More Than Football Award 2024 Longlist: Aberdeen FC Community Trust – Dons Families Together
The European Football for Development Network (EFDN) is proud to present the Aberdeen FC – Dons Families Together, which has been selected for the longlist of the More Than Football Award 2024.
Aberdeen FC Community Trust launched Dons Families Together in November 2023. It is a health and wellbeing project for parents and children, helping them to make positive life choices. The families are referred via AFCCT Pittodrie Community Hub and local partner organisations based on their current living situation and needs we can support. As well as practical support and sessions, the programme focuses on supporting the whole family, whatever its make-up, and promoting family activities and time spent together.
Based at Pittodrie and local amenities, families are welcomed across the 12 weeks. Everyone is provided with a hot meal and a food pack to take home. The sessions include physical activity and nutritional advice, while working with local partners to offer employability, financial and stress management support. Furthermore, the programme supports participants to take part in family activities, spending important time together.
Families are provided with opportunities to enjoy family activities without financial pressures such as trips to the pantomime around Christmas and trips to Pittodrie with tickets, travel and food vouchers.
Main project objectives:
- Greater support network
- Support to address challenges brought on by living in poverty
- Increased confidence
- Improved mental wellbeing
- Increased physical activity