CashBack scheme will benefit community

Getting Better Together in Shotts has received £10,000 for local creative and cultural activities. This grant from CashBack will develop the organisation’s highly successful programme of music workshops for local young people aged nine to 18. These workshops will give young people the opportunity to try a range of musical instruments, develop their abilities and eventually create their own music video.

The CashBack for Creativity Open Fund, administered by YouthLink Scotland and funded by Creative Scotland has awarded a total of £252,000 to 32 community-based arts projects across the country.

The fund offers a fantastic chance for young people to access a range of high-quality arts, screen and creative industries activities. The programme targets children and young people in communities and areas where there is currently a lack of opportunity.

CashBack for Creativity is funded by the Scottish Government through the CashBack for Communities programme, which redistributes the proceeds of crime to benefit young people. Since 2011, projects across the nation have benefited from a total of £1.4 million from the CashBack for Creativity Open Fund.

Jim Sweeney MBE, CEO YouthLink Scotland, The National Agency for Youth Work, said:

“We want to celebrate young people and the youth workers who make a difference. YOYP 2018 is all about celebrating their talents and achievements, and the contribution young people make to their communities and the wider world. CashBack is truly unique, Scotland is the only government within the UK that is using cash seized from criminals and putting it back where it should be, right at the heart of communities, to enrich young people through creative opportunities through great youth work.”