Proceeds of crime help D&G teens stay out of trouble
The proceeds of crime are helping steer teenagers in Dumfries and Galloway towards brighter futures, according to a leading charity.
Aberlour Children’s Charity has detailed the success of Alternative Routes #CashBack, a lifeline support service funded by money seized from criminals.
The expert support helps children and young people at risk of offending find a new way forward. Aberlour assistant director, Deborah Grant, said the five-strong team is on track to support 330 young people, mostly boys aged between ten and 15, in the region over three years.
Grant 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% said their behaviour had improved.
Around 80% 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% said they were stronger mentally.
Grant 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.
“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 ten 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.
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% 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.
Funding for the services comes from the proceeds of crime seized by the Scottish Government and channelled back into communities.
Projects supporting young people at risk of being drawn into criminal activities are to receive up to £26 million over the next three years.
The Scottish Government’s CashBack for Communities programme reinvests criminal assets recovered through the Proceeds of Crime Act, to provide crucial support to young people who may be at risk of becoming involved in offending or antisocial behaviour.
The charity works to help young people, who are already in or at risk of entering the criminal justice system, to find a new path to work or further education.
Jonathan’s story
‘You talk sense into me.’
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 said:
You’ve been good to talk to. You talk sense into me.