CashBack for Communities funds activities and programmes for young people across all 32 of Scotland’s local authorities. Check out our new ‘Activities in the Area’ resources to find out what we deliver in your local authority.
CashBack for Communities supports young people from all 32 of Scotland’s local authorities. It takes funds recovered from the proceeds of crime and invests them to deliver free activities and programmes for young people.
In 2024-25, CashBack partners supported over 15,000 young people most at risk of involvement in the justice system towards positive destinations.
Our new “Activities in the Area” resources highlight the impact the programme is having with young people and their families and communities, as well as the power of local partnerships in improving lives.
Click on the name of a local authority below to see a snapshot of activities in the area. You can also scroll through our Impact page to find a breakdown of activities and spending by year in each local authority, as well each local authority’s Activities in the Area resource.
Young people’s stories
Young people are the most powerful voices when it comes to showing the true impact of CashBack.
Avenue’s CashBack Connecting Through Creativity Project delivers person-centred, therapy-informed creative art sessions for young people. Funded by Phase 6 of the Scottish Government’s CashBack for Communities initiative.
Image Credit : Avenue Confidential
I was really nervous before coming. I’m looking
forward to next week’s session. It’s really helped me relieve my worries and a bit of pressure. “Young Person,
Northfield Academy
(Aberdeen)
shmu’s CashBack NorthEast programme continues to support young people in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire to overcome barriers and build positive futures, through three interconnected projects. shmu Youth Media project works with 10 to 18-year-olds from 7 priority areas to explore identity, wellbeing, and community through creative media.
If it hadn’t been for me coming to shmu and doing the radio training and the support I got, I would never have had the confidence to stand up in front of 40 people and speak about my mental health.
Starcatchers is Scotland’s Arts and Early Years organisation. They believe that youngest children, those aged birth-to-five, should be able to fulfil their rights under the UNCRC through access to arts and creative experiences that give inspiration, joy and wonder to early childhood in Scotland.
Before [CashBack] I was really struggling to eat because I was unhappy with myself and felt self-conscious. Now I am eating better and feeling like I can do more due to having more energy.
Local partnerships
Our 29 CashBack partner organisations deliver a wide range of programmes, many in collaboration with local partners. Some examples include :
Youth Scotland Generation CashBack is run with Scouts Scotland, Girlguiding Scotland, and the Boys’ Brigade. The programme supports disadvantaged young people to benefit from community-based youth work through group work (‘Grow’) and leadership and peer mentoring (‘Lead”).
Rangers Charity Foundation CashBack – Towards New Futures is a person-centred employability and re-engagement programme for young people who recently left prison or are at risk of involvement in the justice system. Supports integration back into community and progress to positive destinations.
Note: In most cases, we have used pseudonyms to protect the young people featured in these resources.
Find out more
- Learn more about the difference CashBack is making in the lives of young people and their families and communities in our 24-25 impact report
- Visit our Impact page to see a breakdown of project activities and spending by year
