Inspiring Ayrshire

A youth participation programme that is reaching and engaging under-represented young people across the Ayrshires

A group of young people work together on their social action project while at their youth club

Inspiring Ayrshire is a youth participation programme

building on the success of the UK-wide Inspire 2022 programme, where Youth Scotland supported young people from across Scotland to plan, design, pitch for, promote and deliver their own social action events.

Inspiring Ayrshire has been built from conversations with grassroots groups across Ayrshire. Young people told us they want something designed for their area, that fits wee towns and villages, and runs through youth groups, community centres and other local spaces. They’re ready to act as peer leaders, mentor others and take a hand in how the programme is delivered.

Our young people had a brilliant time being creative and having to work together whilst being supported by Youth Scotland’s youth participation framework.

YMCA Kilmarnock

Inspiring Ayrshire will:

  • Reach and engage under-represented young people across Ayrshire, who might miss out on national opportunities.
  • Provide iLead youth participation training to young people and workers to plan and run events
  • Directly support local, grassroots organisations in the Ayrshires
  • Take a place-based approach to re-connecting young people to their local communities
  • Sustain young people’s engagement in social action beyond the programme
Post-it note ideas from young people working together on their social action project while at their youth club

It's young people taking action in their community, and I think the huge thing is their voice has been heard.

Stewart, Youth Scotland Development Worker

Inspiring Ayrshire is made possible thanks to the Young Start Programme. Young Start aims to create opportunities for Scotland’s children and young people aged eight to 24 to help them realise their full potential. Young Start is a grants programme run by The National Lottery Community Fund, which distributes money from dormant bank accounts. Dormant accounts are deposits of money in bank and building society accounts where there has been no activity for 15 years or more.

The Young Start logo

Get involved

If you would like to get in touch about Inspiring Ayrshire, contact Stewart Bell below.

Stewart Bell