker. We have some really exciting activities planned and I will be contacting anyone in the community who would like to get involved in some of our activities.  If you are interested or would like to know more please feel free to get in touch with me at Jean.Hamilton@cvoea.co.uk

David Skilling,

Community Development Worker

I have worked for the CVO for eight years and have experience working within the GRAFT Project, East Ayrshire Foodbank and latterly as a Community Connector. My experience in community development started when I volunteered within the GRAFT Project and from there I went on to complete my Degree in Community Development at Glasgow University.

As part of my role at Open Doors I will be working with the people who engage with us on a range of issues from employment, benefits, volunteering opportunities to engaging in activities within Open Doors. I am excited to be part of this new adventure and look forward to meeting you. If you are interested or would like to know more please feel free to get in touch with me at David.Skilling@cvoea.co.uk