Ten youth work organisations will share in £150,000 to help enhance community safety and support young people to make better choices, distributed by YouthLink Scotland’s ‘No Knives Better Lives’ initiative.
The grant issued to YouthLink Scotland will be evenly distributed to ten organisations across Scotland as part of the ‘No Knives Better Lives’ initiative. The scheme aims to drive down knife crime through focused youth work in hotspot locations, early intervention, and by supporting those at risk of disengaging from education.
Cabinet Secretary for Education Jenny Gilruth said:
“Supporting young people in making the right choices and community safety are crucial to everyone in Scotland enjoying a good quality of life wherever they live, work or travel around the country.
“The Scottish Government stands resolute in addressing the root causes of youth violence and knife crime. Every young person deserves a chance at a prosperous future. Preventing problems before they occur can only be achieved by working with partners like YouthLink Scotland.”
Tim Frew, CEO of YouthLink Scotland said:
“We warmly welcome this investment from the Scottish Government in youth work as a vital part of preventing violence and supporting young people early.
“Youth work is a powerful protective factor, helping young people build confidence, resilience and a sense of belonging through trusted relationships and safe spaces. This investment recognises the value of approaches that work and will strengthen the case for youth work as an essential part of violence prevention.”