YIPWORLD in Cumnock is one of several youth organisations which will benefit from seized proceeds of crime cash.

The team, based at Barrhill Road, has been awarded £3,222 in the latest round of funding distributed by YouthLink Scotland through their Cashback scheme.

Almost £19,000 will be shared by eight youth projects in East Ayrshire, with yipworld’s grant being used to finance one of its specialised ventures.

A spokesman for the group said: “CashBack funding will allow yipworld to continue to engage with the young people of Cumnock through our eight week Grafters programme. “Through a series of confidence and team building exercises, work experience and learn for work sessions, participants work towards a level 3 SCQF qualification and the opportunity of employment with yipworld.”

Some of the participants of the most recent Grafters sessions visited the Sky Academy Skills Studio in Livingston where they produced their own short news report.

CashBack for Communities is a Scottish Government programme which takes funds recovered from the proceeds of crime and invests them into free activities and programmes.

In the nine years it has been operating, more than £10 million has been given out to projects for young people across all 32 local councils in Scotland.

As well as yipworld, other beneficiaries of the latest round of awards in East Ayrshire includes the Zone Youth Committee in Dalmellington, who got £2,520.

East Ayrshire Council received £2,351, while their Vibrant Communities team was awarded a further £1,374 with £1,000 also going to East Ayrshire Leisure Trust.

Others included Centrestage Communities Ltd: £3,019 and East Ayrshire Carers Centre: £1,848.

Chief Executive of YouthLink Scotland, Jim Sweeney MBE, said: “The role of great youth work in broadening young people’s horizons should never be underestimated.

“It is often through the power of creative experiences that young people realise there is a positive path in life and they can achieve their ambitions despite difficult circumstances they may face.

“CashBack is an investment in the next generation and a mark of a society that values all its young people.”