Friday 12th December 2025 marked an extremely successful and rewarding day for our Sports Department, with students and staff delivering two inspiring community-focused events.
The morning saw the welcome return of our Boccia event which is a friendly, skill-based sports competition designed to be fully inclusive, particularly for people with physical, learning, or additional support needs. The event highlighted the power of sport to bring people together in a supportive and enjoyable environment.
HND Coaching and Advanced Sport students volunteered their time, working in small groups to help facilitate games and support participants throughout the morning. They were joined by three HND Event Management students who played a key role in organising and managing various areas of the event. This provided valuable real-life experience while supporting a core unit of their course.
Prizes were presented at the end of the event, including awards for the winning individual and Best Dressed, bringing the morning to a celebratory close.
Special thanks for Ian McCallum from Only Sport who kindly donated over a £1000 worth of kit.
In the afternoon, HNC Fitness, Health and Exercise and Advanced Uniform Services students visited the Alzheimer Scotland's Dementia Centre in Kilmarnock, delivering a festive event for 10 dementia residents. Students led a series of fun, interactive games, followed by dancing to Christmas songs performed by Britain’s Got Talent winner and Ayrshire College alumni, Jai McDowall.
As part of their studies, students explore brain health and how the brain functions across the lifespan. Through a partnership with our local Alzheimer Scotland branch, students are introduced to brain health training, which explores the lifestyle factors that influence cognitive wellbeing. Delivered by expert staff at the Kilmarnock Centre, this training helps individuals of all ages develop personalised brain health plans, promoting long-term resilience and reducing the risk of cognitive decline. In addition students gain first-hand experience working with individuals living with dementia.
Additional special guests included ex-footballers Rose Riley, Andy McLaren and Simon Donnelly who each attended both events and enthusiastically participated in games, dancing and prize-giving.
Click here to see a video recap of this event.
Overall, the day was a fantastic example of inclusive sport, community engagement and student development in action.
Andy McLaren, former footballer and volunteer of the Kris Boyd Charity, said:
“I’m delighted that the charity is able to support such an amazing partnership with Alzheimer Scotland, Ayrshire College and East Ayrshire Leisure. I was aware of the good work that was taking place, however, to witness the dedication of the staff and the enthusiasm of the students was special. To see the difference this initiative makes, to not only the participants, but to the staff and students, is truly amazing. We, as a charity, do what we can to help where we can, and we will continue to support this initiative in the future.”
Sheena Boyd, Centre Manager at Alzheimer Scotland, said:
“We were delighted to welcome the Ayrshire College students following their Dementia Friends and Brain Health Training. This is a fantastic example of the community coming together to support vulnerable members of society. The students’ commitment to creating and delivering a meaningful programme for our service users has been outstanding. The carers and people living with dementia benefit greatly, with noticeable improvements in health and wellbeing. We especially loved the final week, a Christmas celebration party.”