A new shop has opened on Cumbrae to help island residents navigate their way through the cost-of-living crisis.

The Millport Community Shop, at Garrison House in Glasgow Street, was set up in response to islanders expressing concern about the tough financial times many people are experiencing.

It aims to support residents, reduce food waste on the island and give people access to food with dignity.

The shop is not a food bank, and you don’t need any sort of referral to get involved. All you need to do to start using the shop is register your household – which is free and takes no time at all.

Those with a family of up to four people pay £4 for 24 points, which equates to groceries worth £12, or £6 for 36 points for families of more than four people, enough for £18 of shopping.

(Image: North Ayrshire Council)

On the shelves and in the freezers you will find all the basics, including meat, tinned goods like soup, beans and custard; cereal; cordial; long-life milk; tea and coffee; fruit and vegetables.

There is no fresh bread or milk.

The shop is part of North Ayrshire Council’s Fairer Food network of larders and pantries that operate in communities with the help of community partners and organisations to help alleviate food poverty – aggravated by the current Cost-Of-Living crisis.

The council’s top priorities include tackling child poverty and supporting residents through the cost-of-living crisis. The three key drivers of child poverty are income from employment, income from social security and the cost of living.

Retired police officer Joy Hamilton, who works as a KA Leisure fitness instructor, is chairwoman of the project, and Barbra Ferguson is its secretary.

(Image: North Ayrshire Council)

So far, more than 20 people have signed up.

Joy explained: “It has been busy, which is encouraging, and some people have been in to make pay-it-forward donations.

"These are people who have paid £4 for someone else’s shopping, and we use this to help those who really need support.

“Here on the island there is only oil and electricity for fuel. There is no gas, and one in four people are living in fuel poverty, so we are aware that some people on Cumbrae could really do with some help.

“People are getting three times the value of what they pay when they use the Community Shop.

"There is no criteria for registering; we are simply here to help people who really need it.

“The shop is run by locals for locals and is not designed to impact on any of the wonderful local businesses we have.”

The shop is open on Tuesdays from 10.30am to 1.30pm and on Fridays from 10am to 1pm and islanders can pop in any time during these hours to shop, register or find out more.

North Ayrshire Council leader Marie Burns, who is chair of the council’s tackling child poverty and cost-of-living board, said: “It is vital that we continue to support each other and help to raise awareness of facilities – like Millport Community Shop – that are available to help make life easier for residents.

“Shops like this, where people can get much-needed grocery top-ups to help them make it through the week, are a great way to improve access to food with dignity.”

Currently, donations of fresh fruit and veg would be greatly appreciated from local allotments or gardeners with too much produce.

This would be handed out to shoppers for free along with their groceries, and Joy and Barbra will share surplus food with other island organisations and businesses to ensure nothing goes to waste.

Joy and Barbra would love to hear from locals who can spare some time to volunteer at the shop. If you have time to spare and are keen to support the venture, please pop in during its opening hours to discuss volunteering or get in touch via the 'Millport Community Shop' page on Facebook.