Fife youth projects benefiting from criminals’ cash

Nearly £50,000 of loot seized from criminals is benefiting youth projects across Fife.

In the latest round of funding YouthLink Scotland has awarded more than £47,900 of CashBack money to 16 local organisations to deliver a whole range of projects for young Fifers.

Over the past nine years, the Scottish Government programme has invested funds recovered from the proceeds of crime into free activities and programmes for young people.

Receiving funding was Raith Rovers Community Foundation which was awarded £4,002.

Head of community development Paul Doig said: “Our work is not only widening access to football. We’re also using the power of football to support community development and community learning.

“Our pop-up street pitch initiative, for example, was gifted to the community foundation from Fife Council, with support from Police Scotland and the CashBack for Communities programme.”

Raith captain Jason Thomson said: “I, like many others, started playing football on the street. The team take their turn to get involved in the work of the club and the community foundation, the boys really enjoy it.”

Cupar Youth Café received £5,890 and youth café coordinator Gemma Frail said: “CashBack has been a huge part of the delivery of youth work at Cupar Youth Café.

“It has given us the opportunity to target more young people, offer new projects based on the needs of our local young people and a chance to sustain these projects past the funding period.”

Susan Neilson, Fife services manager for the Scottish Association of Mental Health, welcomed its £2,390 grant which will be used to deliver workshops at FRAPPY Youth Group in Fife.

“Through these sessions, young people will learn about practical ways to implement the New Economic Foundation’s five ways to better wellbeing,” she said.