Over the summer holidays, Big Hearts is leading 6-week of community activities supported by the Scottish FA.
Lunch for children and local residents, days out for teenagers, mornings of football coaching, reminiscence afternoons, evenings of walking football… This July, Big Hearts has started delivering a comprehensive range of summer activities harnessing the power of sport in promoting community wellbeing and togetherness.
With worldwide sport events across the summer, the charity of Heart of Midlothian FC is at the forefront of the Scottish Football Association (SFA) ‘Summer of football’, by creating inclusive football-inspired experiences for younger and older generations.
This national initiative from the SFA is part of the Scottish Government wider ‘Summer of Sport’ programme. The SFA has awarded Big Hearts a £17,500 grant, allowing our groups and sessions to be inclusive and free to access for members of the community.
This comes in addition to the pre-existing SFA ‘Extra Time’ funding, which enables Big Hearts to offer after school and school holiday activities for primary school children in South-West Edinburgh.
Caryn Kerr, Head of Income & Development at Big Hearts said: “It’s a privilege to be trusted by the SFA to extend our activities at Tynecastle Park when the schools are off this summer. Big Hearts will be engaging with no less than 430 adults and children across 6 weeks. We are particularly grateful to be able to widen the age range of young people attending our School’s Out! project, and provide age-appropriate sessions for teenagers.”
Backed by Scottish Government investment, as part of a £20 million fund, and administered by Sportscotland, the ‘Summer of Sport’ programme gives people the chance to get active in their local communities through events and activities hosted by schools, clubs, sporting bodies and local authorities.
Commenting on the initiative, Hearts Legend and Scottish International Craig Gordon said: “Sport can be life-changing for young people – it builds confidence, friendships and a sense of belonging. [..] It is brilliant to see investment being made to ensure children and young people across the country have real opportunities to get involved, try something new, and stay active in their local areas.”
– July 2026 –
