Covid-19 Impact Report Welcome Brief Strategic Overview We work in partnership with ’s 42 professional clubs and external agencies to promote, support, fund and administer Our Covid-19 Impact Report is a mile marker activities which inspire SPFL clubs to help meet the identified in the Trusted to Support campaign that was social needs of the people of Scotland. launched in March 2020. This report highlights the vital efforts of associated trusts and clubs during the past nine months. Our purpose is to use football’s unique presence to assist Scotland’s As a nation, this has been the most challenging of people to achieve their goals and improve their life chances. times. It’s been a period that has necessitated resilience, adaptability and compassion.

Each region, trust and club is different, and consequently has Our vision is to work with SPFL clubs to use the unique power of contributed in different ways. football to engage with communities. But no matter the scale of the project or the activity, the football community has worked incredibly hard to ensure that people in need have received support when they most needed it. Our work focuses on five core areas: In this report, we will take a look at the stories behind these incredible efforts by associated community trusts and clubs. Each one shines a ray of light on the amazing work being undertaken by staff and HEALTH volunteers of all ages in helping when it is needed most. Whether it has been food deliveries or a set of scarves donated; games streamed to care homes or lunches served to hundreds of ATTAINMENT people; transport to the doctors or football classes for children, Scottish football and its supporters have stepped up to the challenge. The SPFL Trust team has responded brilliantly to the challenging INCLUSION circumstances this year, adapting current programmes; securing and managing significant donations for the benefit of our ATCs and promoting the value of their work across the country. CAPACITY BUILDING We are aware that this is not over. Normality is still some time away, but community trusts and clubs are helping in no small way to build communities and will be there with purpose,energy and enthusiasm, trusted to support those who need a helping hand. PROMOTION More information about trusts and clubs can be found on the SPFL Trust website. At this time, our leadership team and board of trustees have Bernadette Malone commenced a review, in line with the end of the current strategic Chair, SPFL Trust period in 2021.

2 Covid-19 Impact Report SPFL Trust 3 Festive Friends Fund - £87,300 A significant Festive Friends has had to change significantly in 2020, but with the support of our donors, the programme has also more than doubled in size. Over contribution 2,400 people will receive a surprise doorstep visit and a Christmas gift box with a record 37 ATCs taking part. During 2020, the SPFL Trust has SPFL Trust Covid-19 Club Crisis Grant - £2,100,000 SPFL Trust Covid-19 Action Fund - £84,000 received significant support from two Every SPFL club was invited to apply for a £50,000 grant to support the ATCs were eligible to make an application for a grant to SPFL Trust Trophy Fund - £348,000 donors. This has enabled the SPFL club and community during the pandemic. All 42 clubs applied and were support activity specifically aimed at supporting people with This fund is split into two parts. The first is a fee of Trust to launch several new funds successful in a full award. the effect of the pandemic. In total 23 awards were made. £90,000 plus VAT which will be paid to the SPFL aimed at supporting both community These grants were competitively awarded based on criteria to sponsor the Challenge Cup trusts and their associated SPFL clubs Still to be spent: £1,075,318 Spending so far: £1,024,682 from two funding streams to either retroactively fund work tournament for season 2021-22. (ATCs) during the pandemic. Covid-19 Club Crisis Fund that directly responded to the pandemic or to fund planned In the meantime, every club and In June, we were delighted to be able to Nil return 6% work: No purchase 5% community trust were each eligible announce the single biggest personal Gied to Community Trust 2% Stream A featured activity which supported online/ to apply for a £4,200 grant, based Sta ng 2% donation made to support Scottish digital transformation, social interaction and on the original terms set out in the football communities in our history. Equipment 6% volunteering. ATCs who chose Stream A were able to Club and Community Crisis funds. Philanthropist James Anderson, who apply to all three parts of this fund co-manages the FTSE 100 listed £11bn Pixellot 16% Other projects Stream B was based on an innovation fund, where ATCs Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust Additional funding is to be used to support projects could demonstrate ‘significantCovid-19 impact’ through a new idea and the US based $40bn Vanguard such as 4-4-2 Reading Challenge and A-Team. Facilities 48% Action Fund International Growth Fund, gifted us Testing 15% £3,125,000 inclusive of gift aid. Online, 5, 19% We were then able to announce a second SPFL Trust Covid-19 Community Crisis Fund - £300,000 funding commitment totalling £1.25m Every SPFL club with an associated charity which is registered to the Office Signicant inclusive of gift aid, with half of that sum impact, 9, of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) was invited to apply for £10,000 Social 35% donated immediately, and the remainder interaction, 5, to support activity directly relating to the charity. All 30 eligible charities 19% due June 2021. applied and were successful in a full award. Much of the activity you read about in All stream A, 4, this report took place before this funding Volunteering, 3, 15% Still to be spent: £163,510Covid-19 CommunitySpending so far: £136,490 12% was secured, and in part helped our Crisis Fund benefactors decide that Scottish football has the power to engage with people Upgrade facilities 6% across the country. Project delivery 9%

A number of different funds have been Core costs 9% established to which a combination of clubs and/or community trusts have been able to apply to. Data reported below is accurate to December 2020. Sta Costs 44% Equipment 26% New roles 6% 4 Covid-19 Impact Report SPFL Trust 5 The Stroller

Jim Ireland (86), a lifelong fan of Ayr United, They started a virtual walk challenge which asked Jim’s been living alone since his wife June passed away five Lorna said: “Dad was invited to attend a physiotherapy joined Ayr United Football Academy’s Strollers walkers to ‘Beat the Boat’ to Australia by clocking up the years ago and he joined the Strollers because he needed class for rehabilitation after his triple heart bypass but he equivalent miles when they go on local walks (9,958) to get fitter as part of his recovery from a triple didn’t want to do that and someone at the hospital told us Walking Club two years ago. which would take them to Ayr in Australia. heart bypass four years ago. there are other avenues to go down if we looked. Until the pandemic, they met every week at Somerset Because this was so popular and the Australia challenge He said: “I was on my own too much and had “I came across the Ayr United walking group online and Park where they ‘warmed up’ with a few laps of the pitch was completed so fast, they then set weekly walking started talking to the walls Tom, Dick and Harry football’s my dad’s life so I thought that would be perfect. before going on various walks through the town or nearby challenges for the Strollers to cover the miles to where but unfortunately they don’t talk back to me! When I phoned they said it would be good for parks and beaches. Ollie (a young Academy player) had been last ‘spotted’. my dad so that’s how it all started and “Anyone who knows me will know Jim thoroughly enjoyed getting out and about with the he did it for a few years and loved it. Ollie was ‘spotted’ in Norway, Canada and other places I love talking to everyone and club, making new friends and having a good old blether around the world so there were plenty of miles for the anyone. People often say I must “I think this shows the power of while he’s getting fresh air and exercise at the same time. Strollers to walk each week! know everyone in Ayr because football to reach people and He always looked forward to the walks every week so he I talk to so many people encourage them to do new Lorna, Jim’s daughter, helped him to reach his weekly found it difficult during lockdown when the group couldn’t when I’m walking along the things that they may not have steps target by taking him out on walks with her to various meet up. street, it takes me ages to considered otherwise. The places such as Troon harbour and Rozelle Estate, and get to the shops! club gave him a new lease Jim was therefore delighted when the organisers came up they posted photos of themselves on social media as they of life and he’s made a lot with some new ideas for activities during lockdown to keep clocked up the miles. “Getting out on local walks of good friends. It gave him everyone motivated, get outside and do some exercise. and in the club’s minibus something to look forward to to new places has been apart from seeing family. wonderful and I’ve made loads of new friends, but I’m “They all share the same Albion Rovers also kept moving during always the last to finish interest in football and support the pandemic, with their own daily step a walk because I’m too different teams so they phone each challenge. The Wee Rovers used their 1920 busy chatting. other after a game and tease one other.” route to inspire their walkers, “I would have gone on walks myself but it’s not the same, Sadly Jim’s health has deteriorated recently and he’s now by walking the distance to each away ground it’s much nicer to have good company and conversation, it unable to attend the walking group. from each round of that historic triumph. keeps you going. It’s been a great thing for me to do, I was Lorna added: “Although he can’t go on the walks anymore Rovers in the community also reached out feeling a bit down and it really lifted my spirits and gave The walking group he still meets the guys for a coffee and a blether. They’ve to over 70 individuals in their community to me something to look forward to.” become firm friends and support each other. offer assistance or friendship via telephone reached a massive Jim was such a valued member of the group that he won during the initial lockdown period, to those 1065 combined “They have lots of laughs which is so important to help the “Walker of the Year” prize a few years ago and was particularly isolated. miles by the end keep your spirits up during these difficult times.” of the challenge. gifted with an album of ‘selfie’ photos of the group on various walks.

6 Covid-19 Impact Report SPFL Trust 7 Warrior Spirit Lifts Local Community

Stenhousemuir provided more than 5,000 hot Hazel Anne Mackie Hazel delivered meals to people who are shielding or very “Many people are much more aware of how lucky they are meals to over 350 households in the local area. At the height of the pandemic the club delivered worked as a volunteer isolated; she also did people’s shopping. For many, she was now, to have your health and to be in a position to help is the only person they saw on a weekly basis and as such, wonderful. 200 meals per day to families in need. with Stenhousemuir built up a strong rapport. FC’s community team “Some people I see are very isolated. One lady had at the beginning of the When Hazel was involved there were 90 volunteers and been in her house for 14 weeks. Although she has family she says that if something needed done, whether it was seeing someone face to face is completely different even pandemic and through dog walking or gardening, everybody pitched in. if we have to socially distance and I’m at the end of her Airdrieonians Football Fans in the first lockdown. driveway, I’m a new face and it’s a bit of a change for her.” While the pandemic has been, and continues to be Training participants stepped up to incredibly difficult for so many people, Hazel believes it Hazel added: “Meals are lovely to get but somebody support the food delivery operation She and her husband had both also has an upside because it’s fostered a real camaraderie being at your door and knowing that someone is coming across Lanarkshire throughout retired from their jobs and returned home from and community spirit in so many towns and cities across is so important, it gets people up in the morning. lockdown and beyond. the country. travelling abroad just before the pandemic hit. “The pandemic has highlighted what a wonderful club With time on their hands, good fitness, and a car they Hazel explains: “It’s not until you start speaking to Stenhousemuir is and it’s opened many people’s eyes to the knew they could be of use to people in need during people face to face that you begin to understand how extent of the work that’s done. many people are on their own because they don’t have the crisis. “I think it’s really important to let people know the family who live nearby. A former NHS employee, Hazel’s husband quickly found wonderful work they do and how innovative they are.” Along the M8, Livingston distributed voluntary work with the NHS and this left her champing “I think a lot of us have learned to open our eyes a bit what would have been the players’ at the bit and keen to find a role for herself. about what’s going on around you. We’ve been living breakfast and lunches to the local here for 20 years and I’ve met people now who I’ve community. Family and friends put Hazel (60) in touch with the waved at in the past but I’ve never had a conversation Warriors and as she had worked with the club in her with before. previous job at Falkirk Council she was already aware of the amazing work they do. Hazel said: “At the beginning of the pandemic I just The pandemic has highlighted thought, do you know what, it’s time that we all started Livi’s charity West Lothian Youth to do a bit more. what a wonderful club Foundation also delivered a new initiative to local primary schools “But it’s not totally selfless as it’s a great chance to keep Stenhousemuir is and it’s opened called ‘Score with maths’ to help in touch with people and to feel useful. You’ve got to feel improve local attainment during needed otherwise what’s the point?” many people’s eyes to the extent home-schooling. of the work that’s done.

8 Covid-19 Impact Report SPFL Trust 9 Home Is Where Big Hearts Is

Big Hearts Community Trust’s Sue Glancy is a Kinship Carer for her Kinship Care programme offers 12 year old grand-daughter Summer a range of support to address the emotional, practical and financial Summer was four-years-old, just a tiny I was a childminder at the time so I’d already been vetted to challenges faced by young people wee thing, when I took her in to look after look after children and it was a fairly easy process for me to take her full-time. and their carers. her full-time. Before joining Big Hearts Kinship Carers I felt isolated because I Kinship Care is the term which applies to “ My son, Summer’s dad, was not living with her mum and I didn’t realise how many other kinship carers there were. You do a child who is looked after by someone hadn’t seen her for a while. When I phoned him to ask when have to keep explaining to people what a Kinship Carer is, and other than their parents. It often falls to I could give Summer her birthday present, I was incredibly some people think you’re the villain because they think you grandparents if, for some reason, a mum or shocked to be told that she was going to be taken into care. dad is no longer able to support their child. took the child away from their parents.

That was Friday and I spoke to the social worker the I can speak to a social worker but that’s kind of official. Kinship During non-Covid times the official Hearts following Monday. We had a meeting on Tuesday and

Carers is less formal and they’ll do absolutely everything they charity runs a weekly after school club for Summer came to stay with me on Friday. That’s how quick families with expert advice for carers and can to help. I needed it as much as she did, I think. I needed it was. “ a free hot meal, a befriending service for someone to understand and to speak to. It was a while before I realised I was a Kinship Carer. For me vulnerable children, wellbeing support It’s also nice that you don’t have to explain what a Kinship it was just something you did. Summer needed me, and I groups for male carers and teenagers. Carer is, we all know who everyone is and we all have needed to know she was safe and happy. Obviously I knew problems that we can share. During the pandemic the group Although face-face services stopped during that some children lived with people that weren’t their Elgin City contributed first-team strips and has been wonderful. the pandemic Big Hearts has continued parents but I didn’t know there was a name for it. merchandise to local key workers. The City to support Kinship Care families with food medical team worked with various local NHS and activity parcels, online peer support groups and helped to facilitate the donation. and financial relief, along with a dedicated It provided plenty of smiles. Helpline and WhatsApp group.

Elsewhere, Brechin City also donated club scarves to NHS Tayside, alongside social media updates on key NHS health information for the local community. 200 elderly people receiving 1,000 fortnighly memories pack check-in calls (and social call, when safe) 10 Covid-19 Impact Report SPFL Trust 11 Raith Rovers got their grassroots Food And Football football back up and running in the summer. This offered children in the local community For Good access to sport again after a four- month absence. Rovers had over 500 participants in their summer camps across three-weeks.

Celtic FC Foundation’s Football for Good Fund has Magic Number Nine raised over £900,000 during the pandemic. Who else is benefiting from the Bhoys? The fund has enabled the foundation to help families with low-income, socially-isolated individuals, the 1 NHS Greater Glasgow partnership with Project elderly, the unemployed, the homeless, refugees and Wingman to provide food and refreshments to frontline NHS staff. Glasgow Royal Infirmary One of the key projects that Celtic FC Foundation 2 Donated £2k to NHS Greater Glasgow to help with the supported during the pandemic is a new, free local PPE initiative self-referral service with Glasgow North East Delivered £30k project supporting 1600 pupils and Foodbank which involves sending food parcels 3 families at 12 Glasgow-based schools and nurseries straight to people’s homes via Glasgow Taxis. The aim is to support those who have been financially Working with multiple Foodbanks across wider impacted and not just self-isolating, in order to ensure 4 Scotland, Dublin, Belfast, London, and Newcastle food reaches those who wouldn’t normally have a referral to a Foodbank, but urgently need food. 5 Over 60 partner charities involved in FFGF This includes, but is not limited to, people who have recently lost employment, are working on reduced The Walfrid Wander encouraged supporters to take hours, or are currently applying for a new benefit claim. 6 part in a physically distanced 10k in their own locality to support the FFGF They are also providing basic food and essentials packages for patients being discharged from hospital in 11,000 meals provided for NHS staff partnership with the Foodbank and NHS. 7

“This project is a pathway for people who would not Partnered with Eden Mill who donated 250 bottles of From the money raised at their normally access a foodbank, to do so through simple 8 hand sanitiser which was distributed 50 bottles each 2019 New York Gala Dinner, Celtic self-referral, says Linda Stuart from the project. to partners FC Foundation donated £15,000 to the Coalition for the Homeless and “Together, we can make a difference by helping relieve 16,000 families aided with hot meals, social contact, Children’s Aid to provide food and food poverty.” 9 and essential packages essentials to vulnerable children and families in New York.

12 Covid-19 Impact Report SPFL Trust 13 Saints in the Community delivered support to Buddie-ing Up! 440 vulnerable people across Perth with a variety St Mirren Charitable Foundation have been one of the most active of activities and packs including; Give or Take boxes, football club charities during the pandemic. Chief executive Gayle in the Community Food parcels, prescription deliveries, and mini football Brannigan, talks us through the vital work her and the team have sessions for vulnerable adults. carried out during Covid-19….

Online summer camps Becoming stars! Gaffer’s in on it too! - and Buddy boxes! From the first week in lockdown we created a very strong Our football manager Jim Goodwin was out with us At the point of the partnership with a third sector organisation called the morning to night one day a week, every single week, The community already faces many challenges and parents were first lockdown, we STAR Project. during the lockdown, delivering items to households. It asking for help to keep their kids engaged during the lockdown. had nine active meant a lot to people to see Jim coming up to their door We used the power of St Mirren to secure food partners and programmes, The weather was really good but lots of the children in this area because obviously many of them are fans of the club so it volunteers, enabling distribution to people in need through with three about don’t have outdoor play areas or gardens so the coaches set up lifted a lot of people’s spirits to meet him. STAR’s Community Fridges project. to launch, so we a great activity schedule for the first three months. It covered We also did special visits on Thursday afternoons to transitioned all of everything from reading to poetry, arts and crafts to gardening, We had about 12 companies who came on board including people who were really struggling in some way, whether them online. challenges and quizzes and football coaching. Tesco, Manorview Leisure, Starbucks, the Company Shop, they were feeling low or they were recovering from a local dairies and fruit merchants and other organisations to We knew early on that the pandemic This also inspired our summer camp this year which went online serious illness, we wanted to make a difference in an provide essential items such as bread, milk, meat and fruit would impact everyone incredibly hard, in partnership with Linstone Housing Association in Paisley. Our emotional way as well as practical ways. This was very each week. particularly from a mental health point of coaches came in and filmed 60 movies which were sent to the rewarding and it was always my favourite day of the week. view, so we set up additional support from parents every day and they’d provide this to their kids. At that time STAR were receiving about 30 to 50 calls per day Our work throughout the pandemic has been a very WhatsApp groups to one to one check in from individuals who needed groceries and basic hygiene As well as the courses, we also wanted to make sure they had the humbling experience and forced us to remember what’s calls, emails, webinars and seminars and items or help to pick up prescription medicines because they equipment because we couldn’t assume they had that already or actually important – it’s the people around you in the live workouts. were self-isolating or struggling to pay for essentials. could afford to buy it. community that matter most. St Mirren is based in Ferguslie which has Understandably, lots of people felt really isolated during So, we created a ‘buddy box’ which had a football, markers, cones, 5% of the entire population in the Scottish this period, and so it was fantastic that our volunteers t-shirts, water bottle, kit bag, educational resources and arts and Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) so were able to help brighten their day - and participate in crafts and delivered them to every child who was referred to us by there are real pockets of deprivation here. meaningful activity, too. community partners and housing associations.

14 Covid-19 Impact Report SPFL Trust 15 Singing In The Granite City

Aberdeen band Eskimo Blonde played their Liz Bowie, chief executive of Aberdeen Football Club part when they composed a song for Aberdeen Community Trust (AFCCT), said: “This was a fantastic gesture by a band whose roots are firmly planted in FC and Community Trust’s #StillStandingFree Aberdeen. campaign during the lockdown. “Mike’s lyrics were particularly pertinent to our campaign The indie rock band, who have supported acts like and resonated with our efforts to check-in on our fans Ocean Colour Scene and Girls Aloud, donated all monies through phone calls and to help those in need through the generated by downloads of the track to the club and trust’s deliveries of food and essentials. #StillStandingFree campaign which was set up to support the community throughout the pandemic. “We said throughout the #StillStandingFree campaign that we wanted to bring a smile to people’s faces during a really The Eskimo Blonde video, which was shared widely on tough time for us all but, particularly those in poverty and social media, shows Trust volunteers and club players living alone. making deliveries of food packages to those most in need during the crisis. “We hope this fabulous song brought some joy to people and got everyone humming along.” Football legends, Duncan Shearer, Arild Stavrum and Over the course of 160 days, the club and Gothenburg Great Neil Simpson feature in the Eskimo Thanks to the generosity of AFC fans and the club’s AFC Community Trust delivered 2,600 Blonde video along with current AFC first team players, AFC directors, through their matched funding of a percentage of meals to more than 12,000 people, including Women players and even the club chairman, Dave Cormack. season ticket sales, the #StillSTandingFree campaign raised 7,000 children who may not have otherwise just over £500,000 for AFCCT. had a nourishing daily meal, as part of this Frontman Mike Loszak wrote the song after speaking campaign. Club and trust staff and volunteers to a friend about the strange days everyone was living As restrictions are eased, these funds will be used to enable also spoke to 15,000 fans, checking on their through in lockdown. Inspired by the work the club and the Trust to work in partnership with other agencies to welfare throughout lockdown. the Community Trust were carrying out in the community, provide a legacy food initiative and help the return to their 2,600 12,000 15,000 existing programmes, focused on health, football and meals delivered people received welfare calls the band wanted to bolster the Trust’s fund-raising efforts And to celebrate AFC’s 117th Birthday the meals through the proceeds of the song. education. club and trust gifted 117 cuddly Miller bears to vulnerable children, Royal Aberdeen Commenting on the track, Mike said: “I had in mind some Children’s Hospital patients and the children of the big American anthems, something that maybe Bruce of NHS workers. Springsteen might write in the midst of a crisis. In addition, Miller Bear accompanied first “I also thought about people being scared to leave home team player, Niall McGinn, and other staff on and how isolated and alone they may feel and it just flowed their travels helping deliver food parcels and from there.” spread positivity and cheer up children who had been worst affected by Covid-19 across Aberdeen city and shire.

16 Covid-19 Impact Report SPFL Trust 17 A Community Talking Tactics For All Seven super things Rangers Charity Foundation did during the pandemic At the height of the pandemic Partick Thistle Charitable Trust were delivering over 100 hot Facilitated a donation to provide a daily food During the pandemic, Rangers Charity I tried it myself and thought it was very well designed and meals a day. This project has continued with the 1 service in Govan, where the club is based charity now running a regular ‘Resilience Club’ Foundation have been working with inclusive for everyone, at all fitness levels, because it was easy to start with and it builds up as you go along. to support socially isolated elderly people to the Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society (SABS), Created hundreds of weekly fun and receive a hot meal. a faith-based organisation which works Working with the Foundation makes us feel as though 2 educational worksheets and activities to meet the needs of the Scottish Shia we’ve been invited to join the Rangers family. The work we for young people do with them makes such a massive difference to so many Muslim community. people’s lives and helps the Muslim community to feel Shared weekly football challenges and The partnership - established long before Covid-19 more included in Scottish society. 3 fitness sessions to encourage kids and adults to stay active - aimed to reach as many black and minority SABS is very progressive, passionate, serious and ethnic communities and people as possible who committed to diversity and inclusion. Provide outdoor activity sessions for the needed support. It’s important for us to be more involved in the football 4 children of key workers Cove Rangers joined efforts in the north-east to ensure vulnerable families could still enjoy Shabir Beg OBE, Chairman of Scottish Ahlul Bayt fraternity as that’s where it’s needed just now. Football a wholesome meal. Manager Paul Hartley, Society (SABS) takes up the story. is a big backbone of Scottish society; it’s a big thing, and I Donated £2,000 worth of drinks, snacks and believe it has the power to break down cultural and ethnic 5 treats to hospitals to provide a free tuck shop club captain Mitch Megginson and midfielder boundaries and unite people. for patients who were unable to receive visits Blair Yule were among a group of volunteers We’ve been doing a lot of health and from loved ones who took part in the #StillStandingFree wellbeing projects with the Rangers People are often surprised to hear that we work with the campaign organised by AFC Community Trust. Charity Foundation during the Rangers Foundation and they are even more surprised to Supported Unicef UK to provide These packages were delivered in partnership pandemic. find out many Muslims are huge football fans and follow 6 protective equipment for health with Community Food Initiatives North-East the same team they do! (CFINE). When the Football Fans in Training workers around the world (FFIT) programme could no longer Football has a big part to play in the life of Asians and Arranged special videos of support run face to face exercise sessions at the we’re just as passionate as any other supporters so there 7 from first team players for people in stadium, they started running weekly are powerful links there. need of a special boost home fitness classes instead, which we shared with our We would like to eradicate the community via WhatsApp messages and Facebook. fear factor in the Muslim This was a positive initiative which proved very popular community. It’s a sad Rangers Charity Down in Ayrshire, Kilmarnock with people of all ages, as it helped them get some fact that many Foundation also created Community Sports Trust worked with the form of exercise when they were stuck at home during Muslims still think #AFoundationFromHome football’s not for local council to deliver football sessions to the lockdown. project as a direct response them, yet they to the outbreak of Covid-19. children of front line workers. This was also Being available on video, people could watch and do the love playing it This included resources for extended to children that were continuing to sessions as and when it suited them. It was a great way for and follow young people with autism and attend hub schools in the area. It provided an people to de-stress and many said it helped them relax. a team. their families, Football Fans in outlet for the children to exercise and interact Training participants, and the during this challenging time. visually impaired. 18 Covid-19 Impact Report SPFL Trust 19 The Famous Five A Day

Hibernian Community Foundation provided ‘The “A lot of football clubs, not just Hibs, have looked at Famous Five A Day’ weekend and holiday food parcels themselves throughout the pandemic and assessed what for disadvantaged families across Edinburgh and East their role is within the community. They have used their Lothian from April this year. contacts and status as a football club to help the people who really need it. They worked with seven partner schools, Elphinstone Carers and Kinsfolk Carers in Leith, to identify families “Because of the power that Hibs has in the football world who would benefit when the schools were closed during they could do a little bit extra so they also gave families the lockdown and the holidays when free lunches were not educational resources for maths, literacy, PE and fitness to available. encourage the pupils to stay fit mentally and physically.” The foundation delivered over 2,300 food parcels and over Daniel spent about three hours every Friday afternoon at 35,000 items to date (October), supporting 450 people a Stadium helping to pack food parcels which week. contained ingredients to cook meals such as pasta and sauce, tins of soup, cereal, bread and fruit. He also went They also gave clothes and educational resources to to the stadium for a few hours on Saturdays to assist with schools during Child Poverty Week in October and shared food collections. Dundee Community Trust launched a social and 40 educational resources online which were accessed by digital inclusion service called ‘Dundee Together’. over 350,000 users. He said: “I’m sure it was the same for a lot of people during It provided tablets to the people across the lockdown all the days start merging into one when there’s Daniel Shields (26), who works for a travel and sport community, enabling them to be part of activities nothing to make the start of the week stand out. events company, was placed on furlough in April when the during the pandemic. pandemic struck. He offered his support to the foundation “With this being on a Friday and Saturday afternoon it gave me to pack food parcels. something to look forward to and broke the week up a bit. Daniel said: “Football in general has had quite a bad “It was great to see familiar faces every week and have reputation over the last few months with a bit of fallout face to face conversations and a bit of banter in a socially Famous Five after they stopped the season and they were deciding what distanced environment during a time when social 40 happened from there. interaction was very limited. 350,000 educational “From an elite point of view there’s all those arguments “It was really fulfilling to know that by giving just two or users of the resources but if you drill down a little bit more the community side three hours a week, which is a fairly small amount of time, online resources of clubs across Scotland has really come together. you could be part of helping hundreds of families and about Facts! 300 to 500 individuals. “They’ve realised they are a huge part of the community and integral in helping people. “It gave me a real sense of purpose during lockdown when there was very little else to do.” 35,000 450 2,300 items delivered people a week food parcels supported

20 Covid-19 Impact Report SPFL Trust 21 Team Talk With The Ton Morton also used SPFL Trust donor funding to help with the return of trust staff. This allowed for face to face football sessions, along with their community Greenock Morton Community “The group gave me something to look forward to every teams and hockey teams to come back to training Trust’s Team Talk is a weekly week, made me feel safer and lockdown became easier with 250+ young people taking part. session for men aged 16 and as the weeks went by.” over to come and have a chat Stephen believes that Team Talk provides a very safe space with like-minded men. because of the programme’s culture. Participants don’t have to He said: “You can meet people and have your voice heard register, they can just turn knowing you are safe and will never be made to feel up and they don’t even have unwanted, awkward or foolish for how you feel or what to talk during sessions if they you have to say. don’t want to, they can just After facing traumatic experiences when he grew up, Stephen enjoy the company, a cuppa now feels more comfortable to talk, but importantly, be heard, Motherwell and biscuit. too. Community Trust and “I don’t know what Falkirk Foundation There’s also an extra quiet room in case anyone needs “I don’t feel awkward or uncomfortable saying stuff at Team Talk also worked with some time out. my life would be like meetings because the people there listen and make me feel like local partners to offer I matter. Stephen, who takes part in the peer support group at mental health support to the local community. every Monday evening, explains how the without Team Talk. It “I have always felt alone in life and that no one would Using the unique reach of football to deliver programme has helped him. understand, Team Talk has made me see I’m not the only who weekly mental health groups for men that provides a voice for the has issues and feels lonely or uncomfortable with life in general. provided direct support, peer support and 1-2-1 “During lockdown, Team Talk was vital to me. It was good support when and where needed. to know other people were struggling during these times,” voiceless. he said. “I know I always have “Lockdown was extremely hard and it’s still difficult, but “Morton Team Talk has helped me in many ways, ways in the WhatsApp group and the Zoom calls helped me to stay which I couldn’t imagine it would. someone to talk to when I Annan Athletic’s Black & Gold calm and relaxed. Foundation have used SPFL “I always found it hard to communicate with people and I feel down and depressed now. Trust donor funding to support “I never felt I was trapped even though we were in felt socially awkward in large and small groups. Team Talk employability opportunities in lockdown because I had an outlet for my anger or has helped me feel comfortable within myself to meet new Team Talk has helped me be the local Dumfries and Galloway emotions to escape the troubles of the situation. people and as a result I have made more friends. area. A lack of employment opportunities will “Team Talk inspired me to stay positive and keep fighting “My anxiety is less of a stumbling block which means I’m a better person. be combated by offering work experience, through my mental health issues. I was also more aware less nervous and not worried as much when meeting new “I feel more comfortable in my own skin and I have a better on the job skills, and expenses for travel. The of how other people were feeling so I pushed myself a bit people. The way Team Talk is organised helped to calm my understanding of who I am and what my limits are. Team Talk foundation also opened a local community hub harder to be there for those who needed me. nerves and makes me feel less worried and stressed. It has has helped me to understand who I am, I couldn’t have done this to support activity post-Covid-19. also helped me be a much better listener. without them.”

22 Covid-19 Impact Report SPFL Trust 23 Montrose Delivery Hits The Spot Delivery volunteer Alistair McFarlane said: “I’ve been in Using their minibus they collected one person at a time Montrose for about 40 years and I volunteered to deliver to maintain social distancing, and took them to hospital these meals because I wanted to give something back to appointments, such as vital chemotherapy treatment or a the community. diabetes clinic. The minibus also transported people to the supermarket for essential shopping and/or the pharmacy “When we first started you’d just put the food at their for medication. They also supported families by taking their door on the step and a lot of them were shy and a bit self- children to the hub at Lochside Primary School. conscious so it was really a matter of just saying, morning have a nice day, but nowadays I have long chats with many Amanda Taylor said: “The Community Trust has of them which is lovely. been helping me by transporting me to my doctor’s appointments down at the health centre because with me “While this is so good for the community it’s also been shielding it was really hard to get out. really good for me, it’s a fantastic way to feel like I’m doing something useful during this crisis, to be sociable and get “It’s been an absolute godsend and changed my life out of the house.” completely during lockdown. If it wasn’t for them, I would never have managed to get out of the house and be so safe.” Christine Garden is very grateful to the help she receives from The Trust, she said: “They do an awful lot, they’ve Chief executive Peter Davidson explains: “The minibus really been my backbone. My son has autism, epilepsy and provided people with the comfort and peace of mind that learning disabilities and it’s been much less stressful for us they could leave the house for essential treatment safely. all to have support from the Trust. It’s just been wonderful.” Without this service many of them would have missed appointments and this could have impacted badly upon Another recipient, Anne Baillie, said: “I’ve been getting their health.” steak pie, macaroni cheese, lasagne, mince and potatoes, Pre-Covid-19, Montrose Community Trust (MCT) would Peter Davidson, MCT Chief Executive, said: “The meals are stovies and they are all home cooked meals. I think that’s The Trust also provided over 500 free footballs to local usually deliver 33 weekly programmes to address some delicious and Anne in particular has put such a lot of effort brilliant that they take the time out of their day to do that children living in poverty to ensure they could get some of the key inequalities that exist in their town, using the into creating the menus and preparing these meals that are for people. They stand and chat with you and ask how you exercise outdoors, and educational activity packs to power and widespread appeal of football to inspire change. not only tasty but very nutritious as well.” are. If it wasn’t for those meals I really don’t know what I support parents with home schooling. However, because they were unable to deliver any of their Volunteer cook Anne Kenny was keen to help in any way would do. I’d just like to thank them very, very much from traditional programmes face-to-face during the pandemic she could when the pandemic hit. She said: “It just makes the bottom of my heart.” they put their time and efforts into delivering a Covid-19 you feel quite nice that you’ve tried to do something to help The Trust also had volunteers doing contactless doorstep Community Assist Scheme. people who are really in need during this difficult time.” collections of food which they took to the local foodbank This project had a number of strands all designed to Lois Bruce has responsibility for delivering hot meals to and they have donated over two and a half tonnes of food (so far). support the most disadvantaged and vulnerable people those on their contact list. She said: “I think the benefit embedded vid within the community. this programme is having on Montrose as a community is Montrose Community Trust also provided essential a very great one. I hate to imagine what these families and They used their facilities at Links Park Stadium to prepare transport to people who were shielding so they could individuals might do if they didn’t have this available to and deliver over 2,800 hot meals and accompanying snack attend hospital appointments in comfort and safety, them.” bags to individuals and families who were struggling to and to others who had been affected by the reduction afford to buy food during the lockdown. Delivery volunteer Alistair McFarlane said: “I’ve been in of public transport.

24 Covid-19 Impact Report SPFL Trust 25 United For Kickstart for Peterhead & Dumbarton both reached out to local care homes and community football My Home Team football memories projects to offer free streaming of home matches. The idea from both clubs allowed elderly people We’re aiming to super-charge employment in A hundred “Pick Me Up” packs filled with activities and who were self isolating or shielding to Scottish football by supporting ATCs in a joint stationery to use during lockdown were also distributed retain a sense of normality and support application for the UK Government’s Kickstart to children. from outside their bubble. scheme. The packs contained a Dundee United FC pencil case with pencil and pen, diary and wristbands, activity booklets The initiative aims to create a 100% funded job, or and a children’s book called ‘Lucy’s Blue Day’ which was jobs, for those aged 16 to 24 who are out of work. Cowdenbeath engaged with the written to help children who are suffering from mental We’ve partnered with the Scottish Council local Fife community via social health problems. It also included a handy oral health care for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) to act as media at the outset of the pandemic kit with toothpaste and a timer to encourage the children a representative and support ATCs with their by providing skills challenges and to brush their teeth for longer. application submission. SCVO’s 22 years’ of sharing local NHS updates. More experience in employment services will be invaluable Dundee United FC themed activity booklets were recently they have opened up Central in this process. That sector awareness has supported Dundee United Community Trust launched a project provided to primary school aged children along with a Park Stadium to NHS Tayside to 18,842 people through the New Deal, created 5,440 called “My Home Team” during the pandemic to tackle booklet filled with exercises which, if done daily, would facilitate a flu vaccination service. the effects of isolation, loneliness and the impact of help muscles and joints remain active throughout jobs in the Future Jobs Fund and helped around Covid-19 on people’s mental health and wellbeing. lockdown. They even thought of something for the wee 10,000 young people into jobs through Community ones and created a ‘Tiny Tangerines’ exercise booklet Jobs Scotland (CJS). This involved making and receiving over two thousand for nursery aged children to keep them active at home phone calls which supported at least 618 people, In the Highlands, Inverness We aim to operate this as widely as possible, as such during the lockdown. including a group of 13 who took part in weekly Zoom Caledonian Thistle also used any organisation, regardless of size, can apply for meetings. Hand delivered letters were sent to 61 vulnerable people social media, providing loads of funding, and there is no limit on the number of six- to tell them about various services that were available great engaging activities. Their month job placements you can request. Paul Wilson, head of community development at to them, and they offered up to 24 live sessions of online own TogetherNESS food delivery Dundee United Community Trust, said: “One lady who We hope the programme will support ATCs football sessions per week over Zoom for members and campaign was also really successful lived alone and was shielding throughout lockdown had in building capacity and also play our part in the public to join in with. providing meals and care packages very little interaction with anyone. stimulating employment at this challenging time. to vulnerable people. In addition, 100 children received Halloween packs filled “She only saw the person who delivered her food with DIY decorations, sweets and two pints of milk. shopping each week but they didn’t have time to stop and talk to her for long. She thanked us for our weekly calls and said it made her feel valued.” East Fife & The Trust also worked closely with the charity ‘Dundee Stirling Albion took to social media to support the local community by signposting updates Edinburgh City Bairns’ which provides meals to children who are living reached out to fans in poverty. on NHS guidance, providing digital resources to adults and children in their community throughout the pandemic Paul added: “We made available for programmes, and linking with local support by sharing NHS guidance, distributing meals and during this time about 2,140 partners to highlight key services for online training guides, and lunches and 2,240 breakfasts were handed out to local vulnerable members of the community. activities for children. vulnerable children.” 26 Covid-19 Impact Report SPFL Trust 27 Scottish Professional Football League Trust , Glasgow, G42 9DE 0141 620 4162 | [email protected] spfltrust.org.uk

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