CashBack for Communities is a Scottish Government programme which takes funds recovered from the proceeds of crime and invests them into free activities and programmes for young people across Scotland.
We are fortunate to have many talented women in leadership roles across the CashBack programme. Whether they are managing projects, steering whole organisations, or directly influencing and guiding young people, CashBack’s women leaders are making a difference in communities across Scotland.
We’ve asked them to share what brought them to where they are today, leadership qualities they value most, and advice for the next generation of women leaders.
Improving the wellbeing of young people most at risk of involvement in the justice system is one of CashBack’s key aims. Each of our partners achieves this in some way.
In support of Children’s Mental Health Week we’re featuring an example of Bethany Christian Trust’s approach and the difference it can make. Their CashBack project is a community-based early intervention support service for young people with mental health struggles.
Take a closer look at the impact this project has had with one young participant.
Young people are involved in every stage of the CashBack programme – from sharing day-to-day feedback with our partner organisations to taking part in funding decisions and programme evaluation.
We asked 12 CashBack-funded projects to gather small groups of young participants to hear their views on the programme – 69 young people ultimately took part.
They told us that support that makes them feel safe and respected makes the biggest difference.
CashBack’s 2023-24 Impact Report shows strong performance in achieving the programme’s strategic outcomes, including 7,440 young people reporting positive changes in their behaviour.
The report covers the year April 2023 to March 2024 – the first of a three year funding phase which will run from April 2023 to March 2026.
This Autumn, young people in Midlothian have a chance to take part in free, spooky activities that are safe and fun.
That’s because CashBack partners Mayfield & Easthouses Youth 2000 Project’s (Y2K) have teamed up with organisations across Midlothian to offer young people positive alternatives to take part in Bonfire Night and other spooky celebrations.
Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week provides a chance to inspire and support every woman and girl in Scotland to get active. This year the theme is Leadership, and we’re celebrating the many ways women and girls can be leaders.
CashBack VOW Project is delivered by Police Scotland and Aid & Abet.
Here’s a look at how transformative this project has been for one young participant.
Read on to hear about S’s experience of the project and his journey into work.
Since 2008, £130 million recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act has been committed to the CashBack for Communities Programme and other community initiatives. The programme has funded over 2.5 million activities and opportunities for young people.
committed from the proceeds of crime
local authorities impacted
activities provided for young people
of young people from the 30% most deprived communities since 2017
To mark International Women’s Day, we asked women in CashBack leadership roles to share their advice for the next generation of women leaders. We are fortunate to have many talented women in leadership roles across the CashBack programme. Whether they are managing projects, steering whole organisations, or directly influencing and guiding young people, CashBack’s women […]
6th March 2025
This Children’s Mental Health Week, we’re showcasing an example of how CashBack projects support young people to improve their wellbeing. Supporting young people who are most at risk of involvement in the justice system to improve their wellbeing is one of the key aims of the CashBack programme. Each of our partners achieves this in […]
3rd February 2025