A Christian charity in Scotland helps addicts to get well and reintegrate into the community with the assistance of an progressive rock-climbing scheme.
East Ayrshire Churches Homelessness Action (EACHa), in collaboration with local climbing organisation Above Adventure, continues to make a major impact through its New Heights programme, which helps recovering addicts construct resilience and self-confidence through free rock-climbing sessions.
EACHa, established in 2005 by Rev David Cameron, minister of New Laigh Kirk in Kilmarnock, operates as an ecumenical charity, bringing together 20 churches from various denominations to deal with the needs of vulnerable individuals inside the local people.
Labelled as a “powerful tool for transformation”, the charity’s programme extends beyond enhancing physical fitness by also in search of to precise God’s love through actions, rekindling hope, strengthening community connections, and cultivating potential.
According to Kris Fearon, EACHa’s development manager, the initiative is important in Kilmarnock, particularly in Shortlees and Onthank – areas rating inside the top 5 per cent of the Scottish Multiple Deprivation Index.
He elaborated, “This high level of deprivation often results in social challenges comparable to youth disengagement, limited access to recreational activities and increased risks of crime and substance abuse.
“We aim to encourage people to interrupt the cycle of deprivation, equipping them with the tools to construct a brighter future.”
To ensure accessibility, the initiative is promoted through schools, social media, direct family engagement and native services.
Mr Fearon encouraged the “wider church community to support New Heights – whether through prayer, volunteering or just spreading the word.”
“Together, we are able to create lasting change, transforming lives and strengthening the material of our communities,” he remarked.
This yr, New Heights is running in a former church from February to June 2025. Each session sees between 15 and 20 participants, a lot of whom have experienced homelessness and mental health struggles.
They are guided by experts and coaches while engaging in a variety of physical activities comparable to mountaineering, walking, bushcraft, paddleboarding, canoeing, orienteering, and abseiling.
According to EACHa’s 2024 social impact report, through the programme, participants are encouraged “to push their boundaries, develop latest skills, find empowerment in overcoming challenges,” gain “a network of encouragement through a supportive community of peers and volunteers,” and “learn team-work, goal-setting and perseverance” – all of that are critical life skills that contribute to “self-worth” and are essential “for recovery and reintegration into the community.”
The uniform reflection of the 61 participants within the 2024 project underscores the programme’s success: “New Heights showed me I’m able to greater than I ever thought and I’m climbing toward a greater future.”
EACHa’s use of out of doors activities “to develop life skills and aid the recovery journey” and “its efforts to advertise recovery through inclusion” has also been praised by a motion submitted within the Scottish Parliament by Brian Whittle, South Conservative MSP, with cross-party support.
The New Heights programme’s continuation has been ensured for an additional 12 months through the successful acquisition of a £9,886 grant from the National Lottery.
Expressing gratitude for the support, Mr Fearon, stated, “We would really like to increase our heartfelt due to Brian Whittle MSP, for his motion lodged within the Scottish Parliament, which recognises the impact of New Heights. We are deeply grateful for this recognition and ongoing support. We are thrilled to have secured funding to increase this initiative for the subsequent 12 months and we sit up for seeing the impact New Heights could have on people’s lives.”
Beyond New Heights, EACHa runs multiple initiatives to support vulnerable individuals in Kilmarnock.
The Friendly Fresh Start initiative helps people transition from homelessness to everlasting housing, providing 220 home starter packs in 2024 with essential items comparable to bedding, kitchenware, and toiletries.
The Community Friends Drop-In centre serves as a secure space offering meals and essential resources, distributing 2,383 food packs, and serving 4,383 meals last yr.
The Recovery Matters programme delivered 2,108 one-to-one support sessions to people recovering from addictions and facilitated 556 external referrals in 2024.
Reflecting on the charity’s impact, EACHa chairman Rev Cameron expressed, “I’m proud to reflect on a yr of growth, resilience, and deepened community impact. Through expanding services just like the Community Friends Drop-In and EACH Recovery Matters, we’ve got reached more people than ever, offering essential support to those facing homelessness, addiction and isolation.
“Our team, supported by dedicated volunteers and generous partners, has worked tirelessly to make sure that everyone who comes through our doors feels valued and connected. I’m immensely grateful to all who support our mission and I sit up for what we are going to accomplish together in the approaching yr,” he stated.
