SPFL Trust “Community Project of the Year” – Showcasing shortlisted EFDN members programmes
Also this year, the SPFL shortlisted four clubs who compete for the “Community Project of the Year” 2018.
Next to Dunfermline, three EFDN members are shortlisted; Aberdeen FC Community Trust, Big Hearts and Celtic FC Foundation. Recently, the SPFL Trust has highlighted all nominated programmes. In order to do so, the Trust released videos that showcased each of the programmes.
To emphasis the great work of our three shortlisted EFDN members, we would like to present in more detail their programmes.
Aberdeen FC Community Trust
Dementia Friendly Wellbeing is Aberdeen FC Community Trust’s programme which supports people living with dementia and their carers to access physical activity sessions across the city. Importantly, AFCCT’s approach means integrating people with dementia into services and the community, and specifically not providing sessions for 
those with dementia only. AFCCT is changing lives for better and strives to provide support and opportunity to everyone they can across North East Communities.
Earlier this year AFCCT were delighted to announce their Dementia Friendly Programme was being considered for a major European honour after shortlisted for this year’s ECA Best Community and Social Responsibility Programme Award. Some of the sessions include Health Walks, TechnoGym (air hydraulic resistance machines), Stable and Able, Table Tennis, Football Memories, Active Reminiscence, and Dementia Friendly discos called Boogie In The Bar.
Video about the programme can be found here.
Big Hearts
In February 2016, Hearts of Midlothian launched their Big Hearts Supporters Initiative, the first of its kind in Scottish football, enabling any Hearts fan to get involved with the foundation in a manner than suit them. Since then, over 1,700 supporters have signed up to support Big Hearts, with over 63% of them interested in volunteering. The Volunteering programme offers a range of varied and flexible opportunities through Big Hearts and over 12 partner charities. The programme seeks to use the time, skills and expertise of Big Hearts Supporters to make a significant difference to the most vulnerable within our community.
To date over 200 supporters volunteered, completing over 3,500 hours of volunteering in their community across 2017. Independent research reported that 92% of volunteers would recommend volunteering through Big Hearts to others whilst the programme has been externally recognised, becoming the first football club charity in Scotland to achieve “Investing in Volunteers” accreditation, and being shortlisted in the “Cracking Campaign” category at the Scottish Charity Awards 2017.
Video about the programme can be found here.
Celtic FC Foundation
Delivered by Celtic FC Foundation and funded by Scottish Government’s CashBack for Communities initiative, Gateway to Employment is a bespoke 10-week employability and personal development project. The project aimed 
at young adults aged between 16 and 25 who have offended, are at risk of (re)offending, or live in an area with a high risk of crime. Since 2014, CashBack Gateway to Employment has made a difference to around 118 individuals, with around 52 moving into employment, 22 finding training opportunities and nine progressing into education. Engaging young adults aged 16-24, the project targets individuals who have offended, are at risk of (re)offending, or live in an area with a high risk of crime. Since the programme’s inception 163 participants have been engaged, 139 of whom have progressed into a “positive destination” including employment, training, or education.
Video about the programme can be found here.
Dunfermline Athletic
The fourth nominee is Dunfermline Athletic. Dunfermline Athletic’s programme, delivered by The Pars Foundation is called Pars Tackle Health. It promotes positive attitudes towards good health and fitness, using professional footballers – who visit schools across the area every Monday – as role models. It consolidates the Learning Outcomes covered in Curriculum for Excellence’s Health & Wellbeing.
EFDN would like to congratulate all clubs and their associated charities that have been shortlisted for the award ‘Community Project of the Year’.
Aberdeen begins fitness programme Red Start for schoolchildren
