A GROUP of dedicated volunteers have spread messages of kindness in Saltcoats to help people who are struggling.

Encouraging messages, such as “never give up” and “believe in yourself” have been spotted at the train station, the bridge near the library and by the shore front.

The tags have been tied in place by Active Kindness, a collective group of volunteers who have come together to spread kindness.

The group started in August last year after members met through a personal development program ‘positive steps with partners’ through the Ayrshire Community Trust.

Cheryl Newall, who helped bring the group together, told the Herald: “Active Kindness are a group of people, who we got involved in volunteer challenges. They have all come together through different training.

“It’s all about spreading kindness.”

“We are spreading the messages across North Ayrshire, if someone is having a bad day that simple message might just cheer them up a bit.”

“If your mental health is low, wee things like that can just give you a wee bit of inspiration to keep you going.”

The group felt it was important to get the word out, after recent suicides in North Ayrshire and the campaign to Be Kind, after the death of high profile celebrity Caroline Flack.

Active Kindness are now on a mission to spread their message across North Ayrshire, starting with the three towns.

Cheryl said: “We want people to realise that the way you feel is not forever, you can feel better, you will feel better. Locally there’s been a lot of suicides, we just wanted to get out there and do something. Its about looking after yourself as well. You have to be kind to yourself.”

The group hopes to one day create a permanent mural, where their positive messages of kindness can be displayed.

Cheryl believes people can be inspired by their community.

She said: “We’ve got loads of stuff right on our doorstep. We’ve put these messages all across Saltcoats. It can maybe highlight wee things that people don’t know exist locally.

“We’d like to be able to do something that’s permanent like a mural.”

The group posted their messages online and already received a warm response.

It comes after the group held a Christmas drive at the end of last year where they made 98 boxes to help tackle people who were alone over the festive season.

Cheryl believes the group can go from strength to strength and have already inspired a group in Largs to do the same.

She added: “They are really motivated members of the public who are doing this off their own backs. The sky is the limit for them.”