YOUNG people were inspired in Alloa at the weekend to deliver transformational projects on issues they are passionate about.

The young people at the town's Connect youth charity teamed up with Youth Scotland and its Inspire 2022 scheme at the weekend to take action on social issues that matter to them.

A workshop held at St Mungo's Parish Church on Saturday, May 14, has seen the formation of two groups who began planning activities in the community with a £800 budget each to work with.

One of the groups formed around issue of Youth-led Pride to ensure young LGBTQ people in the area can find their confidence.

Potentially, they are hoping to organise a youth-led Pride walk in Alloa, complimenting the movement which has brought an annual march to the town.

The other will be working around the issues of mental health and disabilities with both groups finding something they are passionate about.

Dave Crozier, project leader at Connect, told the Advertiser: “The event was called Inspire 2022 but if anyone was inspired, it was me.

“The young people were amazing and I was so proud of every single one of them.”

It is hoped community events for both groups, who will be supported by Youth Scotland and Connect in delivery, will take place around the end of the summer.

Helping to evaluate the project ideas as they were pitched on the day were St Mungo's Parish Church minister Sang Y Cha and Cllr Ellen Forson.

Sang said: “You can always feel the love when you go see the young people of Connect Alloa.

“There is a genuine warmth there. I was so incredibly impressed with them.”

The minister was keen to ensure all young people knew his door is “always open to you” and for those who are working around Youth-led Pride, he added: “I will march with you.”

Cllr Forson added: “It was great to hear the pitches of the ideas the young people had to address the issues that are important to them in our local area and I look forward to them becoming a reality over the next few months, thanks to the funding from Youth Scotland.”

For more, find Connect on Facebook or visit connectalloa.org.uk.