KIND teenagers from a Gourock secondary school are helping vulnerable people in the community as part of a special project.

Hard-working third year pupils at St Columba's High are coming to the aid of homeless people, the elderly and premature babies as part of the High Five wellbeing initiative being led by local charity Compassionate Inverclyde.

As part of the project, the pupils have been rolling up their sleeves to support various good causes.

Mya Knox, who is part of a group focused on helping homeless people, said: "I have really enjoyed the chance to help.

"Some of the stories are quite heartbreaking."

Fellow pupil Lauren Quinn's group have been visiting senior citizens at Sir Gabriel Wood's Mariners' Home in Greenock every week.

She said: "We've been out to the Mariners quite a few times and have got to know the people who live there.

"I've learned that it's not just a place where they live, they do lots of different things."

Megan McGonigal is part of a group who have been looking at ways to support premature babies.

The 14-year-old said: "We have been learning about ways to help others if they are in need.

"It's things that some people take for granted.

"We're looking at ways to raise money to make up care packages for babies."

Lindsay McGurk, a PE teacher and head of health and wellbeing at the school, says the project has had a huge impact on the pupils.

She said: "They are taking pride in their community and a bit of responsibility and that translates in school.

"It's about saying saying 'this is your community, your school is your community and take pride in that'.

"I'm so proud of them and of their efforts and their commitment to all three projects."

Allison Akhtar, a volunteer with Compassionate Inverclyde, said the whole ethos is to encourage the pupils to show that they care about their community.

She said: "It has been fabulous to see their sense of compassion develop."