The team at North Ayrshire Council’s Equal Specialist Employability Support (SES) appealed for donations to its annual Selection Box Appeal this year – and local businesses did not disappoint.

Council staff have delivered almost 6,000 selection boxes to primary schools and nurseries as an early Christmas treat for children.

The Equal programme is a supported employment service that guides people with long-term health conditions and disabilities into work and training under the banner of the Employability service’s Your Next Move, Working North Ayrshire programme.

Based at Lochshore Park in KIlbirnie, the service offers a wide range of tailored support to get people across North Ayrshire back into work, start work for the first time or take a step up the career ladder.

This year’s Selection Box Appeal saw 5,800 being donated by local employers in recent weeks, and these have now been handed out to 25 primary schools and early learning centres so that every child has a sweet treat for Christmas.

As well as local schools and early years centres, organisations including The Salvation Army, Unity Carers North Ayrshire, Spark of Genius and the Council’s social care team also received selection boxes to give out.

“Once again, we are absolutely delighted with the outcome of the Equal team’s annual appeal, which helps to bring a little festive cheer to children across North Ayrshire. I would like to thank all of the local businesses who generously made donations. There are far too many to thank individually, but there will be an event held at the start of next year to show our appreciation to everyone for their kindness,” said Councillor Tony Gurney, Cabinet Member for Green Environment and Economy.

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North Ayrshire Council’s Employability Service delivers a range of support through its Your Next Move, Working North Ayrshire programme. Contracted partners delivering this programme include We Work for Families and CEIS Ayrshire, who contribute to delivering a wide range of support to help individuals prepare and progress into employment.

To access any of the opportunities delivered by Your Next Move, Working North Ayrshire please email the team. You can also find out how to get help with with things like CVs, application forms, Modern Apprenticeships, paid work experience, interview techniques and secure employment on the council’s website.