Big Hearts Community Trust is #MorethanFootball
Big Hearts is the official charity of Hearts FC, delivering an ambitious family-focused strategy which uses the power of the club’s crest to make a positive difference to the lives of vulnerable individuals across Edinburgh and surrounding areas. Big Hearts aims to support all generations in the community by leading, coordinating and facilitating meaningful activities where need is identified. Scottish Charity No. 037311.
As part of the Action Week, let’s focus on 2 main programmes delivered by Big Hearts Community Trust, which are:
Kinship Care
Event Wednesday 5/04 with an Easter Celebration for children and their carers.
Big Hearts Kinship Care Programme is for children and carers from kinship families. At Big Hearts’ After School Clubs, running on Monday and Tuesday evenings at Tynecastle, both children and their carers are engaged in various activities before enjoying a healthy family meal. To give young people the opportunity to engage in activities with other children and help Kinship Carers in the challenges they could face, Big Hearts partners with Mentor Scotland.
The programme also includes places at holiday coaching courses, match tickets, family days and carers’ workshops. A special Easter Celebration is taking place on the 5th April 2017, during school holidays, where children will have the opportunity to spend the day at Tynecastle and engage in fun games and social activities.
Football Memories
Event Monday 3/04 with the launch of a new group in the South East of Edinburgh.
Football Memories is for elderly men living with or at risk of dementia. This ground breaking project is a partnership between the Scottish Football Museum and Alzheimer Scotland. At Big Hearts’ Football Memories sessions our knowledgeable volunteers use rare football memorabilia to stimulate memories about players and matches from the past, resulting in avid conversations between the men and their carers!
It is run twice a month at Tynecastle Stadium, on the first and the last Tuesday of the month. On the 3rd of April 2017, Big Hearts launched a new group in the South of Edinburgh, to make the project accessible to even more people in Edinburgh. This new group of Football Memories ‘on the road’ will run every first Monday of the month at Craigmillar Hearts Community Club.
Other community programmes:
– Big Hearts Supporters.
For every Hearts fan willing to donate their time to help. Various flexible volunteering opportunities throughout the year.
By becoming a Big Hearts Supporter, every fan can play their part to help make a difference in the community. Big Hearts works closely with partner charities to offer various volunteering roles such as DIY, befriending or one-off events.
– Big Hearts Befrienders.
For young kinship people between 7 & 14 years old. One-on-one support up to 3 hours a week.
Big Hearts Volunteer Befrienders provide informal support and friendship to young people in kinship care families through weekly social activities which improve their emotional health and connections in the community.
– Gorgie Smiles.
Suitable for all ages. Monthly events from May to September, extended in the Summer months.
With Gorgie Smiles, people have the opportunity to engage in social and physical activities to improve their local area. Our family-friendly events focus on green spaces and clean ups to spread a positive community spirit!
– Care & Repair.
For older and disabled people in South West Edinburgh. Free home-visits by appointments.
Big Hearts’ Care & Repair aims to offer free DIY and technology support to allow people lead an independent life in their home. Our volunteers help with simple tasks such as changing a light bulb, setting up a TV set or fixing door locks.
