AN EAST Ayrshire group is celebrating a 'milestone' after being awarded a grant.

Kilmarnock Kinship Carers have been given £20,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund.

The grant has allowed the group to secure a larger space at the CentreStage community hub in Kilmarnock.

The new facility, which was officially unveiled on the group's 10th anniversary, has a games room, chill room, playroom, meeting room, and kitchen.

Kilmarnock Kinship Carers was founded more than 10 years ago by Nancy Kershaw, a 'dedicated' kinship carer for the past 18 years.

Nancy said: "We look forward to new beginnings and extending our support to kinship carers in the wider community.

"If you have full-time care of other family members who cannot live with their birth parents for any reason, please come and join us and have a chat with others in similar situations."

She started the group after realising the lack of resources available for those caring for children who cannot live with their birth parents.

All of the additional space will allow them to expand their services, providing even more tailored support for kinship families across East Ayrshire and beyond.

Fiona McKenzie OBE, founder and chief of engagement at CentreStage, said: "We are proud to welcome Kilmarnock Kinship Carers into their new home.

"It’s inspiring to see this vital community group, led by the wonderful Nancy, continue their work supporting carers and kinkids across East Ayrshire.

"We look forward to seeing them thrive in this new chapter and are committed to supporting them every step of the way."