Criminals’ ill-gotten gains re-directed to support young people to make positive choices
A unique programme funded from seized criminal assets has helped to provide new opportunities for more than 28,000 young people in the past year.
CashBack for Communities used £19 million recovered from criminal activity to support 24 organisations during Phase 5 of the programme, which ran from April 2020 to March 2023, to support young people, including those who may be at risk from being drawn into antisocial behaviour or criminality.
Projects supported included the Vow Project, run in partnership with Police Scotland, which uses peer mentors with experience of the criminal justice system to support young people to break the cycle of criminality and offending.
The Access to Industry project, which provides employability support to young people in HM Prison and Young Offenders Institution (YOI) Polmont, and Action for Children who support young people at risk of involvement in offending or antisocial behaviour, were also supported through CashBack.
A new evaluation of activity support in 2022-23, has found that of the young people who took part in projects:
75% reported an improvement in their wellbeing
75% reported an increase in their confidence
59% gained new jobs, skills or qualifications
Since its inception, Cashback for Communities has committed up to £130 million to fund a range of projects, delivering more than 2.5 million activities and supporting around 1.3 million young people across Scotland.
Community Justice Minister Siobhian Brown said: “The success of the Cashback for Communities projects show what can be achieved when young people are given the right opportunities.
“It is important that we support and encourage young people to make choices that allow them to develop their aspirations and potential.
“CashBack for Communities is a valued programme that everyone involved should be rightly proud of. I am grateful to all those who have helped to make the past three years such a success, and supported so many young people in such a positive way, particularly in a period impacted by COVID-19.
“For the past 15 years, Cashback has helped well over a million young people across the country to find better futures.
“This unique initiative underlines our commitment to support all of Scotland’s young people to live full, healthy lives and to help address some of the underlying causes of crime and antisocial behaviour.”
A free community cricket programme is giving young people from Edinburgh’s disadvantaged communities a safe space to play cricket and learn life skills.
The Wicketz programme was established to help break down the barriers faced by 8 to 19-year-olds living in areas with high levels of deprivation, through cricket. It was founded by the Lord’s Taverners charity, which exists to empower young people facing the challenges of inequality. Wicketz also aims to develop vital life skills for its participants by delivering workshops that focus on social issues most relevant to the areas each Wicketz project is delivered in.
On 16 and 23 October 2023, Fettes College provided its sports hall to the Edinburgh Wicketz project which enabled participants to take part in their first ever hard ball cricket sessions. Over the two days, 33 young people took part in the training.
The sessions, which are delivered by Cricket Scotland, allow young people of any gender to learn the key skills of cricket and give the game a go. The sessions combine cricket coaching and competition with workshops that are specially designed to improve the participants’ wellbeing, life skills and social integration.
Mohammad Afzal, Edinburgh Wicketz Development Officer, said:“We are so grateful to Fettes College for loaning us its fantastic sports hall for the Edinburgh sessions. It was amazing to be able to give the participants the opportunity to use the sports facilities Fettes has and to encourage more people to get involved in the sport.
“Cricket can serve as a valuable tool for educating young people on physical fitness, teamwork and communications skills, as well as improving character development and allowing for personal growth, helping young people build life skills that will serve them well in various aspects of their lives.
“The impact of Wicketz has been immense in Edinburgh.”
Mark Appleson, Director of Sport at Fettes College said:“We were pleased to host the Wicketz programme’s first ever hard-ball cricket sessions over the last couple of weeks.
“What the programme does for underprivileged children across the UK is incredible, and provides them with an outlet to learn new skills, make friends and improve their wellbeing. It was great to see people taking part and having fun.”
Colin Crichton, Chair of the Lord’s Taverners in Scotland said: “Everyone involved in the Lord’s Taverners in Scotland thank the College for its support and speed in implementing the opportunity to use their incredible facilities.
“This has been a wonderful opportunity for Edinburgh’s Wicketz participants to play the game in an environment they would not normally be able to access.”
Wicketz sessions take place weekly in Edinburgh, with the third hub launching in early 2024. To find out how to get involved, visit:
Edinburgh’s exclusive charity golf tournament will return in 2024 after the success of this year’s event
For local football fans, seeing Hibs and Hearts go head-to-head is always a highlight in the sporting calendar and their latest game was no exception – even if it did have one significant twist.
Instead of meeting on the pitch, former players from Edinburgh’s Hibernian F.C and Heart of Midlothian F.C. battled it out on the GOLF COURSE in a brand new charity tournament, the Auld Reekie Cup.
Taking place on Thursday 26th October at the historic Royal Burgess Golfing Society, the Auld Reekie Cup proved to be a big success, with Hearts clinching the cup.
Their winning team included former football legends Gary Locke, Eamonn Bannon, Scott Crabbe, Jim Brown and Graeme Shaw as well as fans, who took on former Hibs footie stars John Brownlie, John Hazel, Derek Riordan, Scott Brown, Steven Tweed, John Blackley, Gordon Hunter and Graeme Harvey plus fans.
Thanks to the Hanlon Stevenson Foundation and the Big Hearts Community Trust, all money raised on the day will be used to support projects promoting the mental health of young people here in Edinburgh.
Auld Reekie Cup
Picture: Alan Rennie
Speaking after the event, Hanlon Stevenson Foundation Ambassador Paul Demarco said; “The day was an outstanding success for all involved and the Auld Reekie Cup looks to be a fantastic addition to the years must attend derby fixtures in the capital.
“It was a pleasure to work alongside our city rivals and raise much needed funds for the work we do, especially at this time of the year. Well done to Big Hearts Community Trust on lifting the trophy, the result might not have gone our way, but there is always next year!”
Auld Reekie Cup
Picture: Alan Rennie
Big Hearts Community Trust Chief Executive Craig Wilson added; “Big Hearts were delighted to be invited to take part in the Auld Reekie Cup alongside the Hanlon Stevenson Foundation.
“It was a brilliant day of golf with brilliant support from a wide range of new and old partners for both charities. Big Hearts, like the Hanlon Stevenson Foundation, recognise the challenges our communities face, and days like yesterday raising funds help us provide vital support. We look forward to trying to retain the cup next year!”
Following the resounding success of the first ever Auld Reekie Cup, the event will return next year and local supporters will once again be offered a unique opportunity to play alongside their footballing icons.
The Springboard programme is for young adults aged 16-25 who are currently either at risk of homelessness or accessing homelessness services across Edinburgh.
Participants will be able to gain qualifications in Emergency First Aid at Work as well as Elementary Food Hygiene.
We will support the group with employability skills such as CV writing, Job Interview Skills and Job Applications. We also run workshops focused on mental health and wellbeing as well as weekly social outings to encourage participants to form lasting friendships.
The programme also includes a 3-day Residential trip with the Scottish Outdoor Education Centre to allow the participants to try their hand at some adventurous outdoor activities like rock climbing, abseiling, archery and much more!
Bus fare can be covered by Four Square and lunch will be provided on each day of the course.
The UK Space Agency’s Space for Everyone tour reached more than 160,000 young people on its 5-month journey around the UK
The STEAM tour, which featured a 72-feet replica rocket, visited 13 cities across all 4 nations of the UK between June – October this year, on its mission to inspire the next generation of space professionals.
The tour showcased the pivotal role of space in enhancing life on Earth and highlighted the diverse career pathways available in the sector to young people from all backgrounds and skill sets.
In total, the tour covered 2,684 miles, the same distance as 5 return trips to the International Space Station.
Visitors had the opportunity to experience interactive exhibits, hear from experts, and learn about the career opportunities available in the UK space sector from partners including the World Wide Fund for Nature, Orbex, Skyrora and AmbaSat.
Besides individual participants, Space for Everyone also welcomed 130 school, youth, and community organisations, offering them specially guided tours, further enriching their educational experiences and knowledge of the UK’s spaceflight sector.
Following the Space for Everyone tour, the UK Space Agency’s iconic 72-feet replica rocket will now go on loan to Spaceport Cornwall where it will continue to inspire future generations about space as part of a free space-based exhibition.
Matt Archer, UK Space Agency Director of Launch, said: “We’re working hard to encourage diversity and inspire young people from all backgrounds and skill sets to ensure the UK space sector remains vibrant, innovative, and above all successful in achieving our goal for the UK to be the leading provider of launch in Europe by 2030.
“Our Space for Everyone tour has achieved phenomenal success, engaging over 160,000 young people about the exciting opportunities in the UK’s fast-growing space sector and highlighting the wide variety of opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds and skill sets.”
As part of the tour, Imperial College London joined forces with the UK Space Agency to build upon their recently launched website, I’m a Space Person, which highlights the range of careers in the space industry. Here, visitors can also download a range of free space-based education resources and career tips as well as an online version of the tour.
Dr Simon Foster, Outreach Officer and Teacher, Department of Physics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, said: “We have been delighted to collaborate with the UK Space Agency on their Space for Everyone tour website.
“The space sector is a huge part of the UK economy and giving young people an understanding of the diverse range of careers on offer and how to access them is vital to ensure that we have a healthy talent pipeline”.
For further information about the Space for Everyone tour and to watch the online broadcast, please visit the tour website or follow @spacegovuk on social media.
All “fore” a good cause – Don’t miss your chance to play in Edinburgh’s exclusive charity golf tournament
It’s a rivalry that has kept football fans on the edge of their stadium seats for almost 150 years – that between Edinburgh’s Hibernian F.C and Heart of Midlothian F.C.
And now that competition is set to hit the golf course as footballing legends from Hibs and Hearts prepare to tee off in an exclusive charity golf tournament. What’s more, local supporters are being offered a unique opportunity to play alongside these football icons as entries into the inaugural Auld Reekie Cup teams officially open to the public.
Taking place on Thursday 26th October at the historic Royal Burgess Golfing Society, the Auld Reekie Cup is set to be a memorable golf day with a difference, featuring friendly competition and banter, with great prizes and bragging rights up for grabs.
Switching the pitch for the fairway will be fitba stars Scott Brown, Mixu Paatelainen, Steven Whittaker, Derek Riordan, Gordon Hunter, Steven Tweed, Ally McLeod, John Blackley and John Brownlie playing for Hibernian, and Jim Brown, Scott Crabbe, Eammon Bannon and Graeme Shaw playing for Hearts. More big names will be confirmed in the coming days.
And it’s all in aid of a great cause. Thanks to the Hanlon Stevenson Foundation and the Big Hearts Community Trust, all money raised will be used to support projects promoting young people’s mental health.
Speaking ahead of the event, Hanlon Stevenson Foundation Ambassador Paul Demarco said; “Uniting old rivals for a common cause, this charity golf day will bring Hibs and Hearts together on the green to tee up support for young people’s mental health.
“Hanlon Stevenson Foundation are delighted to be working with Big Hearts Community Trust, proving that when it comes to making a positive difference, our shared purpose is stronger than any rivalry.”
Big Hearts Community Trust Chief Executive Craig Wilson added; “We are thrilled to have been asked to be part of this exciting new event alongside The Hanlon Stevenson Foundation which will allow us to support even more young people across Edinburgh.
“We already do a host of work in this area and know the challenges that exist. We hope to have a full team of golfers joining us and our playing legends on what will be a great day at such a historic venue, all for a great cause.”
The Auld Reekie Cup will take place at The Royal Burgess Golfing Society on Thursday 26th October.
Entries into both teams are now open. Teams of 3 plus a playing legend are priced at £900 +VAT. To purchase a ticket for the Hibernian team please email graeme@hanlonstevensonfoundation.co.uk
Almost 430,000 18-21 year olds with an unclaimed Child Trust Fund, worth an average of £2,000, are being urged by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to claim their cash as part of UK Savings Week (18 to 24 September 2023).
Child Trust Funds are long-term, tax-free savings accounts and were set up for every child born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011, with the UK Government contributing an initial deposit of at least £250. Funds can be withdrawn once the account matures when the child turns 18.
A recent student survey, conducted by UCAS, asked first and second year university students about Child Trust Funds and the results showed that they were most interested to know how much money was in their account (43%) and how to claim it (32%). The survey also revealed 60% of students got their information about Child Trust Funds from their parents.
Angela MacDonald, HMRC’s Second Permanent Secretary and Deputy Chief Executive, said:“Many 18-21 year olds are starting out in first jobs or apprenticeships, starting university or moving into their first home and their Child Trust Fund is a pot of money with their name on.
“I would encourage young people to use the online tool to track it down or, for parents of teenagers, to speak to them to ensure they’re aware of their Child Trust Fund. It could make a real difference to their future plans.”
There are currently 5.3 million open Child Trust Fund accounts. Young people aged 16 or over can take control of their own Child Trust Fund, although the funds can only be withdrawn once they turn 18. More than 500,000 matured Child Trust Fund accounts have been claimed or transferred into an ISA since the oldest children on the scheme turned 18 in September 2020.
Families can continue to pay in up to £9,000 a year tax-free into a Child Trust Fund until the account matures. The money stays in the account until the child withdraws or reinvests it into another account.
The UCAS survey revealed that 74% of respondents were aware of Child Trust Funds.
Further findings include:
more men (75%) were aware of Child Trust Funds compared to 73% of women
78% of 19 year olds were aware of Child Trust funds compared to 71% of 20 to 21 years olds
of the people who had not yet claimed their Child Trust Fund, 76% of respondents were likely to take steps to learn more about how to withdraw it.
Sharon Davies, CEO of Young Enterprise, said: “We would encourage all young people to investigate if they have money which is unclaimed in a Child Trust Fund and to use it wisely.
“A disproportionate amount of the money is unclaimed by young people from disadvantaged backgrounds who are the very people who would benefit most from these funds. The investment could be placed into an adult ISA or put towards driving lessons, education or starting a business.
“The money in a Child Trust Fund has the potential to be life changing and the lack of knowledge about them shows the importance of financial education and financial planning from a young age”.
The UK Government is offering help for households. Check GOV.UK to find out what cost of living support you could be eligible for.
Cost of living crisis brings need for financial literacy in young people into stark reality, says charity
Young Enterprise Scotland is highlighting the importance of financial education for young people during UK Savings Week.
Running from the 18th – 24th September, UK Savings Week is a campaign designed to heighten awareness of the benefits of saving, and creating positive attitudes towards financial resilience.
The call for awareness comes on the back of findings which show just 50% of 12-17 year olds in Scotland recall learning about money management in school (MaPs, 2020). A figure which is concerning in light of the current cost of living crisis.
The charity has created and developed Scotland’s Financial Schools programme to support the implementation of financial education in the curriculum, with the aim that every young person in Scotland is equipped with essential financial skills that will support them into adulthood.
The programme provides practitioners with support and a wide range of resources to develop their own understanding and support their students, including workshops, online modules, and their free ‘’Your Money Matters’ textbook, created through funding and support from Money Saving Expert, Martin Lewis. Featuring tips on budgeting, borrowing, and recognising scams and fraud, the textbook can be accessed for free on their website.
Emma Soanes, Chief Executive of Young Enterprise Scotland, said: “It has never been more important for young people to have the skills and knowledge to set them up for success, and financial education is a key component.
“We are determined that every child in Scotland should have access to financial education from an early age, and we aim to support teachers and schools to deliver this across the country.”
Financial education for young people is central to the work of Young Enterprise Scotland, which works with volunteers from the business community to deliver a future-proof programme of blended learning that is accessible to all. They also work with budding entrepreneurs, nurturing business ideas and supporting young people to bring their ideas to life, whilst developing skills and achieving their goals.
Find out more about Scotland’s Financial Schools here:
Screen Education Edinburgh is delighted to announce two exciting opportunities aimed at young people passionate about film
BFI Film Academy Short Course for Edinburgh and South East Scotland, delivered by Screen Education Edinburgh (SEE), and the SEE Young Filmmakers Hub
The BFI Film Academy Short Course for Edinburgh and South East Scotland, delivered by Screen Education Edinburgh (SEE), and SEE Young Filmmakers Hub are both projects designed to help aspiring young filmmakers gain practical knowledge and experience, while highlighting the various pathways into the screen industries.
These courses seek to empower learners to pursue their passion for filmmaking, inspiring them to future careers and success within the screen industries
BFI Film Academy Short Course 2023 for Edinburgh and South East Scotland, delivered by Screen Education Edinburgh:
The BFI Film Academy Short Courses offer opportunities for ambitious 16 to 19-year-olds to get to know more about film and how to forge a career in the screen industries. Delivered by Screen Education Edinburgh and supported by the BFI, awarding National Lottery funding, and Screen Scotland, this introductory, hands-on course builds knowledge and skills and shows the different pathways into the industry.
BFI Film Academy Short Courses take place across the UK for talented and committed young people aged 16-19, and they have proven to have an excellent track record of inspiring the next generation of filmmakers and crew.
Participants of the Course will make short films, learn from top talent working in the industry through masterclasses, and acquire the necessary knowledge and experience to build a career within the screen industries.
Not only does this course provide practical filmmaking experience, but also instils confidence, develops teamwork skills and creates a sense of being a part of a community of aspiring screen industry professionals. Along with filmmaking experience, these soft skills are crucial in finding success within the industry.
‘Prior to the BFI, I really lacked in confidence with film equipment and experience on set, and now I feel comfortable vocalising what I need done and know how to achieve it.
‘My biggest achievement on the course was when we were filming, my teammates and I worked well together, communicating and asking each other for help and advise.
‘This cemented the fact that I want film to be my chosen career and that I have new found skills. The course has given me a realistic understanding, as well as an appreciation of the film industry – inspiring me to make films of my own.’ – BFI Film Academy Short Course Participant 2022
Subject to successful completion of required assessments, this course can award learners the Preparing to Work in the Film Industry qualification, an NCFE Level 2 award. This qualification will benefit their professional development, whether through further film education courses or entering the industry.
This course is open to young people aged 16-19 years old, living in the Edinburgh, Clackmannanshire, East Lothian, Falkirk, Fife, Midlothian, Scottish Borders, Stirling and West Lothian areas. No prior experience is required.
The deadline for applications is the 24th of September 2023, at 5pm.
Sessions will take place from 11am to 6pm, while shooting days will last from 10am to 6pm. The sessions taking place on the 24th of October and 14th of November will be online, from 6pm to 8pm.
The course fee is £25; however, for those unable to pay this, we still encourage applying. Bursaries will be available for those who require assistance with fees or travel costs.
We understand that people have different accessibility needs, and that some communicate better through different mediums. Therefore, there is an option to submit a video application, rather than a written online form; further details regarding this can be found here.
In addition, we will be holding an open day for applicants at SEE on the 9th of September, 10am – 1pm. During this drop-in session, we will be on hand to help with the application process, as well as answer any questions.
SEE Young Filmmakers Hub:
Supported by the Sean Connery Foundation, the SEE Young Filmmakers Hub offers young people the opportunity to learn more about the art of filmmaking, regardless of their circumstances. Aimed at those aged 12-18 living in Edinburgh, learners will gain experience of working in a variety of filmmaking roles.
From sound and lighting design to cinematography and directing, this practical course provides valuable hands-on training in all aspects of filmmaking, allowing young people the chance to discover new interests and strengths.
Working in groups learners will be tasked with developing, shooting and editing their very own narrative short film. Through this course, we seek to empower young people to create their own ideas and tell stories that are meaningful to them, gaining self-confidence and fostering good teamwork skills.
‘My long term goal is to get into the film industry. I haven’t decided exactly what I want to do but I think I have a clearer idea after this course.
‘It feels like a very effective introduction to film as you gain an understanding of a wide range of different aspects of film, such as directing as well as sound and editing, rather than just one. I gained a lot of confidence with the technical side of filmmaking.’ – Participant Young Filmmakers Hub
The next stage of the Young Filmmakers Hub will take place from September/October to December 2023. Young people aged 12-15 years old living in Edinburgh are eligible to apply. More information and an application form can be found at https://www.screen-ed.org/yfh.
Learners will be split into groups based on age, with the course running on the following dates:
Group 1 (12-14): starting 21st September and continuing every Thursday
Group 2 (14-15): starting 19th September and continuing every Tuesday
Group 3 (16-18): starting 6th September and continuing every Wednesday
SEE is dedicated to making filmmaking accessible to people of all backgrounds and experience levels. The Hub is free, and no previous filmmaking experience is necessary; the only requirement is a love for films, and a desire to make your own.
Upon completion of this course, learners will be invited to enrol in more year-round filmmaking activities here at SEE. We are committed to providing ongoing support and development, nurturing the talents of aspiring filmmakers and empowering them to pursue their passion further.
