Big Hearts | Celebrate funding boost to reminiscence programme!
Big Hearts, the charity of Heart of Midlothian FC, is thrilled to announce we have secured new 3-year funding towards our Football and Edinburgh Memories programme.
The award from the Scottish Government’s Social Isolation and Loneliness Fund will allow Big Hearts to continue to focus on meeting the needs of people most at risk of social isolation and loneliness, in our local community.
The success of our application will see our charity receive a 5-figure grant over the 3 years, which will help to sustain and grow our ever-popular reminiscence programme. Edinburgh and Football Memories is led by a team of trained Big Hearts volunteers and welcomes more than 100 guests every week from a wide range of backgrounds, including people living with dementia, stroke survivors, care homes patients and over 65s at high risk of loneliness.
The project runs twice weekly at Tynecastle Park and aims to help reduce social isolation and build stronger social connections between participants. Our Memories Programme is always open to new participants and to find out more click here.
Craig Wilson, Chief Executive Officer at Big Hearts said:
“We are delighted to have received this fantastic news which will allow us to deliver meaningful support to even more older people from across our community.
The fact the Scottish Government has selected to support our programme from such a competitive process is testament to the amazing work of our staff and volunteers. We look forward to even more fantastic football and Edinburgh reminiscence sessions at Tynecastle Park.”
Emma Roddick, Equalities Minister at the Scottish Government said:
“Social isolation and loneliness can affect anyone, but especially those most affected by the cost-of-living crisis such as disabled people, older people, and those who live alone.
“The Social Isolation and Loneliness Fund is providing support to a range of projects across Scotland which deliver vital services in their communities.”
– July 2023