Phase 4 of CashBack for Creativity was delivered from 2017-2020, funded by the Scottish Government’s CashBack for Communities programme. It offered young people aged 10-24 across Scotland the opportunity to engage in creative and cultural activity. It provided high quality learning and developmental activities in all art forms which improved young people’s skills and confidence, raised attainment and aspirations, and provided pathways for further learning, training, education and employment. From 2017-2020, CashBack for Creativity funded 141 programmes and projects across 25 local authorities, reaching 14,272 young people.
The evaluation carried out by BOP Consulting shows that in Year 3 of CashBack for Creativity Phase 4, a total of 5,389 young people participated in the activities of 60 projects.
This included 2,282 young people across the 15 projects within the Targeted Fund, and 3,107 young people across the 45 projects of the Open Fund.
CashBack for Creativity is reaching those living in some of Scotland’s poorest areas:
76.6% of participants came from or took part in the 0-20% most deprived areas of Scotland, and just 13.5% from within the 50-100% least deprived areas of Scotland.
High numbers of participants were recorded as achieving positive outcomes as a result of taking part, including:
The outcomes that scored particularly highly against what was expected in Year 3 were those related to taking part in accreditations or progressing to positive destinations. These included:
These numbers indicate strong relationships between the funded organisations and local schools and colleges, as well as having an impact on a wide range of personal outcomes.
The outcome areas that scored lower than expected include:
However, the report recognises that there is a logical sequence for some of the additional outcomes to be achieved and that confidence to participate in something new is often the first step for the most vulnerable young people.
