OVER 100 youngsters from across North Ayrshire were recently celebrated at an event for the outstanding contribution they make to North Ayrshire.

The event, which took place at Ardeer Community Centre, invited youngsters from the area’s secondary schools, community groups and members of the local community at the conference which was themed on ‘equality and participation’.

The thought-provoking event saw them take part in a number of workshops aimed at getting their views on topics affecting their age group, including locality planning and mental health.

It also gave way to the launch of the new Youth Citizenship and Participation Strategy, which run until 2019. Titled ‘STEP UP, SPEAK OUT’, the colourful document aims to inspire young people to get involved and play an active role in their communities.

James Simmons was also announced as the winner of the Alex Pettigrew Award at the annual celebration. The Award is presented to a young person who has made a positive contribution to their community, and James has certainly done just that through his involvement in various youth groups in the three towns area.

North Ayrshire’s Youth Champion, Councillor Ruth Maguire, said: “The annual Youth Conference is one of my favourite events of the year as we get to recognise and celebrate the outstanding contribution that our young people make to North Ayrshire.

“As a council we’re committed to providing our young folk with plenty of opportunities to get involved and help make decisions on issues that affect them and our new Citizenship and Participation Strategy sets out exactly how they can go about doing that.

“I hope the strategy inspires more of our young people to step up and speak out.”