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Natasha Haney first walked into the Foundation’s CashBack programme low on confidence and looking for a job. Thanks to the project and the support of the delivery staff, the 19-year-old is now confident in herself and is even enjoying working in the high-pressure environment of a professional kitchen.

Our CashBack for Communities – Towards New Futures course aims to re-engage young people who have previous experience with, or are at risk of becoming involved in, the criminal justice system, and helps them move towards a more positive future, including employment, training, or further education.

Natasha’s journey is a great example of the transformative impact the programme can have. Her story began with a simple recommendation from a family member and quickly developed from there. This is Natasha’s story about how she found the courage to take that first step and how it allowed her to reach her goals.

She said:

“I first heard about the CashBack programme through my sister, Jacqueline. She was on the course before me and knew the staff here. She thought it would be good for me too, so I got in touch and that’s how I got involved. When I first came along, I thought it might be too busy for me and I’d feel quite anxious, but it was really easy to settle in.

“I suffer from really bad anxiety, so I was quite quiet and kept to myself at first, but when I got here, the staff were great.”

“I thought to myself that this would be a good opportunity to get out of my comfort zone and it really helped that everybody was so nice.”

As Natasha grew more comfortable within the programme, her confidence grew quickly. It offered not only structure but also a much-needed boost to her mental wellbeing.

She explained:

“Before I started, I was always stuck at home and not doing much with myself. I don’t feel like I had a good childhood or secondary school experience and I left with three National 4’s. After that, I was going from job to job, but nothing was stable, and sometimes I’d go without work for months which messes with your mental health a bit, because you’re not getting up, getting out, or keeping your mind occupied.

“When I started coming here, I was getting out every single day. Whether it was just for half a day or a bit longer, it kept me busy and interacting with people. It was just better for me in terms of my mental health, and it gave me a goal to work towards.”

The course is delivered at the Ibrox Community Complex by CashBack Co-ordinator, Zander Carruth, and Community Assistant, Callum Esler and they are supported by a wider Foundation team. It works in partnership with four Scottish prisons and Govan Thriving Place (as well as other referral routes) to target and support a variety of young people aged 16–24 from the local area and beyond.

The support Natasha received didn’t end when the sessions did. Thanks to the dedication of the delivery staff and the strong links the Foundation has built with industry partners, Natasha’s career goals quickly began to take shape.

She added:

“My mum was a chef before she had kids, my sister Jacqueline is a chef, and so is my sister Kirsteen so it kind of runs in the family. There are great opportunities to progress and work around the world, which was really appealing to me.

“I spoke to Zander during a break one day and he mentioned that the Foundation links with Scotsman Hospitality and that they were coming to visit CashBack the following week. I already had my SQA Level 2 Food Safety, so I knew I had a bit of a head start. I had an interview with Laura Campbell from Scotsman, and the very next day she phoned me to say there was an opportunity at The Corinthian in Glasgow and that if I wanted it, the job was mine.

“The staff really helped me reach my goal. I was offered the chance to finish the programme before starting the role, but I really wanted to grab the job with both hands.”

“Ever since then, I’ve been working away in the kitchen. I’ve been there for two months now and I’m really enjoying it.”

CashBack participants can improve their physical and mental health through accredited fitness and coaching sessions, as well as a mental health first aid course. The initiative includes a range of formal and industry-recognised awards (including through the Foundation’s SQA Centre status), vocational work experience, and the development of core skills to enhance employment prospects and CVs.

The programme is free and runs four days per week for eight weeks. Participants also receive ongoing support after completing the course to help them stay motivated and on track to achieving their goals.

From the perspective of delivery staff, Natasha stands out as someone who fully embraced the programme and shows how programmes like CashBack can act as a launchpad for young people.

CashBack Co-ordinator Zander Carruth said:

“The whole time Natasha was with us, she showed a really good work ethic. She came in with the right attitude and was determined to get something out of her time on the programme. She completed everything to a really high standard, and we quickly realised we could get her on the right path.

Through our link with Laura, we were able to speak to her and let her know that Natasha was really interested in working in a kitchen so we knew it would be a good match. We can only do so much though; Natasha really threw herself at the opportunity, showed she had what it takes to work in that environment, and now it’s great to see her sticking at it and doing something she enjoys.

It’s great to see the changes in Natasha from when she first walked through the door to now. You can tell she’s a lot more confident and passionate about what she’s doing. It’s fantastic to have participants with that sense of pride in what they’ve gone on to achieve.”

Natasha’s success is not only a testament to her own determination but also to the supportive environment created on the course. Her journey from uncertainty to self-belief highlights the core values of the programme. Natasha is eager to encourage others to take that same first step.

She said:

“If I could speak to someone who was in the same position I was, I’d tell them to do this course 100%. Even if you don’t have a clear vision of what you want to do, this place can give you qualifications to help you get started.

Coming here gets you out of your comfort zone and helps you be more active. The great thing is that you’re offered chances to speak to people and employers you might not otherwise have access to and that can really give your career a kickstart.

Before the course, I wasn’t doing anything. I felt like I could never be successful and I felt a wee bit like a failure.”

“But as I worked through the course, gained qualifications, and eventually got the apprenticeship offer, I had that moment where I no longer felt like a failure.”

I’ve branched out, got a job, and now I feel so much better. I’m not nervous about meeting new people, and I’ve got the confidence to just go and do things without overthinking because coming here has taught me that I can do things.”

CashBack for Communities is a unique Scottish Government programme which takes funds recovered through the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and invests them into community programmes, facilities, and activities largely aimed at diverting young people at risk away from potentially criminal or anti-social behaviour.

For more information or to register your interest, email CashBack Co-ordinator Zander Carruth at: zandercarruth@rangers.co.uk.