AN IRVINE girl is urging more young people to volunteer in their community.

Amy Cowan has undertaken a number of volunteer roles across North Ayrshire over the last few years.

These include working with the North Ayrshire Youth Council, the Ayrshire Youth Arts Network and the Girl Guides.

The 17-year-old also works with Young Scot where she is part of a focus group which gives participating organisations advice on how best to engage with young people.

And Amy has called on more youngsters to take up volunteering to not only make a difference in their community but boost their confidence and make new friends.

She said: “I’ve always enjoyed using my spare time to help out in my local community and I have been part of the Girl Guides since I was five, so it seemed like a natural progression to volunteer for them.

“From a personal point of view, it’s also been brilliant to work within the North Ayrshire Youth Council and Ayrshire Youth Arts Network, both of which have given me opportunities to grow my own skills base.

“Through the Youth Council I am able to give the young people of North Ayrshire a voice by meeting with local councillors to discuss and debate relevant youth issues as well as put forward the questions that need answered.

“The Arts Network, where I am part of a deciding funding panel for local arts programmes, has given me vital skills in business and finance that I am positive will serve me well in the future.

“My main message to any young person considering volunteering would be to go for it!

“Not only have I made new friends and increased in confidence, I am also gaining tools that will help me in my future career.” Amy’s plea comes after a new survey has showed that 45 per cent of young Scots have formally volunteered.

Commissioned by Volunteer Scotland, the results from the Young People in Scotland survey also found that 59 per cent of these young volunteers, aged between 11 and 18, are volunteering on a regular basis.

Helen Harper from Volunteer Scotland said the results are a positive reflection on young Scots.

“It is hugely encouraging to see so many 11 to 18 year olds giving up their time to help others,” said Helen.

“Whether it is assisting at a sports club or spending time with the residents of a local care home, the survey has shown a variety of areas of interest for young volunteers, from sport and social clubs to political groups, care for the elderly and animal welfare.

“One of the aims of Volunteer Scotland is to showcase the benefits volunteering can bring both to the individual and the group or organisation they are giving their time to and the survey definitely shows the younger generation is leading the way.”