A place for every female in Ayr
Women’s Hub opens its doors in the town centre
The door is wide open at the Ayrshire Women’s Hub.
Former Women’s Aid worker Angie- Leigh McPike has created a place for every female in Ayr.
With friendly Lloyd the French bulldog greeting visitors and cosy Chesterfield sofas dotted around, the Arran Mall venue is an inviting space with a bohemian vibe.
Energetic Angie- Leigh has managed to redecorate the derelict floor thanks to the help of the community payback team, tradespeople and generous businesses.
The walls are coated in gentle green and lilac punctuated by matching coloured pallets. Inspiring messages are displayed and windows overlook the town rooftops.
The hub will offer get togethers for ladies as well as come to the aid of those in need.
Despite the hub not being officially open yet Angie- Leigh has already received 60 female referrals needing guidance. A dozen men have also benefitted so far.
Angie- Leigh, 40, said: “Our motto is empowered women empower women. I’ll never turn anyone away. We have 10 to 12 volunteers coming in every day. We couldn’t have carried out this project without the community payback team. They undertook about 1,700 hours of work.”
So far clients have included young women coming out of care who need pointers on how to live independently. Another client ran out of gas for weeks.
A community cafe offering cookery lessons and meals should be up and running soon.
A class on covering old armchairs is underway.
A total of 111 volunteers have pledged to help run the varied services on the hub’s menu so far.
Angie- Leigh said: “It is getting bigger every day. We are getting some of the most complex cases. “
The hub is accepting donations of food, clothes and toiletries to offer struggling families.. Currently the hub is open on weekdays but it aims to extend hours to seven days and nights from the summer.
Angie- Leigh is awaiting flooring to add the finishing touch. A kitchen and bar have already been installed. As well as a large open plan area there are private rooms for therapies and confidential counselling. The mum of one said getting a wood burner installed would complete the dream. A washing machine and shower will be available for families.
Boogie Bounce classes are already taking place.
A fun fundraiser is also on the horizon with men donning heels to walk a mile in aid of the hub,
Men are challenged to ‘ walk a mile in her shoes.’
It will take place on Sunday, May 6 at 12pm at Blackburn car park in Ayr.
To learn more and get involved visit: www. facebook. com/ ayrshire womens hub or telephone: 07495310364.