Cashback Co-ordinator, Rangers Charity Foundation
The Rangers Charity Foundation’ Towards New Futures programme, funded via CashBack for Communities, aims to re-engage young people leaving prison or with experience of the criminal justice system, helping them move towards a more positive future including working, volunteering or further education. CashBack for Communities is a Scottish Government programme that takes funds recovered from the proceeds of crime and invests them into free activities and programmes for young people across Scotland.
CLICK BELOW TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CASHBACK FOR COMMUNITIES
The project is one of a broad range of programmes delivered within Ibrox Stadium under the ‘Foundation for Potential’ strategic pillar and works in partnership with four Scottish prisons and Govan Thriving Place (as well as other referral routes) to provide targeted support to a variety of young people aged 16 – 24 from the local area and beyond.
Participants improve their physical and mental health by taking part in accredited fitness and coaching sessions and a mental health first aid course. The initiative includes a variety of formal and industry recognised awards (including utilising the Foundation’s SQA Centre status), vocational work experience and the development of core skills which greatly enhance their employment prospects and CVs.
The free eight-week programme is enjoying excellent outcomes, with 85% of the participants moving on to a positive destination.
In the last 12 months, 82% of young people on our CashBack Programme achieved a SQA Level 4 qualification which can often be the first formal qualification they have achieved. 74% also report increased confidence after attending.
Recent course graduate Abbey Prior was inspired to help people as an Army Medical Technician thanks to the first aid skills she gained with the Rangers Charity Foundation.
Abbey was finding herself in regular “trouble” with the law and reported for antisocial behaviour. She was then referred by Police Scotland to join the Foundation’s CashBack for Communities Towards New Futures programme.
Thanks to the CashBack course content, which includes the opportunity to gain first aid qualifications, Abbey is now pursuing a career in the Royal Army Medical Corps.
She said:
“When I did the first aid with the CashBack course, I didn’t know what to do (with my life) but that made me realise that I wanted to do something along those lines and that’s why I have signed up to the Army as a medic.
“The skills I have gained are first aid and skills to help with mental health. I’ve also developed communication skills and I’m now better at talking to people and timekeeping.
“I’ve decided to be a medic because, when I did the first aid, I realised I liked helping people.”
Rangers Charity Foundation is the first Football Club related Foundation in the UK to have an in-house Youth Hub supported by the Department of Work and Pension’s Job Centre plus which means there is the added benefit of a full-time work coach available to assist employability course participants. An in-house Trauma Counsellor is also on hand to provide additional one on one support.
Abbey has benefitted from utilising the Foundation’s SQA Centre status to gain qualifications and skills that employers can recognise.
She continued:
“I would recommend it because (before I joined the programme) I didn’t know how to look for a job or how to apply but this course has helped me with my CV and how to apply.
“(Without the CashBack course) I’d probably still be getting into trouble or doing nothing. The impact it has had has probably kept me out of trouble and made me realise what job I want to do.”
During the CashBack programme, Abbey attended Open University courses including:
- English
- Exercise and Sport and Inclusion
She further gained a number of formal qualifications, including:
- First Aid at Work Award (SCQF Level 6)
- First Aid for Mental Health Award (SCQF Level 5)
- SQA Steps to Work Award (SCQF Level 4)
Abbey also went on to captain a football team consisting of CashBack course candidates who were invited to take part in a football match against Police Scotland, a key partner of the Foundation in aiding support to young people looking for employment.
Watch the video – CLICK THE PICTURE LINK BELOW – to find out more about the Foundation’s CashBack for Communities Towards New Futures programme and hear from Abbey.
