A NEW Community Learning and Development plan is set to benefit communities across South Ayrshire.

The plan focuses on improving people’s lives through various learning and personal development opportunities.

Available to people of all ages, it has four main priorities: Closing the poverty related outcomes gap for children and young people, supporting older people to live in good health and place plan priorities for Ayr North and Girvan Glendoune.

The plan also aims to continue with several projects that have previously been successful.

Activities that tackle holiday hunger for children during school holidays and publications such as Strictly Seniors which promote health and wellbeing in older people will continue to strive within the new plan.

Furthermore, there are plans to build on the success of the Good Food Nation initiative.

After already proving a success in North Ayr, the plan is that 246, 3-65-year olds learn how to cook healthymeals. In addition to this, some of the individuals who took partin the initiative now volunteer at the community café in Lochside Community Centre.

Events such as Adult Learners Week are also keen to continue and open opportunities for adults to obtain new skills and qualifications through return to learning and adult literacy programmes.

Councillor William Grant, South Ayrshire Council’s Portfolio Holder for Lifelong Learning said: “The new plan builds on previous work undertaken to ensure people across South Ayrshire have the support they need to succeed.

“Working with our partners we’re getting people into employment or boosting skillsto help their personal development.

Over the last three years, 4,500 adults have improved their knowledge and skills.

“This important work will continue to ensure there’s a level playing field when it comes to learning. The plan will help ensure our residents have more opportunities as we look to deliver support to those that need it most.”