FROM grass-cutting and window-washing to flower deliveries, little acts of kindness go a long way.

The inspirational young people of Royston Youth Action will be out and about in their community next month, adding some sparkle to the lives of their friends and neighbours.

It’s part of the group’s 30th birthday celebration, as project co-ordinator Sharon Kelly explains.

“We have been running a programme called 12 Acts of Kindness, where we support a different good cause in our community every month for a year and it has been a fantastic success,” she says.

“It has allowed us to support a whole range of charities, from local foodbanks to homeless groups, and there has been a real ripple effect with the young people themselves, who take the message that kindness helps back to their schools and communities.

“Because we are celebrating our 30th anniversary in September, we decided to take it one step further and do 30 acts of kindness, one a day for every day in the month.”

She adds: “It could be collecting someone’s shopping for them, or washing their windows, or just giving them flowers and a thank-you card.”

The group, which won the Public Service Award in last year’s Evening Times Community Champions Awards, are hoping local people will nominate loved ones and neighbours.

“The young people have been working hard to make the thank you cards and small gifts, so we hope everyone will support us and get involved,” says Sharon.

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Royston Youth Action was set up in 1989 by a group of parents concerned about the negative perceptions some people had of the area’s young people.

By listening to people in the community and working in partnership with local schools and housing associations, it has helped thousands of young people and their families over the last three decades.

It now runs 22 clubs and activities every week and also takes children on trips abroad through an exchange programme. Recent destinations have included Estonia and New York.

“These young people would probably not have the opportunity to do this, and it’s great to see young people who previously might have been struggling, or have felt isolated, really blossom,” says Sharon.

“There is a great atmosphere at Royston Youth Action - we always say we are just like a wee family, and everyone is an important part of it.”

The Evening Times is on the hunt for nominations for this year’s awards, in association with Glasgow Fort and supported by Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Community Planning Partnership, Glasgow Housing Association and Trades House of Glasgow. The closing date is September 17.

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Entries are now open. There are nine categories - Team Award, Individual Award, Public Service Award, Uniformed Services Award, Senior Award, Young Award, Health and Wellbeing Award, Sports Award and - new for 2019 - Teacher Award.

The awards cover three areas of Glasgow, the south, the north-east and the north-west. We want to hear about inspirational individuals and great groups going the extra mile in your area - who do you think deserves recognition for fantastic community work?

Tell us why they should win and remember to include lots of detail and photographs to support your entry.

You can nominate on the website at http://newsquestscotlandevents.com/events/glasgowcommchamps/

The closing date for entries is Tuesday, September 17.

A shortlist will then go to a public online vote to determine the winners in each area, who will then progress to the Grand Final at Glasgow City Chambers on December 6.

A judging panel made up of representatives from the awards’ partners, will decide the Grand Final winners.

Sharon says she would urge other community groups to enter.

“It was a lovely event to be part of last year and we felt honoured to win when there were so many great groups involved,” she says.

“The Grand Final at the City Chambers was fantastic - the children who came along got to go up on the stage and collect the trophy. They felt like celebrities.”

If you live in Royston and would like to nominate someone for 30 Acts of Kindness, contact Royston Youth Action on 0141 572 0984.