Launch of ‘You’re Only Young Once’ Fund
By Corra Foundation
Corra Foundation announce the launch of the ‘You’re Only Young Once Fund’ designed by young people to provide support for children, young people and families affected by drugs and alcohol.
The You’re Only Young Once Fund is part of Corra Foundation and The Scottish Government’s The Way Forward for Families Partnership. £50,000 is available in grants of up to £10,000 for organisations providing support and services to children, young people and families with experience of drugs or alcohol affecting their lives. The fund is designed and delivered by a Youth Advisory Group who have lived experience of the impact that drugs and alcohol has.
The young people who make up the Youth Advisory Group have led every step of the fund design process. This includes designing the criteria of the fund, the logo, the decision-making process, and the young people will decide which applications receive funding. The young people’s expertise helps ensure funds are spent on projects that make a positive difference to the lives of young people and families.
Carolyn Sawers, CEO of Corra, said:
“We believe positive change happens when we listen to communities. With the You’re Only Young Once Fund, young people have shown the changes that can happen when power rests with people with lived experience. It has been a privilege to work alongside the Youth Advisory Group to create the You’re Only Young Once Fund. The involvement from our partners at Clued-up and Routes has been invaluable in ensuring that young people with ideas for change are confident, skilled and supported.”
“I have seen growth and development in each young person who is part of this group, from being able to speak up when they don’t understand, managing to stay the whole time at residential, the ability to take notes during group discussions, learning positive coping skills to a young person asking to stand up and address the group when giving feedback so he can be heard clearly.”
Pam Burns, Senior Family Support Development Officer at Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs and the Routes Programme said:
“Watching the young people over the past year as they develop the You’re Only Young Once fund has been inspirational. They have shown a dedication and commitment to creating something knowing the difference it is going to make to families across Scotland. Using their own personal journeys to be able to reflect and make positive decisions. Completing the training with Youth Scotland and being part of a decision-making process has helped the young people grow in their personal lives. Giving them more confidence when applying for college and university. Giving them experiences that they can use for their personal statements and at interviews. Empowering young people to be part of a decision-making process gives them confidence and belief in themselves.”
Young Person involved in the Corra’s Youth Advisory Board said:
“Being a part of Corra has given me confidence to speak my mind without being afraid of getting it wrong sometimes. Having difficult conversations is part of the process! It’s nice to see my peers having a voice and knowing that the work we do isn’t just benefitting to us; but to the applicants we access and people they may help too.”
More information and how to apply
Applications need to demonstrate strong partnership approaches, a commitment to taking a Whole Family Approach, and, most importantly, the need to meaningfully involve children, young people and families in the design and development of their proposals.
To apply, organisations should get in touch for a Welcome Chat with the Corra team.
More information can be found at https://www.corra.scot/grants/yoyo/
Closing date: 31st October 2025
