On The Ground
On The Ground is a new interview series where we will take a look into the lives of Arran people. Voice Reporter met up for a blether with Carol Norton, resident of Lamlash and stalwart of Arran CVS, for the first one:
When I was set the task by the Voice to find interesting local people to interview, for part of a new series of articles on interesting local people, a neighbour, Carol Norton came immediately to mind. Happily, she said yes and so I was invited to her cosy house in Lamlash for coffee.
Mylo the dog entertained us with circles of the living room and lots of kisses until he was bundled upstairs and I asked Carol to introduce herself.
‘My name’s Carol, I live in Lamlash, I’ve been on Arran for nearly fourteen years.’
What do you like best about Arran?
‘I feel safe here. It’s the reason I came here. It’s very peaceful, most of the time…’
You work for the Arran CVS?
‘Yes. They support groups and organisations across Arran. We are not Citizens Advice, although people think we are, we do have a policy, if anyone comes in, we will make sure they leave with what they need to know. We would never turn people away. We don’t do form filling, but we know people who do, and we signpost them.’
Do you think it was right, disbanding CAB services?
‘Before my time. It all comes down to funding, basically. I know it was run by volunteers, CAB had this vast wealth of knowledge, they got older, moved on, retired ‘
When you say support, what does that look like?
‘We find funding. Right now, Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing funding, 402 Thousand pounds for the whole of North Ayrshire , CVS are administering this fund , we are becoming experts at it ! It was born as a response to Covid, all the isolation and problems. It’s about early intervention in simple support groups with the goal of self supporting well being. We work with the groups, and they work with individuals.
We need volunteers and people to come along to projects. Then we can give feedback on numbers then they can get co current funding.’
How do you handle the personal pressures?
‘I just love it! And the more I work there the more I love it.
Vicky Yuill is a great leader. She always encouraged me to do training and said the more strings to your bow the better.’
That was my next question. Who inspires you.
‘Aye. Totally Vicky. Encouraged all the way.’
How do you de-stress?
‘Turn the house into a cinema.
Especially at the end of a project when my brains fried, my partner and I just chill out and watch movies. Ticking a job well done is the best feeling. Feedback is great too, when a group goes off into the sunset as it were, but they know where we are. We send out lots of info every week from our website. There’s a lot of information, check it out.’
Do you feel you are achieving your personal milestones on Arran?
‘I only ever had one. I was in homeless accommodation with my four year old son Aaron, not a lot of support, middle of winter, staying in the old Douglas hotel, in this wee bare room, baby in a cot beside me. Went out for a walk, drank some water from a stream and survived it and remember how safe I felt and how peaceful. I made it my life’s mission to be here. It took years. Now here I am, quite content.’
What’s your mantra?
‘Always be kind. I’m a big massive advocate for being kind. I held interviews last year and one candidate said:
‘I like to approach everything in a calm kind and gentle manner.’
I said come on board, join our team, because that’s us. A wee kind work family. It’s not that hard to show a bit of kindness, even when you can’t be arsed. ‘
We have a big hug as I leave and I thank her. I feel edified and reminded of the important things.
