£22k funding invested into Renfrewshire projects
Four projects working with young people across Renfrewshire are cashing in with a fantastic £22,400 windfall.
The money is coming from CashBack for Communities, a Scottish Government programme which takes funds recovered from criminal activity and invests them into free activities and programmes for young people across Scotland.
In the latest round of funding, Paisley YMCA has been given £8,156; Renfrew YMCA will benefit from £5,407; Create Paisley will receive £5,067 while Loud ‘n’ Proud will get £3,850.
Darran Gillan, youth and programme development manager at Paisley YMCA said the cash would be used for their youth work.
He explained: “Funding from the CashBack initiative is enabling young people living in Renfrewshire to develop new digital skills and explore STEM activity in a fun and innovative way through Paisley YMCA’s digital makerspace.”
The makerspace is where youngsters can learn about everything from robotics and coding to app development and video game design.
The CashBack for Communities Youth Work Fund has been operating for nine years and is administered and delivered by the National Agency for Youth Work, YouthLink Scotland.
It is available to any project that aims to engage young people in exciting, challenging and developmental youth work opportunities in communities across Scotland.
Chief executive of YouthLink Scotland, Jim Sweeney MBE, said: “The role of great youth work in broadening young people’s horizons should never be underestimated.
“It is often through the power of creative experiences that young people realise there is a positive path in life and they can achieve their ambitions despite difficult circumstances they may face.
“CashBack is an investment in the next generation and a mark of a society that values all its young people.”
Since 2008, the Scottish Government has committed £ 75 million to CashBack/Community Initiatives, funding community activities and facilities largely, but not exclusively, for young people.
The role of great youth work should never be underestimated Jim Sweeney MBE