An evaluation report published this week has revealed that the Scottish Government’s ‘CashBack for Communities’ scheme helped to support more than 106,000 young people over the last three years, with many of them benefitting from sports-based projects.
The programme, which is unique to Scotland, reinvests seized criminal assets into community projects which support young people into positive destinations, diverting some away from potentially criminal or anti-social behaviour.
INVESTMENT
More than two thirds (69%) of the 106,000 young people came from Scotland’s most deprived areas. The Phase 4 evaluation report also states:
- 78% reported an improvement in their wellbeing
- 76% reported an increase in their confidence
- 67% gained new jobs, skills or qualifications
The next phase of the programme has seen £19million invested between 24 organisations over the next three years, taking take the total investment in the scheme to £110 million since 2008. Basketball Scotland, Celtic Football Club Foundation, Rangers Charity Foundation, Scottish Football Association, SPFL Trust and Scottish Rugby Union are amongst the organisations being funded.
The aim of Phase 4, which ran from 2017 until this year, was to tackle inequalities by providing activities which raise the attainment, ambition and aspirations of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
One participant, Kayla, took part in the ‘School of Rugby’ project having had issues with anger in the past and sometimes difficulty controlling her temper.
She said: “Rugby set me straight, I put my anger into playing the sport right. Rugby has helped me through some difficult times and it's a positive thing to focus on.”
POSITIVE
Patrick, 25 and from Glasgow, was helped by the Celtic FC Foundation employability programme to become a sports coach after being released from prison.
He said: “Committing crimes is just not who I am. I don’t know what went through my head when I was doing it. The Celtic FC Foundation staff who were working with me on the CashBack course were just so positive. They told me that if I stuck at it and did everything they asked me to do, then I would get a reward at the end.
“And the reward is I’m still sitting here today working for Celtic FC Foundation as a community coach. I run sessions for children and adults. Some of the people I work with have additional needs like Autism and Down’s Syndrome. It is really rewarding to see them going home with a big smile on their faces after the football practice sessions.”
Justice Secretary for the Scottish Government, Humza Yousaf, said: “CashBack is a unique and potentially life-transforming programme that helps expand young people’s horizons and supports them to realise their ambitions and reach their full potential.
“I am delighted to see the positive impact that Phase 4 has had on our young people and look forward to building on this good work as we move to the next phase of the programme which will see £19million invested between 24 organisations.
“Since the Scottish Government launched CashBack in 2008 we have delivered more than two and a half million activities and opportunities for young people and our latest round of funding takes total investment in the scheme to more than £100million.”
Read more at cashbackforcommunities.org.
Pic credit: Celtic FC Foundation.
