Creating Positive Pathways for Young People: NextGen by Cashback

With the exciting EA Sports FC 27 gaming tournament coming up on Friday 25 September, we’ve taken this week to reflect on our new partnership with CashBack for Communities and the impact this project is already having within our community. CashBack for Communities is a Scottish Government programme that redirects funds recovered from the proceeds of crime and reinvests them into youth activities, funding a range of free activities across various third-sector organisations in Scotland. The programme covers all 32 local authorities and is now in Phase 7 of funding, which runs from April 2026 to March 2029.

Receiving this funding has been a huge milestone for Passion4Fusion. It has helped provide the resources to take a more detailed approach to working with vulnerable children and young people, while allowing us to bring in a project lead specifically for the NextGen project. This project lead can act as a mentor and trusted adult for young people in our community who need that additional support. As part of our reflection on the project, we spoke to our CashBack for Communities Project Lead Sean Mapemba to gain a direct insight into its impact. Sean also reflected on his own experiences growing up and how he now sees elements of himself in some of the young people he works with. His lived experience has helped him build a genuine connection with those he supports and become a trusted, safe person they can turn to.

Seeing Yourself in the Young People You Support

For Sean, being able to compare his first-hand knowledge and experience with those he works with has opened his eyes to how many opportunities are available to young people today compared with when he was growing up.

Reflecting on his own experiences, he said:

“I’m seeing changes in the young people I work with. As an African guy myself, I was one of those kids who never really had the opportunity to go to a gaming tournament, or even have the opportunity to be pushed towards a [football] academy, robotics or things like that.

So there is definitely a change, and CashBack is helpful in that way because it is being given to the right people who have lived experience. We can understand what young people can be exposed to in a positive way and what opportunities might help them move forward.”ting stalls with food and a variety of exciting products and experiences. There will be music performances bringing energy, dancing, and good vibes throughout the day, alongside fun family-friendly activities for everyone to enjoy.
Most importantly, the event is completely free. Accessibility was something that mattered deeply to us when creating this festival. We did not want anyone to feel burdened by ticket costs or restricted from attending because of financial barriers. It was incredibly important to us that this remained a free event where absolutely everyone — from all backgrounds and all walks of life — could come along, feel welcomed, and enjoy the experience together thanks to the amazing support of the National Lottery Community Fund

Recognising Vulnerability and the Importance of Mentorship

Sean also recognised the link between acceptance and a sense of belonging when discussing how vulnerability can present itself. Being misled by peer pressure or the need to fit in is a phenomenon within younger communities.

From what he has observed through his work:

“I’ve realised from working with young people that vulnerability can show itself in impressionable kids, particularly when they’re trying to fit into a certain group.

You can see them starting to act like the people they’re trying to be accepted by, rather than being themselves. Sometimes young people can find themselves doing things simply because they want to fit in.”

This is where he sees mentorship playing an important role. Having a relatable figure who can offer one-to-one guidance can help young people recognise that there are alternative paths available to them.

“That’s where mentorship can help. When I mentor young people, I can let them know that I’ve been that guy before. I can show them that there are different ways forward and say, ‘Okay, cool, maybe try this way, or maybe try music.’ It’s about encouraging them to explore things they might not otherwise have had the resources or opportunities to be exposed to.”

What CashBack Means to the People Delivering the Work

Being introduced to a more structured and funded approach to this work really appealed to Sean. This work isn’t new to him, as he has spent years supporting young people in his community, but having the backing of P4F and the CashBack project has given this work new legs.

Reflecting on what the opportunity means to him personally:

“Being a CashBack mentor and working on this project means a lot to me because I’ve been doing this work for years. I did it for over eight years without getting paid.

So, finally, it’s good to see that there’s a section of society that takes this work seriously and genuinely wants to help people. At the end of the day, it’s about helping the kids and helping them get to where they’re trying to get to in life.

This is something I was already doing without guidance or structure, so having the opportunity to do it through a programme like CashBack means a lot.”

For Passion4Fusion, having a dedicated project lead provides a needed level of consistency, structure and commitment to this field of work.

The Role of Sport and Positive Activities

Sean has acted as a coach to P4F’s youth football teams for some time now, giving him a great insight into how sportsmanship can positively shape youth development.

Having played football for many years himself, he sees sport as more than simply an activity:

“I’ve played football for a long time and I still play football, and I have a child myself. I think sport can have a really positive influence on how young people approach life.

Sport teaches you discipline. Whether it’s football or any other sport, it can give you that sense of discipline and structure. Those are important things for young people to develop, and sport can be a really positive way of helping them do that.”

As Phase 7 continues, we’re eager to keep building on this work and pushing the project to its full potential. Passion4Fusion has spent years making a positive impact on young people across Edinburgh and the Lothians, and now we have the opportunity to make this work even more targeted and refined to the specific needs of young people at risk of going down the wrong pathle event. We can’t wait to welcome you!