A Garelochhead youth project recently held its first volunteer celebration and awards evening since the start of the pandemic.

Project 81’s event focused on the small group of volunteers within Route 81 and Centre 81 who have helped to steer the organisation over the past few challenging years.

Over that last year, 26 young people have volunteered over 700 hours of their time, with 17 adults also supporting projects.

Between June 2021 and May 2022, 61 young people directly benefitted from the group’s services, as well as a further 173 community members. A total of 104 members were able to re-join the community gym.

Over the same time period, 130 events and sessions were held, including Easter, summer, and October activity programmes, a Halloween community event, yoga classes, and the creation of the Unexpected Garden.

The organisation was also able to reopen its hostel after a revamp which saw many hours of work put in by volunteers.

Two new projects were introduced this year too – ‘Spark your Purpose’ for ages 16 and over, and the Argyll and Bite Third Sector Interface Volunteering Programme.

Michelle MacDonald, Route 81 team leader, said: “It has been an exciting and varied year at Route 81. From the very start the young people did not want to meet over Zoom or FaceTime.

“After 18 months of being 'locked away'. they wanted to meet in person. In June 2021, this was challenging as there were still many restrictions in place.

“Sessions have taken place, under gazebos, in the rain, in an old boat shed, under the stars - wherever we could make it happen - and it was just great for everyone to be back together again.

“The youth team have been superb, and Route 81 has been able to offer a varied programme of events, awards and training - it's been a good year and am so grateful for the fantastic young people and volunteers who have supported Route 81 in moving forward.

“As we move into the latter of 2022, we hope to get our Youth Hub back up and running with an exciting new programme in place - watch this space!'