Project name: CashBack Connections: Befriending, Mentoring and Family Support
Age range: 10-16 years
CashBack Connections will provide group-based befriending and mentoring, with embedded 1-1 relational support, for 150 young people over three years (aged 10-16) across deprived communities in Lanarkshire who are at risk of involvement in antisocial behaviour or offending. Support will be delivered primarily through small groups (around 10 young people per group, meeting weekly), alongside wraparound 1-1 keyworker support embedded throughout delivery for all participants.
The project will run for 40 weeks during term-time, with sessions lasting up to 2.5 hours per week, complemented by up to five longer school-holiday outings each year. Delivery will be led by a skilled staff team comprising a Head of Services, Service Manager, Project Coordinators and Group Facilitators, supported by trained volunteers (around 20 volunteer befriender/mentors). Weekly activities will be chosen by young people and designed to be engaging, inclusive and preventative. These are likely to include creative workshops, life and social skills sessions, physical activities, and community participation activities that help young people build confidence, improve wellbeing, reduce isolation and develop positive routines.
Every young person will receive an initial home assessment, a co-produced support plan and 12-weekly review check-ins with their Coordinator. Additional 1-1 contact will be provided flexibly and responsively where needed, to address safeguarding concerns or barriers to engagement. Volunteers also provide consistent relational support through informal check-ins and practical support such as transport, creating 1-1 moments alongside group delivery.
Families and carers will benefit from holistic support, with links to COVEY’s Family Support service where appropriate.
Local authority areas:
North Lanarkshire; South Lanarkshire
