A BANKIE youth arts project has been honoured with a national award.

Y Sort It’s #Freshcreations picked up the Time to Shine Award at the National Youth Worker of the Year Awards last week.

The arts hub brings together youth work and creative talents to give young people new skills and confidence.

Sam McGregor accepted the award on behalf of the group, which has undertaken projects such as last year’s Back Tae The Future with more than 70 young people over the Easter break.

Laura Ward, senior youth worker at the charity, was also nominated in the awards, sponsored by YouthLink Scotland.

Their boss, Y Sort It manager Gillian Kirkwood, said: “To have two finalists at this year’s national Youth Work Awards was special.

“I am so proud of Laura’s achievements as a youth worker, and glad she was recognised as a runner up for Youth Worker of the year for all her dedication.

“I am also delighted for the Y Sort It #Freshcreations team of Sam McGregor, Daniel McCormick and Jacque Boyce for being recognised for all their hard work and effort to ensure young people in West Dunbartonshire have access to high quality creative and art opportunities.

“Their work with local creative partners such as 14C Film production company, Skapade Music Studio and Recoat Design, and many art facilitators, over the past two and a half years, has meant more than 2,500 young people locally have participated in free art activities out of school.

“Winning this award will hopefully ensure we can continue to deliver Freshcreations for years to come and many more young people in West Dunbartonshire can have the same benefits.”

Jim Sweeney, chief executive of YouthLink Scotland, added: “#Freshcreations is a fantastic example of effective youth work in practice. Their work illustrates that when the investment is made in our young people, and they are given the opportunity to learn and grow outside the classroom, their achievement and confidence improves.”