A WILDLIFE charity has received more than £40,000 to help continue three popular volunteering groups in Ayrshire.

The Scottish Wildlife Trust was awarded £41,246 from the Scottish Power Foundation for their Action for Nature sessions, which take place across the region.

Harry Richards, the charity's Ayrshire community engagement officer, organises and leads the volunteer groups building the capacity of local people to protect nature in their neighbourhood.

Activities also enhance biodiversity and access to greenspace with people reporting how spending time outdoors boosts their wellbeing and knowledge of greenspaces and wildlife in the area.

Harry admits he is delighted with the new round of funding, which will allow the trust’s work across Ayrshire to continue.

He said: “This funding is vital to support volunteers to undertake a wide range of practical conservation work across 15 sites in Ayrshire, including the trust’s reserves around Irvine.

“Volunteering is a fantastic way for people to enjoy time outdoors with company, meet new people, learn new skills and care for nature.

“The project brings together a wide and diverse range of people, community groups and organisations leading to more community collaboration on environmental initiatives in the area.”

The three regular volunteering groups available for anyone to join included Wednesday Weekday Volunteers, who undertake practical conservation maintenance tasks.

Time Out Thursday is a well-being group offering low intensity practical weeding or pruning, followed by a wildlife walk and talk.

And the monthly Community Conservation Volunteers work exclusively on community led wildlife sites on a range of ongoing maintenance activities. 

Extra monthly events have also been planned until September to encourage more people to enjoy the many varied greenspaces in Ayrshire.

Keep up to date with Action for Nature in Ayrshire on the Scottish Wildlife Trust Facebook page.