Criminals' seized assets helped 26,000 young people in Inverclyde, new figures show
MORE than 26,000 young people in Inverclyde have been helped by a scheme set up to plough assets seized from criminals back into local communities, according to new figures.
Almost £2.2 million has been spent in the area since the CashBack for Communities scheme was set up in 2008, the Scottish Government has revealed.
The initiative has helped fund Morton in the Community's Off the Bench programme, which aims to help young people across Inverclyde build better futures through access to education, physical and mental health support, as well as providing sailing opportunities through the Greenock-based Ocean Youth Trust.
The programme uses money recovered from seized criminal assets to provide crucial support to young people who may be at risk of becoming involved in offending or antisocial behaviour.
READ MORE: Open day to show off success of Morton community programme funded by criminals' seized assets
Over the years, CashBack for Communities funding has also been used to fund 'Midnight League' football sessions for local youngsters and education sessions in local schools on the dangers of carrying knives, as well as school holiday activity programmes and new play facilities for children.
The Scottish Government says that £2,187,132 has been spent in Inverclyde under the programme in the 16 years from 2008 to 2024, with 26,088 young people helped as a result.
In 2023-24, the most recent year for which information is available, the government says 361 young people in Inverclyde were supported by the initiative, with funding of £135,379 delivered in the area.
The government is now seeking applications for funding for the next phase of the programme, which runs from 2026 to 2029 and will see up to £26m provided to groups across Scotland.
CashBack for Communities funds Morton in the Community's Off the Bench programme. (Image: Supplied) Applications for funding open on June 12.
More information is available at cashbackforcommunities.org.
The government says successful projects in the next stage of the programme will deliver a range of activities and support for those aged 10 to 25, to help tackle some of the underlying causes of antisocial behaviour and criminal activity.
Since 2008 CashBack for Communities has invested £156 million and supported around 1.4 million young people across all 32 local authorities in Scotland.
Siobhian Brown MSP, minister for community safety, said: 'CashBack for Communities is inspiring. It turns the proceeds of crime into life-changing opportunities for the thousands of young people who take part in projects across Scotland every year.
The scheme has funded sailing opportunities for young people with the Greenock-based Ocean Youth Trust. 'Over the course of the next three years of the programme, we are providing £26 million to organisations to deliver diversionary and support work with children and young people.
"By learning new skills and boosting their confidence, it helps young people in our communities who are at risk of becoming involved in crime be diverted from that path and realise their potential.
'Since its inception more than a million young people have received support to turn their lives around, with opportunities provided into employment, education or volunteering.
"CashBack's success is also testament to the work of law enforcement partners in disrupting organised crime groups – bringing them to justice and seizing their ill-gotten gains, using them to deliver a successful programme across the country.'
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