A youth charity is expanding its services in Alloa. 

Connect Alloa, a youth group which aims to tackle loneliness in young people in the area is increasing its days and expanding its team. Originally the charity consisted of Dave Crozier, the charity founder and project leader, two part-time youth workers and a digital engagement worker. 

New team members include Zoë Green as a senior youth worker, Michael Hilton, Lou Carberry and Olivia Jones as youth workers, and Esther Chann as community operations coordinator. 

Now with the expansion of the team the charity can focus on how they can grow.

The charity is open to anyone between the ages of primary seven and 19 years old. It helps young people with their literacy and numeracy skills, but it also offers support with practical skills through cooking sessions. 

Currently the charity hosts regular sessions every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, but the youth group will be doubling its hours in January. 

Dave, who has a background in community education, said: "It’s about doubling the amount of people we bring in as well as pushing to the schools and reaching the primary sevens so they can grow in Connect and meet the younger ones.

“One boy has been with us since primary six and he is one of the older ones who is now helping the younger ones.

“We have gone in to schools and said who we are, what we do and what we provide. It’s about raising awareness.

“We go around the classes, letting them know that they can have a drop in with us if they want. All we need is their parental registration form.”

The expansion in days and staff comes after the charity received funding from Clackmannanshire Council. 

The charity is youth led which means that the young people get to decide how they want to do things. The group has a mural on its premises which it got a professional painter decorate for them according to what the young people wanted. 

Connect Alloa also has a sensory room.

Dave said: "Anyone can use to deescalate themselves, but it then can be used for those who have sensory issues as well." 

The charity is just four years old, but Dave is invested in the charity.

He added: “We are young, so growth starts slowly, we are taking all the opportunities we can. Growth for us does not necessarily mean days or numbers, it’s about how we develop our space with our young people.”