European Year of
Volunteering 2011
   
 

 

  
 

GAIN is a Registered
Charity SC029574

  
     
 

"Two of the greatest gifts we can give our children are roots and wings"

  
 

Hodding Carter

  
 

See Also
GAIN-NESS
 
The Eoropie Dunes Play Park is managed by a charity called Guth Airson Iarrtasan Nis, or 'GAIN' as it's more commonly called.  The charity's name means,  'A Voice for the Needs of Ness' in the native Scots Gaelic language that is still spoken extensively in rural Lewis.
 Set up in 1998 “to enhance play and leisure facilities and encourage environmental awareness,” GAIN strives to be a user-led voluntary organisation that offers safe and engaging outdoor play and leisure facilities that are sympathetic to its natural 'machair' and dune surroundings.
 

A group of mothers who had no local playground for their children established GAIN in 1998 to work towards creating a modern play and leisure space on ground adjacent to the beach at Eoropie, which was kindly donated by the crofting families who traditionally worked the sandy 'machair' land along the west coast of Lewis.

At the time, the nearest quality play facility was situated in the island's main town of Stornoway, which meant a 60 mile round trip for families.  A survey of parents of pre-school children at the local nursery demonstrated a desire for a local play space and a willingness to work toward this aim by forming GAIN to research and bring forward the project.

  

 

  

Aerial view of Eoropie village and park (shaded)

 

Following a huge effort by the GAIN team and volunteers within the community an exciting play space was created from the living earth, with every effort being made to develop the site sympathetically and in keeping with the contours and natural environment of the existing landscape.  Sourcing play equipment from sustainable timber materials wherever possible, and employing specialist contractors when required, the Eoropie Dunes now offers something for everyone; with a fully-fenced traditional playground, a free-play area with a zip-wire, safe tunnels, an embankment slide, a cycle & skateboard zone, a maze, adventure trail, with much more to be discovered as visitors venture through the extensive site. 

The children have proved to be a valuable asset in the planning, design and project phase. They have enthusiastically helped with fund raising and their on-going input is valued by the Management Committee.

The Eoropie Dunes Park uses natural golden sand as safe surfacing, together with high quality timber play equipment that blends in with the natural surroundings. The park is a wild-life haven where children can watch the wildlife, run about and explore, enjoying the freedom to play in the streams and learn through play about nature. The 4 acre site is completely free to the public and open all year round, as well as being accessible and there to be enjoyed by every age and ability.

GAIN works hard to promote partnership working. From inception GAIN has built robust links to other voluntary and statutory organisations and individuals. A key partner is NHS Western Isles where we work closely with the Health Promotion Department of the Health Board.

You are welcome to read through the

GAIN Annual Report 2009
(PDF download  838Kb)
 
Youngsters proving that exercise can be fun
GAIN is supported by CHEX (Community Health Exchange) and has been involved in some of its initiatives, such as 'Meeting the Shared Challenge' and its e-bulletin 'Snippets, which highlights projects and share best practice.  We are also members of the Scottish Healthy Living Centre Alliance and Lewis and Harris Youth Club Association and Youth Scotland who also provide support.  Survey findings revealed that 29% of adults who used the park noted a change in their fitness level, while 21% reported improvements in the overall fitness of their children since they started regularly using the park for exercise and fun.

We’ve also taken initial steps towards becoming a more sustainable organisation, acknowledging that our individual and collective actions all have an impact on our environment, social interaction and the local economy.  This is reflected in our Sustainable Community Action Plan, which is available as a PDF download