Creative and cultural activities in the Inverness area have received a welcomed boost – in the form of cash seized from criminals.
High Life Highland have receive a total of £4,765 allowing young people to participate in activities such as film making, fashion design, arts and crafts, dance creations, creative writing and poetry.
The funding has been made possible from the CashBack for Creativity Open Fund, which has seen £252,000 distributed among 32 community-based arts projects across Scotland through YouthLink Scotland.
The Scottish Government funded Creativity Open Fund comes under the CashBack for Communities programme, which redistributes the proceeds of crime to benefit young people.
Anna Surgeoner of High Life Highland said: "We are very grateful for the award . This will enable us to provide young people from disadvantage backgrounds within the local area diversionary provision offering creative activities to engage in.
“These activities will take place on a Friday night and aim to bring young people together, encouraging them to make new friends, develop more confidence and skills by trying new creative activities and by sharing new opporrtunities and experiences with their peers."
Since 2011 a total of £1.4million has been invested from the CashBack for Creativity Open Fund.
Jim Sweeney MBE, CEO YouthLink Scotland, said: “CashBack is truly unique, Scotland is the only government within the UK that is using cash seized from criminals and putting it back where it should be, right at the heart of communities, to enrich and invest in our young people through creative opportunities through great youth work.”