AN Irvine-based arts group has received a big financial boost to help secure a bright future.

Impact arts is a community arts organisation which uses the arts and creativity to enable and empower social change.

It was one of fifteen community groups across Scotland to be selected to share funding of £80,000 to make a real difference in their local area.

The charity received £5,000 to support their Bright Future Initiative, a 12-week environmental employability programme supporting 30 young people aged between 16 -19 years from North Ayrshire who are not currently in education, employment or training.

Now in its fifth year, the awards programme aims to recognise charities and not for profit organisations for the invaluable contributions they make to their local communities.

Groups were invited to enter the awards programme under one of three categories; projects which help people to have a healthy relationship with money, projects which help people to improve their local environment and projects which help people into employment.

Debbie Crosbie, Group Chief Operating Officer at Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks and Chair of the Yorkshire and Clydesdale Bank Foundation, said: “Clydesdale Bank’s Spirit of the Community Awards aim to recognise and support the vital contribution that voluntary and charitable projects make to their local communities.

“This is our opportunity to say thank you to the incredible community groups across Scotland for the inspiring work they undertake.

“All of the successful organisations are extremely deserving winners which have been recognised for their role in their local communities with these awards from Clydesdale Bank.”