National Lottery funding to tackle youth re-offending in Edinburgh

17 Oct 2018 12:14 PM

Young people in Edinburgh who are repeat offenders or at risk of offending are amongst thousands of Scots whose lives will be transformed, thanks to almost £1 million of National Lottery funding announced today (WED 17 OCTOBER). 

With an award of £84,000, Police Scotland will be able to deliver its youth mentoring programme supported by two adult mentors who have first-hand experience of beating the revolving door back to prison. Police Scotland is one of 11 groups sharing in £923,544 from the Big Lottery Fund. See a list of projects funded 

One of the mentors who is already helping to shape young lives as part of an initial project is Donald Tumilowicz, 45, from West Lothian. Addicted to drugs and alcohol from an early age, Donald spent decades in the criminal justice system. He has been drug free for five years and is now helping prevent young people from going down a similar path. 

Donald said:

“This project from Police Scotland is so vitally important because there are so many young people out there needing help. We provide a range of peer support, one to one sessions and advice helping to signpost them to other things like training or employability schemes. We are there at the end of a phone 24/7 and they can contact either one of us at any time to share their worries or concerns. 

“As someone who spent most of his life caught up in the system using my addictions to boost my confidence and self-esteem I want to help stop other young people making the same mistakes as I did. Doing this work has changed my life.” 

One of these young people is Lucien Okoth, 17, from Edinburgh. Lucien said:

“I was caught up in drugs and my crimes were all about getting the money to feed my habit. I was in the cells when I was introduced to the mentors Donald and Kevin and straight away I saw myself in them. Something just clicked and I think it was an inspirational person telling me their story which was one I could relate to. 

“They’ve supported me in lots of ways and even helped to get me into work as a canoeing instructor and bike mechanic. I know I can always go to them if I need to and this has given me real structure, goals to work towards and a chance to get my life together.” 

Chief Inspector, Gill Geany from E Division, Police Scotland, said:

"We are very grateful to the Big Lottery Fund for supporting our project that will inspire young people to break the cycle of re-offending. The money will assist the funding of two peer mentors, who will engage with and empower vulnerable young people to break the cycle of re-offending and pick up their shattered lives and assist them to make positive decisions and changes. This will in turn strengthen communities, transform lives, reduce crime and the impact it has on victims." 

Announcing today’s funding, Maureen McGinn, Big Lottery Fund Scotland Chair, said:

“Thanks to National Lottery players, today’s £923k investment will reach into many communities across Scotland and will transform the lives of local people. Some funding will be used to expand a unique pilot mentoring project to continue changing the direction of even more young lives in Edinburgh. Lucien’s story shows the importance of this work and how this project offers a range of tailored support to young people when they need it the most.” 

Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 0141 242 1451 
Website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk 
Twitter: @BIGSCOTLAND #NationalLottery 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BigLotteryFundScotland 

Notes to Editors:

• The Big Lottery Fund supports the aspirations of people who want to make life better for their communities across the UK. We are responsible for giving out 40% of the money raised by the National Lottery and invest over £650 million a year in projects big and small in health, education, environment and charitable purposes. 
• The Big Lottery Fund Scotland is focussed on helping people and communities most in need throughout Scotland through its five-year £250m funding scheme as well as small grants scheme National Lottery Awards for All Scotland. 
• Since March 2007 Big Lottery Fund Scotland has taken devolved decisions on National Lottery spending, the Committee, led by Chair, Maureen McGinn plays a strategic role in the future direction of the Fund in Scotland. 
• Since June 2004 we have awarded over £8 billion to projects across the UK that change the lives of millions of people. Every year we fund 13,000 small local projects tackling big social problems like poor mental health and homelessness. 
• Since the National Lottery began in 1994, £37 billion has been raised and more than 520 grants awarded.