Hansard

I, too, congratulate Andrew Welsh on securing the debate on his motion. I got to know him well when we were both members of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body and I know of his great pride in being the representative of Angus and the interest that he takes in the welfare of his constituents in Arbroath. We can talk about success in a positive way in that context.

As Alex Johnstone pointed out, the Community Alcohol Free Environment project—to give CAFE its full name—was established as a charity in July 1996, following an open meeting of the Arbroath and district crime prevention panel seminar on juvenile delinquency. We can all agree on the value of the CAFE project in promoting personal development and health and in providing employment, education and training services. It also provides an alternative to life on the streets, where young people at risk from exclusion, alcohol and substance misuse and delinquency can socialise and participate in a wide range of activities in a safe environment.

I understand that it is open six nights a week and caters regularly for 250 young people. A wide range of activities is offered, including internet access, pool, table tennis, air hockey and darts, and there are electronic games consoles and a television. In addition, outdoor activities and trips are organised, including skiing, mountain biking, gorge walking, youth club visits, five-a-side football and the football project to which Andrew Welsh referred. While he was talking about the project, I was thinking that such initiatives might also deal with Donald Gorrie's point about no sectarianism—perhaps Alex Ferguson could learn from them not to repeat what happened last weekend.

The Executive is totally committed to tackling drugs misuse and we recognise its impact on young people, families and the wider community. In addition to other expenditure, we have invested in the future of young people by making funds available through the drugs element of the changing children's services fund. The Scottish Executive's plan for action on alcohol problems offers a chance to reduce significantly the harm caused by alcohol in Scotland and recognises the importance of education and prevention in tackling alcohol misuse. The strategy acknowledges specifically the work of the CAFE project as an example of how the Executive's policy has been given practical effect.

I agree with Keith Raffan that our young people should have access to well-supported venues where they can meet in a safe environment and where they are encouraged to participate in constructive social activities. Those activities do not necessarily have to be fully organised and focused. Just having a place to meet friends helps young people to strengthen their networks and gives them a greater degree of involvement with their communities. It is important to recognise the importance of community involvement beginning at a young age. We want to inculcate the habit of getting involved in community activity in all our young people. That is one of the commitments that they can make to their future and to that of the community.

As has been highlighted, more structured activities also bring great benefits. Involving young people in decision making and organising events helps them to develop life skills. As well as acquiring practical skills, such as analysis, communication and team working, they develop increased confidence in their abilities.

Jamie Stone pointed out the importance of the Highland youth parliament. When the Scottish youth parliament launches its manifesto next week, the First Minister and Cathy Jamieson will be in attendance. This year, we funded the Scottish youth parliament to the tune of £82,000. We will continue to fund that activity, even though the youth parliament does not agree with every dot and comma of Scottish Executive policy. It is important that people have the opportunity to talk for themselves and to present their views.

The Arbroath project has benefited from work that is being developed through the dialogue youth pilots and the Young Scot initiative. The Executive has provided £1.9 million for the development of three pilots in Angus, Argyll and Bute and Glasgow. The pilots have established a groundbreaking framework for the provision of services to young people, who are now making important decisions on how they want public services to be delivered.

As part of that development, a network of access portals has been created that gives access to the council broadband network. Local voluntary youth work providers, such as the CAFE project, have been given access to that network. Part of the Executive's funding has covered the cost of installing the communications equipment that offers high-speed, low-cost broadband access. I am sorry that Kenny MacAskill is not here to hear about that broadband access.

All the partners agree that the pilots have been a major success. More important, the young people who have been involved in their development and use have voted them an overwhelming success.

Donald Gorrie mentioned the roll-out of the initiative. The Executive will provide a further £5.4 million to roll it out in other local authority areas. I am sure that members would agree that supporting such an exciting and successful innovation is a first-class use of our money.

In considering how we can take a more co-ordinated approach to youth work, we must develop a better understanding of how each of the sectors that are involved can work together and of how those relationships can be enhanced to ensure that the best possible service is delivered throughout Scotland.

Last April, we announced that YouthLink Scotland, which already represented and supported voluntary youth organisations, had taken on a greatly expanded role. YouthLink is doing two key pieces of work in support of a more co-ordinated approach.

First, the role that YouthLink can play in helping co-ordinated working between the statutory and voluntary sectors, between central and local government and between departments therein is being developed. That will enable historic barriers to be overcome. Secondly, we have asked YouthLink to carry out a mapping exercise of youth work provision throughout Scotland, which will cover the voluntary and statutory sectors. That will help to identify any gaps between supply and demand, record examples of good practice and flag up areas of duplication. Once the exercise has been completed, we will be in a much better position to know what action is needed, where it is needed and what might be the most effective way to deliver results.

Those are important developments in the delivery of services to young people and in our efforts to engage young people more actively in our, and their, society.

The motion has been lodged to celebrate the achievements of the CAFE project in Arbroath. I am happy to celebrate those achievements. As Irene McGugan pointed out, the lodging of two motions for debate is testament to those achievements. Every speaker has commended the work that has been done. I congratulate everyone who has been involved in those achievements, which I hope lay the foundation for much more good work in years to come.