A NEW weekly community space that aims to tackle loneliness has started up in Ayr.

Happy Connections staged their take over of an unused unit in the Kyle shopping centre which they plan to make a weekly routine where residents can enjoy workshops and a vibrant social hub.

The lottery funded project has been on a mission to find out what leads to people feeling isolated in Ayr.

Lynne of Happy Connections told the Advertiser: “What we are doing with this space is saying yeah you told us that the High Street is depressing with empty shops and there’s no place to go.

“But the internet has changed things so what can we do with those spaces as a community to reclaim them to make the connection so that we are not lonely?”

The HC team were joined by other community projects such as Empower and Brushstrokes, with the latter starting work on a colourful wall mural at the unit.

It is hoped that the space will develop into a unit where workshops can take place to discuss local issues surrounding loneliness.

Lynne added: “What we have seen is all you need to do is have a bit of space and give people a bit of time and great things happen.”