The Hargreaves Foundation supports Big Hearts Community Trust

The Trustees of The Hargreaves Foundation are delighted to announce that funding has been granted to Big Hearts Community Trust in support of their ‘Switching Play’ programme, aimed at offering disengaged young people in Edinburgh access to participatory sport.

Big Hearts is based in the home of Heart of Midlothian Football Club, Edinburgh, and uses the unique reach of football to give children and adults opportunities to live safe and fulfilling lives. Through a range of services focused on mental health, social connections, and equal opportunities, Big Hearts provide for those who would not otherwise access support; in the past year, they supported over 800 individuals aged 5-95 with support from over 200 Big Heart volunteers.

This funding from The Hargreaves Foundation will allow Big Hearts to deliver an additional Switching Play programme which will provide an ‘alternative curriculum’ to 15 young people aged 13-16 living in poverty and disengaged from school. Over six weeks, the project proposes to engage these young people in football coaching and other physical activity, build their skills and confidence, increase their social connections, and work towards development goals including relevant accreditations.

Existing youth services often fail to effectively engage those living in poverty suffering from poor mental health and alienation from others. Switching Play addresses this by providing a unique, engaging service and essential pathway to personal development and future employability for these vulnerable young people.