THOUSANDS of pounds seized from the profit of criminal activity are to be reinvested in young people in Stirling's most disadvantaged communities. 

The CashBack funding from YouthLink Scotland has awarded over £14,800 to five youth work organisations delivering projects in the area. 

Stirling Council Youth Team welcomed a grant of £5,262 and youth worker Vicky Healer said: "This funding will enable us to promote and deliver a quality programme at no cost for young people from across Stirling. 

"We will deliver a 28 week project from September to March. This will give young people the opportunity to come along on a Friday night and take part in a football project run by football coaches from Active Stirling and supported by Police Scotland. 

"The youth team will also include some educational time-out sessions, these will focus on issue-based topics chosen by young people themselves."

Meanwhile Lisa Holland explained how Stirling Council Skills and Youth Employment Team will use its funding: "[It] will allow the team to support the Stirling Youth Forum and Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament to shape a Gathering Event for up to 150 young people across Stirling next month. 

"The event will allow young people to explore areas including: mental health & wellbeing, education and transport. 

"The information we gather from this event will be presented to our Chief Executive with a view to shaping future services in line with the council’s key priorities which are: be community led, be a learning council and be open and responsive."