When we took over the former Barony St John church hall building on Princes Street, Ardrossan, back in December 2014, it had a lean-to building in the courtyard between the hall and the main church, which had apparently been used as a nursery.

The outward facing wall of this building formed a wall including a gate into our courtyard area.

Unfortunately, this lean-to building was in a very bad state. The roof leaked in several places, there was extensive woodworm, wet rot in most of the roof beams, and the electrics kept short-circuiting.

On top of all that, the external walls were continually damp, the wooden window frames were rotten with broken window panes, and the lintels were too short making the whole building unsafe.

It is utterly amazing that this building was ever used as a nursery, but I guess standards were different in the 1970s.

Our plan was to demolish the lean-to building and build a new café extension stretching from our existing corridor and the door into the courtyard, to the existing outside wall of the lean-to.

But we want it to be no ordinary café. Instead, we want to see it focus on improving people’s wellbeing.

We aim to provide games, quizzes and fun events to promote laughter, social interaction and positive mental wellbeing.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald: The demolished lean-toThe demolished lean-to (Image: SCPS)

We will also provide access to tai chi, art therapy, creative writing therapy, and hot/cold therapies, as well as self defence training, fitness classes and our centre’s gym area to promote physical wellbeing.

With planning permission granted last February, a demolition warrant granted last April, and the building warrant granted last June, we have now, at last, raised enough funds to begin work on our wellbeing café.

Last Monday, the lean-to was demolished, and we are now in the process of repositioning the gas and water pipes to enable us to install the concrete foundations.

If any companies, builders or tradesmen would like to help us achieve our goal, please get in touch via our email info@ScotCPS.org.uk as we will need help with plastering, electrics, painting, plumbing and manual work over the next few months. Every little helps.

Also, if you would like to know more about our charity or the progress we are making with our Wellbeing Café, please search social media for ScotCPS or visit our website at www.ScotSCPS.org.uk.

In the meantime, keep smiling and stay safe.