Today Minister for Victims and Community Safety Siobhian Brown launched the programme’s impact report at Castlebrae Community Campus. It shows CashBack for Communities is supporting thousands of young people most at risk of involvement with the justice system towards positive destinations.
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. It shows strong performance in achieving CashBack’s strategic outcomes, including:
- 4,318 young people report reduced involvement in antisocial or criminal activity
- 4,954 young people gained an accreditation
- 64,240 volunteering hours contributed by young CashBack participants
- 7,440 young people report positive changes in their behaviour
Pupils from Leith Academy also joined the Minister, who had a chance to witness the excitement of Scottish Rugby Union’s School of Rugby activities firsthand. She heard from young people, including one young participant who has become a Rugby Ambassador and achieved coaching qualifications through his involvement in CashBack:
I was one of the first pupils to participate in CashBack at Castlebrae. [My teacher] encouraged me to sign up to be the Rugby Ambassador as I have been involved with rugby since S1. I enjoyed working with the coaches and the pupils to help them improve their skills. I like being a role model to the younger pupils.
Scottish Rugby Union participant
Since getting involved, he has had opportunities to start refereeing, and seen his wellbeing and confidence improve:
I have been refereeing at the festivals in Edinburgh. I was able to lose a lot of weight by participating in rugby which has improved my confidence a lot.
Scottish Rugby Union participant
He wants to become a firefighter when he leaves school, and keep playing rugby.
The report features more stories of young participants’ journeys, as well as the impact The Larder West Lothian’s CashBack Community Connections project had working with a group of young people who were connected to antisocial behaviour in the local area. The team worked in partnership with local public and third sector organisations, and built relationships with the young people, leading to positive changes in the young people’s behaviour which has been felt at community level.
It is heartening to see a reduction in the numbers [antisocial behaviour] in the ward, especially amongst youth. It’s obvious that partnership working in the area is working.
Councillor Pauline Clark,
Fauldhouse and Breich Valley
About the programme
CashBack for Communities is a Scottish Government initiative which takes funds recovered through the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and invests them back into communities. It supports delivery of Scottish Government’s Vision for Justice in Scotland.
In 2023-24:
- 15,368 young people were supported
- £5.5m funding was delivered
- 29 partner organisations were funded
Partners deliver projects within six broad themes of work: culture, employability, mental health, mentoring, sport for change, and youth work.
Read more about CashBack-funded partners on our Partners page.
Siobhian Brown, Minister for Victims and Community Safety:
“Supporting and encouraging young people to make informed choices is crucial for their personal growth and future success and this Impact Report highlights the positive contribution the CashBack for Communities Programme has had on doing just that.
The outcomes summarised in this report show what can be achieved when young people are given the right opportunities, and I would like to thank the 29 funded organisations for all their commitment over the last year to providing that support. We can clearly recognise and measure the impact it has on young people and also their families and communities.”
