Three Towns drama company Triple Act has received a lifeline £10,000 grant to keep it going.

The North Ayrshire Ventures Trust (NAVT) confirmed the vital grant this week, months after the Herald revealed the company was on the verge of closure due to rising costs.

Triple Act provides a wide range of creative opportunities for people across North Ayrshire; particularly to those affected by and living in areas of multiple deprivation.

The NAVT funding will help it continue its established P1-P3 Drama Group and Junior and Senior Youth Theatre programmes, which provide a range of performing arts opportunities for young individuals aged 5-18.

Triple Act's creative learning officer Chloe O'Hanlon said: "We have been so lucky to receive an award from the North Ayrshire Ventures Trust and we are so grateful our application was successful. 

"The funding will be able for us to continue for the foreseeable future, however, this funding gives us only a short extension to our programme and our organisation.

"The funding supports our organisation to continue applying for other funding opportunities."

The company was formed in 2015 to bring the arts to people in Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston.

Since then it has relied on lottery money, council funding and donations from charitable foundations to keep afloat.

However the pandemic, state of the economy and increases in the cost-of-living have caused donations to dry up for the company, which is based in Princes Street in Ardrossan.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald: Triple Act

In May of this year, Andy Gale, chair of Triple Act trustees, said it was "probable" they would have to shut down after the school holidays in October.

Three members of the Triple Act staff have already lost their jobs as part of cost cutting measures.

The NAVT  grant programme was developed to enable voluntary, community and social enterprises in North Ayrshire to explore new opportunities to help them grow in size and improve long-term sustainability.

Councillor Alan Hill, cabinet member for communities and islands, said: “We are delighted to be supporting Triple Act as they do such a fantastic job for the Three Towns and wider community.

“Triple Act provide performing arts classes for families at low or no cost in the Three Towns area and deserve enormous credit for the work they have carried out.  

“They very much align to our own priorities here at North Ayrshire Council as they recognise the importance of wellbeing and developing young people’s skills.

“North Ayrshire Ventures Trust is there to help groups like them develop and the funding will help them help others. We look forward to hearing from the group and what they have been up to over the coming weeks and months.”

Andy Gale, of Triple Act, added: “Many thanks to the board of the NAVT for awarding this funding. We are absolutely delighted to have this the funding in place to help us continue with the work we are doing with our young people.”

If you would like to apply for NAVT funding, please email infonavt@north-ayrshire.gov.uk