CashBack for Communities Youth Work Fund Annual Report 2020 / 21
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Foreword by Catch the Light ( external evaluators )
Just as the CashBack for Communities Youth Work Fund closed for applications , Scotland along with countries the world over , was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic . One year on the Scottish Government is maintaining a series of restrictions although they are beginning to ease . As the vaccination programme advances , we anticipate that youth provision will gradually reopen during the second year of Round 5 . This report focuses on year one , with some reflection on how we might expect the sector to emerge from the lockdown in year two .
At the other end of the spectrum , where organisations were unable to operate there is evidence of widening gaps and a greater disconnect , with youth providers now finding it difficult to reconnect with young people that once engaged with them – a year of lost services and lost young people . The challenge for years two and three will be on closing the gap and forming new or rekindling former connections .
For some organisations year one resulted in a complete closure of their services , as schools and public buildings were shut . Staff were moved onto the furlough scheme with varying levels of permitted interaction with young people from no contact , outside only contact , or tightly restricted indoor work .
This report highlights some incredible efforts where youth organisations rose to every challenge , providing a crucial lifeline to their community . The shift to digital youth work was particularly significant allowing youth work organisations to engage young people as part of a regular online community . Others operated as part of the crisis response retaining positive supportive relationships as well as making sure that young people and their wider family and community networks were supported during the difficult circumstances . Some youth organisations gained a new status in their communities by giving young people positive ways to be part of a response to the crisis .