AFCCT gets awarded for good work in public health

AFCCT gets awarded for good work in public health

Aberdeen FC Community Trust is delighted to have been awarded the Committee of the Faculty of Public Health in Scotland Community Award for 2016! This national award is in recognition of the outstanding initiatives delivered by AFCCT in relation to Public Health.

David Smith, Senior Community Projects Officer said “We are honoured and thrilled to have won this award. The level of health-related work at AFCCT has increased tremendously in a short time, with people of all ages and backgrounds benefiting. With over 12,000 participations each year, covering a 300-mile radius, AFCCT is using the tool of football and physical activity to improve health, address health inequalities, and help challenge stigma of what people can and can’t do by taking part in meaningful activity.”

Since being established as a charity in 2014, AFCCT has significantly increased football participation across the North East as well as increasing engagement with the wider community beyond football. As part of this wider engagement with the community a number of innovative Health and Wellbeing programmes are being delivered.

The recent launch of a smoking cessation campaign with NHS Grampian is a shining example of the forward thinking approach that AFCCT has in this area. The Stop, Quit and Be Fit programme is the first partnership of its kind involving a football club in Scotland delivering different techniques on how to stop smoking with participants also taking part in physical activities. The new programme was inspired by the success of AFCCT’s Football Fans in Training initiative which has been running for a number of years using the power of football to help lead a healthier lifestyle by participating in a fun group environment.

In addition to this work AFCCT has gained international recognition through the Dementia Friendly Programmes delivered with key partners including Life Changes Trust, Alzheimer’s Scotland, Aberdeen Sports Village, Sport Aberdeen, Aberdeen City Council Health and Wellbeing Team.

Earlier this year AFCCT was delighted to announce their Dementia Friendly Programme was being considered for a major European honour after being shortlisted for this year’s European Club Association (ECA) Best Community & Social Responsibility Programme Award. With extensive support from Life Changes Trust, AFCCT has created an environment suitable for those living with dementia to become involved in health and well-being programmes through a person-centred, city wide partnership approach for people living with dementia. AFCCT have also been able to develop its own programmes into Dementia Friendly Well-Being Initiatives and as a result events have been held at Pittodrie Stadium, focused on engaging those living with dementia socially and mentally in a safe and calming atmosphere.

Well done to everyone involved on winning this Faculty of Public Health award!