Heather’s story: Counselling Young People at Big Hearts
At Big Hearts, we believe in the power of the beautiful game to improves lives across the communities we serve. This World Mental Health Day, we are proud to highlight the story of our own team member Heather Brown, whose personal journey reflects the values of resilience, compassion, and community that guide our work.
Heather first joined Hearts six years ago, working in the ticket office. In 2020 when the pandemic struck, she, like many, faced challenges with her own mental health. During this time, Heather made the brave decision to pursue counselling, a path inspired by her own experience of depression and her determination to support others.
Despite having dyslexia and once believing higher education was out of reach, Heather enrolled in college before progressing to university, where she completed her counselling studies. This journey led her back to Big Hearts, this time in a new role that would allow her to make a difference in the lives of others.
Today, Heather is a qualified counsellor working with young people and families across Big Hearts’ programmes, in partnership with organisations such as SAMH, Space at Broomhouse Hub and WithKids. Through one-to-one support and group sessions, Heather helps young participants build confidence, find their voice, and feel proud of who they are.
Reflecting on her work, Heather says: “It makes a real difference when young people feel safe enough to speak about their feelings and experiences. Having that space can change the course of their adulthood, helping them to grow into people they can be proud of.”
Creating these safe spaces is central to Big Hearts’ ambition to become a Trauma Informed Organisation. For Heather, this approach is vital: “We need to understand the different ways young people learn and experience the world. When we open our eyes to those differences, we can build an environment where everyone feels accepted.”
From school programmes to community sessions, Heather sees daily how Big Hearts provides more than activities. Parents regularly share feedback on the positive changes they notice in their children, with many describing Big Hearts as a place their children are eager to attend because they feel safe, heard, and valued.
Heather adds: “This is a safe place. You’re not judged here. You can speak about how you feel, and you can have fun being yourself. You can see the weight lift off young people’s shoulders, that’s the best part of what we do.”
Heather’s story embodies the values of World Mental Health Day: courage in facing challenges, the importance of community support, and the transformative power of kindness. Her journey from the Hearts ticket office to becoming a counsellor at Big Hearts is a true inspiration to us all here at Big Hearts.
– October 2025 –
