Leading charity claims proceeds of crime helping steer Dumfries and Galloway teenagers towards brighter futures

Daily Record

29-07-2025

Aberlour Children's Charity has detailed the success of Alternative Routes, a lifeline support service funded by money seized from criminals.
A leading charity claims the proceeds of crime are helping steer teenagers in Dumfries and Galloway towards brighter futures.
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Aberlour Children's Charity has detailed the success of Alternative Routes, a lifeline support service funded by money seized from criminals.
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The expert support helps children and young people at risk of offending find a new way forward.
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Deborah Grant, Aberlour assistant director, said the five-strong team is on track to support 330 young people, mostly boys aged between 10 and 15, in the region over three years.
She said: 'The service has changed the lives of many young people and their stories are inspiring. They are finding new confidence in their abilities and new hope for their futures.'
Data collected by the charity revealed four-fifths of the 79 children supported last year said they were less likely to take part in anti-social behaviour and 72 per cent said their behaviour had improved.
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Around 80 per cent said they had a better relationship with teachers and were attending school more regularly. Three in five said they had more self-belief while 65 per cent said they were stronger mentally.
Deborah also highlighted the 'ripple effect' seen when the support for one member of a family helps improve the health and lives of parents, grandparents or siblings.
She said: 'We have also seen a significant increase in demand for emotional and practical support from parents of the young people we work with.
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'Supporting parents in turn strengthens our work with their children and improves their chances of long-term success.'
Many of the young people, aged between 10 and 25, have complex social and emotional needs, while some are neurodivergent or are waiting for medical assessments. Many already have experience of the criminal justice system.
The charity's team, based at family support hubs at Dumfries, Annan and Stranraer and working with partners Inspiring Scotland, delivers support in group, family and individual sessions, designed to build young people's skills, confidence and ambition.
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Young people are encouraged to understand their previous behaviour and encouraged to address the underlying causes, such as difficult relationships with their parents or problematic use of alcohol and drugs.
Around 26 per cent of children in Dumfries and Galloway are growing up in low-income homes and the Aberlour support is centred on five of the poorest areas: North -West Dumfries, Stranraer and the Rhins, Mid and Upper Nithsdale, Annandale South, and Nith.
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Jonathan's story:
Jonathan, not his real name, was using cannabis regularly and at risk of falling out of education before finding support with Alternative Routes.
Through one-to-one support, the Aberlour service helped him reduce his drugs and re-engage with school after missing almost a full year.
After changing school and being offered extra tuition to catch-up, he began studying at home for the first time and is now exploring college options.
The positive impact of that help and support has extended further with his girlfriend, who had also been out of education due to challenges at school, finding a work placement in a café. She says Jonathan's progress made her want to try again.
Asked how working with the charity has helped turn things around, Jonathan, now 17, said, 'You've been good to talk to. You talk sense into me.'