FUNDING has been granted from the Big Lottery Fund to make Girvan safe and accessible for everyone who lives in the town.

A study conducted by UWS has identified what makes people feel safe and secure in their own environment, whether they have dementia or other conditions to live with.

The results of this study will be published in due course and an action plan, which can be amended or completely changed, will be drawn up from the findings to make Girvan and South Carrick a secure and friendly place to live.

Irene Climie, explained: “We want Girvan to be safe and accessible. There are some people in the town with special needs and we want to make sure they are included.

“We want to make sure they don’t feel different from anyone else in the town. The research at UWS has been completed and we will see the results from that soon.

“That will give the Town Team the chance to see how we can help. We are working from the bottom up and will be giving people the chance to be heard. I am excited about that.”

UWS previously received funding from R.S. MacDonald to begin their research and funding from the Big Lottery will help put their findings into action.

Roddy McDonald said: “Part of the research involved interviewing people with disabilities and dementia. The findings will be made available in the next couple of months.

“An action plan is in progress but we will include those living with disabilities and dementia [in Girvan and South Carrick] as part of this and listen to what they think would make their community safer, accessible and friendly.

“If you get it right for these people, you will get it right for everyone. The action plan can be changed or amended.

“It will be owned by the community. This is the beginning of a partnership between UWS and the Girvan Town Team.”

It is hoped the plans will be made available soon to the community so they can begin making Girvan and South Carrick a safer and friendlier place to live for those living with dementia and other disabilities.