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Seized crime cash to help young people
03/11/2008
More than £1.8 million of money seized from serious organised criminals is to be used to support youth projects throughout Scotland.
Projects ranging from a youth drop-in centre in Grantown on Spey to youth activities in Summerhill, Dumfries and Galloway are among over 150 projects to receive a share of the second and final round of the CashBack for Communities funding.
Speaking during a visit to the Leith Acorn Centre YMCA, one of the recipients of funding from the first round in June, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said:
"Already throughout Scotland the various strands of our CashBack for Communities scheme are making a real difference to the lives of our young people.
"We are taking cash from criminals and using it to give youngsters the opportunity to realise their potential and be all they can be.
"The devil makes work for idle hands and that is why by supporting projects such as the Leith Acorn Centre we are showing young people that there is much more to life than drink, drugs and offending.
"It is not just those who offend or are on the cusp of offending, but all our kids that need a chance. Some areas and areas will be targeted but all must have the opportunity.
"From Glasgow to Grantown-on-Spey, we are giving our young people the opportunity to get involved in their communities and try things that may never normally be available to them."
Kerry Reilly the youth work coordinator at Leith Acorn Centre YMCA said:
"The funding has enabled us to put youth work staff on the streets of Leith at the weekends (Friday and Sunday evenings) reaching some of the most vulnerable young people and those engaged in risk taking behaviour."
Jim Sweeney, chief executive of YouthLink Scotland said,
"We warmly welcome this fund, which has been a privilege to manage on behalf of Scottish Government. It will generate many positive opportunities for young people and make a real difference in many communities."
The following are three of the projects which will receive funding from this round:
Grantown on Spey YMCA Community Centre £5000
The grant will be used to support staffing costs of a drop-in facility for young people. The project currently caters for 110 young people aged 10 - 19 years of age, the project plans to increase this by a further 70 by extending the number of times the centre is open for young people. The project works in partnership with other organisations such as local secondary schools, police careers and local sports providers.
Summerhill Community Centre £12,700
The grant will be used to support staffing costs to co-ordinate and develop youth activities within the centre. It is envisaged that the grant will enable 150 new young people to gain access to the centre. The project works in partnership with community wardens, fire and rescue services and the NHS to provide volunteering opportunities, and skill development course such as First Aid and Sexual Health.
Chinese Community Development Partnership £11,021
The grant will support the organisation to provide 18 months of activities for young people from a Chinese/Scottish background who face cultural issues as they move into adulthood. The programme of activities range from social and educational open evenings, skill development, exploring arts to developing sports activities. The grant will enable the group to extend their numbers from 75 - 125.
The Justice Secretary announced in February a new £3 million grant scheme for youth projects to be funded from the proceeds of crime.
The funding announced today is part of the Scottish Government's CashBack for Communities scheme. This is the final tranche of money that has been made available through YouthLink Scotland.
This strand of the Scottish Government's CashBack for Communities scheme will provide funding for projects which support young people involved, or at risk from, violence, alcohol, drugs or antisocial behaviour as well as support for initiatives such as youth drop-in services and residential, environmental and outdoor activities.
The CashBack for Communities funding has enabled The Leith Acorn Centre to put youth work staff on the streets of Leith at the weekends (Friday and Sunday evenings) reaching some of the most vulnerable young people and those engaged in risk taking behaviour. Since the beginning of October they have contacted 62 young people around the streets and parks of Leith, finding out their interests, needs and issues. The weekend drop-in Youth café has also been opened as a result of the CashBack for Communities funding and 31 young people have made use of the café in October. The café provides a social meeting space, internet access, youth work activities, games and a hot food and drink service.