Supporting young people to open up and engage can be the first step towards more positive choices.
Our partners support young people at risk of involvement in the justice system, antisocial behaviour and carrying weapons. The Larder West Lothian’s CashBack Community Connections (CCC) provides trauma-informed support for young people aged 10-25 to prevent offending and re-offending. It is a holistic service, with opportunities to access education, support for family members and mentoring.
Read on for one young person’s journey in the project and how it has helped them to open up and reflect on their choices.
Calum’s story
Calum is 16 years old and lives with his Dad. They have a good relationship, although Calum often has to travel to see his Mum and gran who live in different areas.
When Calum joined the CCC programme, he hadn’t attended school fully for some years. He was diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and sometimes struggled to concentrate.
Calum had been using cannabis and spending time in peer groups involved in antisocial behaviour and carrying weapons. He had offended in the past, and knew that he wasn’t making positive choices in his life. He had enrolled on a construction course but there was an incident in class and he was removed.
Opening up through music
The Larder’s programme is led by trauma-trained staff, focussing on reasons for offending, improving behaviour, and the impact of antisocial behaviour and crime on victims and the wider community.
When Calum was nominated, he mentioned wanting to get into construction or something hands-on, although his main passion was music and writing lyrics. The team supported him to develop a personalised plan, including one-to-one sessions using their sound booth.
Since joining, he has experienced poor health and altercations outside the programme, which have affected his mental health. The trusting relationships he has developed with the team over time have allowed him to maintain his attendance and speak about how he is feeling:
Working with the [staff team] means I have people to speak to when I’m going through stuff or needing some support with practical stuff.
Calum
His time in the sound booth has also allowed his love for music to develop, using lyrics and creating rap as a healthy way to express himself:
So when I use music and rap, I use it as a way to speak, it’s my way to open up. I put my head into it, it’s the only thing I can concentrate on and it makes everything feel normal. It’s great that I’ve been able to work in the sound booth at college.
Calum
Towards a positive future
Being involved in the CCC programme has helped Calum evaluate the risks he takes and make positive changes in his behaviours. He has been making small steps towards a better future, including reducing his cannabis use.
Because of the project, I’m hoping when I’m older I’ll have chosen a better path. Like I’ve majorly cut down on smoking weed, I think about those choices more now.
Calum
Calum was recently accepted for a trainee position with a local organisation, doing landscaping and gardening work, as well as some community engagement and helping at events. He has created a small portfolio of tracks he plans to use to apply to a music production course.
*Note: Calum is a pseudonym to protect the young person’s privacy.
Want to learn more?
- Find out more about The Larder’s CashBack Community Connections project
- Read their 2023-24 annual report to find out more about the project’s impact
- For more examples of how CashBack projects support children and young people towards positive destinations, see our 23-24 impact report
