People With Big Hearts

Robin has been a Big Hearts participant for 6 years, attending The Changing Room and Football Memories programmes.

In that time, he’s been welcomed to Tynecastle Park where he’s found time, space and compassion to enable him to rebuild.

Milly joined Big Hearts as a Volunteer in 2022, at our That’s Me! programme.

She shares with us the benefits of her volunteering and how it has helped her grow in confidence.

Bill has been a Big Hearts Volunteer since he retired from full-time employment in 2018.

He tells us all about his time volunteering with Big Hearts and what it means to him.

Walid has been settled in Edinburgh in for 4 years and is building a safe a happy life.

He joined Big Hearts’ Welcome Through Football programme where he has made a lot of new friends.

Buckie Daniel joined Big Hearts as a Volunteer in March 2022, after hearing about the role at her University Volunteer Fair.

They share with us their first impressions of their new role, working with teenager participants from Big Hearts ‘That’s Me!’ project.

Jason Thomson is no stranger to Tynecastle Park, having played for Heart of Midlothian from the age of 15.

Now working as Operations Manager for Street League UK, he tells us how life changed after leaving the club after 9 years.

Amanda Whitehead has been a carer for 13 years. She is now involved in Big Hearts Kinship Care programme.

Ahead of Scotland Kinship Care week, she shares her own experiences and gives some words of advice to other families.

Charity Manager, Victoria Hendry has worked for Cash for Kids – the official charity of Bauer Radio, since 2018.

She shares an insight into her role and how the charity makes a difference to children living in Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and Falkirk.

A familiar face amongst fans visiting Tynecastle Park, David Allan is the Manager of the Heart of Midlothian Museum. 

He explains how the Museum Collection was set up and his future plans for the 150th anniversary of the Club.

Lifelong Jambo, Norrie Rush, is a long-standing Big Hearts Memories Volunteer.

He tells us all about his role at the Edinburgh and Football Memories project and how it benefits both participant and Volunteers.

Kathy Crombie is a new Big Hearts Christmas Volunteer, who signed up to help this years Gift Back Appeal.

She tells us why she likes to help local charities and how much she enjoyed getting involved in this brilliant initiative.

Connor McNally is a Big Hearts Project Officer, working with our Kinship Care programme.

He tells us all about the That’s Me! project and how it makes a positive impact to the lives of teenagers and young adults.

Rebekah Smith has been a Big Hearts Befriender for around 3 years and is currently on her 3rd match.

She shares an insight into what the role involves and how it benefits both the volunteer and families.

Richard McBrearty is the Project Director of Football Memories and Curator of the Scottish Football Museum, at Hampden Park.

He tells us about his involvement with the Football Memories project and how much of a difference it makes to people living in Scotland.

Brian, Gordon and Daniel – aka The Broxburn Wanderers are friends and football supporters who wanted to make a difference.

Taking on the challenge of walking 47 miles from Hampden Park to Tynecastle Park, to raise money for Big Hearts.

David Shields attends Big Heart’s ‘The Changing Room’ project held at Heart of Midlothian’s Tynecastle Park.

He shares an insight to his mental health and tells us how much the project has changed his life, for the better.

Stewart Bertram is the Memorial Garden Volunteer at Tynecastle Park Stadium – the home of Heart of Midlothian football club.

He gives his time to help create a lovely space for people to come to visit and pay their respects to loved ones.

Carla Belkevitz is an Advocacy Worker with MND Scotland, covering the North of the country.

She shares with us the work she does for the charity, her Lithuanian heritage and her personal view on the sponsorship with the Club.

Jordan McCartney, Community Coach Youth Worker, brings vast experience to our ‘Welcome Through Football’ project.

Coaching young refugees, asylum seekers and people with migrant backgrounds, he helps develop their football skills.

8-year-old Lettie was inspired by football legend Marcus Rashford MBE to make a difference and help children less fortunate.

With the help from her friends and primary school, she’s collected over 1,600 second hand books to be distributed across Edinburgh!