Busiest summer to date supporting families in need

Big Hearts supported over 110 vulnerable families in July and August, that’s our biggest summer programme to date!

Craig Wilson, Big Hearts Interim General Manager said: “It has been a fantastic summer for Big Hearts with 39 days of free activities to young people and adults coming from a vast range of backgrounds. Over 110 vulnerable families have been involved with us in the last two months which itself is a record and demonstrates the success of our delivery model to support families in need where a need is identified.”

A team of 24 Big Hearts volunteers contributed to this fantastic achievement, collectively providing over 177 hours of support in the last two months.

Big Hearts’ Summer programme engaged with individuals between 2 and 90 years old in a set of events designed to overcome cultural challenges, tackle social isolation and improve their physical and mental wellbeing.

Amongst the various activities, Big Hearts welcomed 30 families for a Multi-cultural Day at Tynecastle; enabled 11 Syrian children to attend Hearts’ Holiday Football courses; offered a week of Music Tuition to 8 children with additional support needs; brought 40 people at Hampden Park as part of a Football Memories tour for patients with dementia and involved 30 Kinship Care families at various days out, including a visit of the Borders’ Donkey Sanctuary and a barbecue at Vogrie Park.

This summer also marks a new step in Big Hearts’ journey to help the most vulnerable in our community. The initiative to support Syrian young people was the first of its kind and more projects will follow in the coming months.