With nearly 100 years of combined service, the Community Resources team recently celebrated its 20th anniversary.
Working at the heart of our communities, the team is part of the Connected Communities service and is responsible for all community lettings and bookings in North Ayrshire.
Based in a centralised hub at Irvine’s Volunteer Rooms, their mission is to enhance the lives of residents and visitors by providing safe, clean, and comfortable accommodation for a range of learning, recreation, and well-being activities.
To reflect on their journey, we have created an informative timeline graphic highlighting the team’s significant milestones.
We caught up with valued team members who have exemplified our staff values of focus, passion, and inspiration over the past two decades.
Team Manager Donna Morrison shares: “From parties to pitches, corporate events to family celebrations, our team provides function halls, sports venues, and packages including kids’ parties and wedding packages available for booking across our six localities.
“I formed the central team back in 2004, and I’m delighted that many original staff members are still with us today.
“Together, we embarked on a journey to improve and streamline the administration and management of all facility lettings and resource management. Continuous improvement and supporting our communities have been our driving force since then.
“We are proud to have coordinated everything from toddler groups and yoga sessions to birthday parties, anniversaries, and weddings. We’ve also welcomed special guests such as Billy Connolly at Brodick Hall and former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon when we officially reopened Saltcoats Town Hall in 2018.”
Highlights along the way include establishing a centralised letting team in 2004 to streamline bookings and improve efficiency.
Between 2005-2007, under Donna’s leadership, the team implemented electronic staff scheduling, with a pivotal milestone occurring in 2009 when popular wedding packages were first introduced.
Business & Letting Officer Joanne Donohoe states: “Donna is a supportive manager who is always looking for innovative ways to streamline our operations. She is the glue that holds our team together.
“We are all very close and care deeply about the communities we serve.
“It has been our privilege to build our capacity year on year so that everyone can make the most of our diverse venues.”
The Kids Party Packages launched in 2013 have been a major success, generating significant returns for the Council to reinvest into communities.
Resource Officer Kevin Malone shares: “A significant development in Community Resources has been our Community Key Holding initiative. This empowers community groups by allowing them to open and close our venues without us needing to allocate resources to every booking.
Congratulations to Hugh!
“This model has improved partnership working and enhanced community empowerment. It has been a win-win situation,” Kevin continues.
“With Donna’s expertise, we were the first local authority to pilot this approach with low-risk venues such as sports pitches back in 2014.
“Since then, we’ve scaled up this model and achieved our goal earlier this year of having 100% of community associations signed up to community key holding agreements. It has been a game changer, with great feedback from others looking to follow our lead.”
Rhonda Leith, Head of Service for Connected Communities has expressed her gratitude to the team for their continued efforts to go above and beyond for our communities over the years.
She said: “While this timeline reflects many operational successes, I want to take this opportunity to thank Community Resources for their efforts in recent years, especially during the height of the pandemic. Their support has been invaluable.
“As many adapted to working from home, Community Resources bravely took on the task of coordinating the Council’s COVID-19 response alongside colleagues from other frontline services.
“Donna’s team assisted NHS Ayrshire and Arran and our Health and Social Care Partnership by setting up vaccination centres; they upskilled to offer enhanced cleaning services and helped source and distribute PPE required to keep schools and other venues operational during challenging times.”
Rebranding from Community Facilities to Community Resources in 2023 has made recent years busier than ever.
The team has been at the forefront of efforts to tackle inequalities during the Cost-of-Living crisis by enhancing capacity and offering facilities and resources to communities most in need. They also played a key role in establishing one of the Council’s first food larders in Kilwinning.
Rhonda adds: “It has been wonderful following their progress. As the team look ahead, Community Resources remains committed to leveraging their network of connections to respond effectively to North Ayrshire’s locality needs.
“In addition to managing community facilities operationally, with the help of the team, Connected Communities are proud to have further advanced the Council’s Period Dignity Campaign in collaboration with Facilities Management.
“This partnership ensures that we continue delivering a user-led operating model that meets community needs and ends period poverty.
“Thank you to the entire team for the work that they do. What Community Resources has achieved over the past 20 years is truly inspiring.”
If you’re not already doing so, why not give the Community Resources team a follow on social media? For a full list of venues see the community centres and halls section of the Council website.
If you’re planning a party in 2025, remember we have recently launched new kids party packages – find out more in the Latest News article.
The team’s longest-serving employee, Hugh Howie, Senior Venue Assistant (pictured) recently celebrated his 40th anniversary with the Council.
He said: “Growing up, I always enjoyed spending time at the local community centre.
“For me, West Kilbride Community Centre was a place where we could all be ourselves while contributing to our community. I started working there at age 16.
“Over the years, I’ve facilitated thousands of events and still take pride in being part of something so important to local residents. It’s brilliant working alongside such a supportive team; we all go the extra mile because we care deeply about our impact within the community.
“Much of my knowledge is stored in my head so I’ve started a new chapter at the Volunteer Rooms to share as much knowledge as I can with younger staff members and hopefully pass on my passion for the job.”
Congratulations Hugh! We appreciate you and all that you do!
Team Manager Donna concludes: “I am immensely proud of our collective achievements and personal growth each team member has experienced.
“From frontline staff to central teams, every member consistently delivers excellent services. Their dedication to going above and beyond for our priorities is truly commendable.
“I would like to also extend my sincere thanks to all our staff and partners. Your dedication, creativity, and unwavering commitment have been fundamental to our success.”
Learn more about the team’s contribution towards the Period Dignity campaign in the Latest News article when colleagues recently supported Environmenstrual Week.
“Our manager Donna is the glue that holds our team together. She is always coming up with exciting ideas to help empower our communities and us all to work together in smarter and more efficient ways.”Community Resources (whole team)
“I am immensely proud of our collective achievements and personal growth each team member has experienced. From frontline staff to central teams, every member consistently delivers excellent services. Their dedication to going above and beyond for our priorities is truly commendable. I would like to also extend my sincere thanks to all our staff and partners. Your dedication, creativity, and unwavering commitment have been fundamental to our success.”Team Manager, Donna Morrison