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The CashBack for Communities – Towards New Futures programme supports young people aged 16–24 who have experience of the criminal justice system to build positive futures through education, practical learning and employability support.

Delivered by the Rangers Charity Foundation at the Ibrox Community Complex, the programme provides participants with the opportunity to gain recognised qualifications, develop confidence and receive ongoing one-to-one guidance.

For Carson, joining the programme marked a turning point after a challenging period in school and in his personal life.

“Before CashBack I was just going out on the street, fighting, just being a bad person. I tried to fight security, tried to fight with workers, even teachers at my school. That meant I was put on a part-time timetable because they said I was a danger in the school. I was only allowed in if there were going to be enough teachers to supervise me because I had to have two of them to walk me to every class.”

Carson was attending Knightswood Secondary School when a conversation with Knightswood’s Foundation Community Hub Officer Mark King introduced him to a new opportunity.

“Because I went to school in Knightswood, I had worked with one of the Foundation’s Hub Officers, Mark King. He mentioned to me about the Wider Achievement programme which allowed me to come to Ibrox one day a week and work towards qualifications outside school.

Through that, I learned about Cashback after chatting with the staff and knew that I wanted to keep coming to Ibrox and work towards new things. They had already helped me get qualifications and go through job preparation and things like that so going onto the CashBack programme so I could come four days a week instead of one was an easy choice for me.”

The CashBack programme runs four days per week for eight weeks and works closely with Scottish prisons, Govan Thriving Place and other local referral partners to ensure those who need the opportunity most are able to access it at no cost to them. As an SQA approved centre, the Foundation enables every participant to work towards recognised qualifications alongside practical learning.

For Carson, this structure and support quickly translated into tangible progress.

“I’ve learned a lot since I started coming to the course because I’ve got qualifications now that I would never have gotten in school. I left Knightswood with National 3 qualifications but now I’ve got National 5’s and other things that will help me to apply for jobs.”

Beyond qualifications, the programme also focuses on preparing young people for the realities of the workplace.

“There’s other stuff too I’ve found out about, like the do’s and dont’s when you’re in a job. So now I’ve got those new qualifications to help me get a job and also know how to behave when you’re in employment.”

Partnership delivery is an important part of the course, including inputs from Police Scotland, which encourage participants to reflect on choices, consequences and responsibility.

“I spoke about it earlier, but I was getting up to no good and causing bother out in the street but because the CashBack programme have Police Scotland to come in and deliver you find out about what can happen to you if you keep behaving like that.”

“Keiran from the local police team came in and spoke to us about different types of crime and the outcomes of that if you’re found guilty so I know about the repercussions of knife crime and hate crime and also how we should behave when you’re at the football too.”

These conversations helped Carson see authority figures in a different light.

“You get a different perspective on the police as well because when you’re out causing bother then you’re obviously going to have a negative experience with them, but when they come in and talk to you, you understand what their job is like and how your behaviour can make their job more difficult.”

As Carson began planning for the future, employability became a key focus.

“One of the biggest things for me here has been building on my CV. I can now put in those new qualifications I’ve got and say to people ‘look what I’ve been doing and what I’ve learned.’ That’s going to help me a lot when I’m applying for jobs and things.”

Strong relationships with staff have played a major role in supporting Carson’s progress.

“Callum and Zander (who deliver the course), I know they’re busy people, but they’ve actually got the time to sit with you and give you the help you need. If you are struggling, then they will take time out to help you get through whatever it is you’re stuck with.”

“The main difference compared to teachers is that they just have so many pupils to look after and help so with Zander and Callum both being here, you can always get the help you need.”

Foundation Cashback Coordinator Zander Carruth has seen Carson’s development first-hand and highlights his commitment and growth.

“Carson always turns up on time and tries his best. He’s willing to ask questions, get the best out of himself and get out of his comfort zone. He was referred to us from Knightswood Secondary School through our own school Community Hub Officer, Mark King. Through this link we’ve been able to keep Carson engaged in his education and get him working towards qualifications.”

Zander also explains how tailoring learning approaches has helped Carson thrive.

“The school environment wasn’t for him but by attending CashBack, he’s had the chance to get his Emergency First Aid at Work, First Aid for Mental Health and a SQA Steps to Work award. We now know what he wants to do longer term, so we’ve been able to offer interview prep and CV building that’s tailored towards his long-term goals.”

“Carson’s got a good support network in place where we can offer bespoke support for him.

“We ensure that the way we deliver the course is tailored because education is not one size fits all.”

“We’re aware some people need more support than others or different types of support. The formal educational setting where you would be sitting down facing the front with textbooks just didn’t resonate with him however, he’s quite a practical learner so when we’ve been able to do workshops with providers where he engaged really well.”

The programme continues to support participants beyond the initial eight weeks, offering ongoing one-to-one guidance to help sustain positive destinations in training, education or employment. The free programme is open to young people aged 16–24 who have experience of the criminal justice system, previous convictions or heading in that direction, with no prior qualifications required.

CashBack for Communities is a Scottish Government programme which takes funds recovered from the proceeds of crime and invests them into free activities and programmes for young people across Scotland.

For Carson, the impact has been transformative — not just in terms of qualifications, but in confidence, behaviour and future ambition.

“The CashBack programme is great, and I’d say to anyone who was in the same position as me to give it try. I’ve learned so many new things that will help me move forward in life and it’s helped sort out my behaviour as well.”

To apply or find out more, please email our CashBack Coordinator, Zander Carruth on: rangerscharity@rangers.co.uk