Doon Valley Leisure Centre's pool will be closed for essential maintenance. Works are expected to be completed in approx 3 weeks and should re-open mid June. Apologies for any inconvenience. We will post updates on re-opening as soon as more information is available. Fitness classes, gym and sports halls remain operational as normal.
There is no south mobile library service this week due to staffing. Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause. The service will be operational again from Mon 12th July as normal.
Volunteering
Our volunteers take part in a wide range of projects here at East Ayrshire Leisure and we are constantly working to develop our Volunteering Programme to provide new opportunities. If you would like to apply for any of these roles, please email EALvolunteering@eastayrshireleisure.com
Coming Soon
Athletics Coaching Volunteers
Irvine Valley Path Warden Scheme
Racing Events Volunteer (Summer 2023)
Download the Volunteer Handbook to find out more about East Ayrshire Leisure, our vision mission and values, what you can expect as a volunteer and what support we’ll give you.
Friends of the Dean
There are various ways that you can become a Friend of Dean Castle Country Park. The Friends of the Dean are people who contribute their time and skills to make Dean Castle Country Park even better. There are opportunities to volunteer outdoors in the Park and inside Dean Castle.
Outdoor Conservation Group
The Outdoor Conservation Group has been running since 2017 and has 12 spaces available on each volunteer session. This informal group meets on the first Tuesday and last Sunday of every month and tackles outdoor nature and maintenance projects in the Country Park. Read more in the Role Summary
Pollinators Garden Volunteers
Are you passionate about gardening? Help us care for the newly redesigned pollinators garden at Dean Castle Country Park. This garden was replanted in 2020 as habitat for pollinating insects and as a quiet, pleasant area near our busy playpark. Read more in our Role Summary
Textile Team
Dean Castle’s Textile Team are based in laundry buildings and gatehouse of the castle. They continue to work on the medieval curtains which brought the team together as well as costumes, livery and the recently completed flag to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of Kilmarnock Football Club. Visitors to Dean Castle will see their work on display throughout the Castle, in particular the banners, cushions and armoured horse in the Great Hall. The textile team is fully staffed at the moment but interested volunteers can join a waiting list, read more here
Castle Visitor Experience Volunteer
If you love castles and history, learning new skills and talking to the public, this could be the volunteer role for you. Help us tell the numerous and varied stories of Dean Castle, its inhabitants and first class
museum collections. Read more in our Role Summary.
Castle Kitchen Garden Volunteer
There is also an opportunity for a volunteer gardener to tend to the Castle’s kitchen garden, which has recently been replanted with fruits, flowers and herbs. This is a summer time role, assisting our team in keeping the garden looking beautiful for visitors. Read more in our Role Summary.
Friends of the Dean Biodiversity Survey Volunteers
We are carrying out biodiversity surveying throughout the summer to measure the health of the habitats in the Country Park. If you would like to become a Citizen Scientist and brush up on your survey skills, you can learn more in our Role Summary.