Hansard

There is something deeply satisfying about cash coming from the criminal fraternity and heading back into society. We have all been speaking about that, and many have mentioned it. We have to look at the fact that it is doing a lot of good, despite some of our differences about evaluation and some of the things that have been taken on. This has been a particularly useful debate.

I was very interested indeed in Malcolm Chisholm’s contribution, given that he is in a neighbouring constituency to mine. Some of the cashback money has been focused on that area of Edinburgh that perhaps has seen better times and most certainly has a better future. Some of the initiatives in that area should be commended.

I am delighted to have been called to speak in this debate because it gives me the chance to talk about a couple of projects in my area. We have gone through the figures and I do not want to regurgitate what has been said already. One of the areas that is very close to Malcolm Chisholm’s area—the council ward covers parts of both constituencies—is Muirhouse Forth ward, which contains the north Edinburgh arts centre, run by Kate Wimpress. The other day, she was gushing to me about what has been done through cashback for communities. The NEA demo fund was awarded £7,870 for a project that allowed five unpublished solo artists or bands up to the age of 25 to record professionally mastered demo tracks and create links with industry experts, thereby increasing access to further education opportunities.

When we think about such initiatives, we should remember that it is not just about communities but about individuals. One of those individuals, Calum Cummins, a production volunteer and artist, said:

“The demo fund gave me the kind of specialist support which encouraged my development both as a youth worker, musician and artist and gave me valuable experience which will hopefully help me move towards my goal of taking on a professional role in the creative industries.”

The other project, the Muirhouse youth development group ruffin it project, gained just over £25,000. The project engaged young people from the Forth ward area, which I share with Malcolm Chisholm. The area has seen lower levels of engagement with the arts, as was found through a taking part survey. The project encouraged greater participation to inspire people’s lives and that of the extended community. Through film-making, the project provided a range of opportunities for young people to input creatively. A short film entitled “Ruffin’ it in Muirhouse” was created and screened to more than 200 people at NEA and the Filmhouse in October 2013.

That project aimed to support the health and wellbeing of young people by getting them involved with and participating in film-making. It provided them with a platform to air their reflections on life, and contributed to their overall wellbeing and sense of self. It filled a gap in provision by creating opportunities for intergenerational work between older and younger community members and, through work with ethnic minority young people, encouraging greater community cohesion. It is a fine piece of work.

Perhaps the most exciting part of those two examples, which have happened thanks to cashback for communities, is the sense of achievement that comes from having the confidence to try. Personal development is the key to cashback for communities. It really does work and it should be highlighted.

Many people have talked about basketball. It is not a sport that I know terribly well, but it turns out that my community sports hub, which I believe that the cabinet secretary has visited on a few occasions, at the Forrester and St Augustine’s complex, is one of the centres for basketball. I spoke to Chris Dodds, a senior officer at basketballscotland, which is sited at the Gyle in my constituency, who gushed forth about what cashback does for sports in the local community.

One of the issues that came up in the Health and Sport Committee some time ago was the participation of girls under 16 in sport. Therefore, it was fantastic for me to hear that, through cashback, basketballscotland is able to run programmes that encourage girls under 16 to participate and a record number of young girls are taking up the sport. Given the debate that we had on that issue a few months ago, I think that is fantastic. It is a real success story. Given all the other elements, such as creating team spirit and community spirit and bringing in kids from areas that have seen better days, whoever thought this project up had a light bulb moment, as Maureen Watt said. It really has been absolutely fantastic.

I see that my time is running a little bit short, so I commend the motion from the cabinet secretary. Whatever we think about the evaluation, this project is something that works and it is effective.