DFC Community Football

The Pitch

Problem statement

Dundee FC Community Trust works in some of the most deprived areas across the whole of the UK. According to Scottish Household Survey, almost half of children and young people are living in the 20% most deprived areas of the city. Sports facilities are having to combat the energy crisis, by raising their costs. This increase has fallen on the participants, many of which are struggling between heating their homes and feeding their families. Data from Scottish Government show physical activity levels are at a record low. The increasing number of barriers for low-income families is having detrimental impact on sport and children are not able to benefit from the positive aspects sport brings.

Solution

We aim to provide a safe, inclusive space where children are able to participate in free sports sessions. By removing barriers to participation, children will be able to reap the rewards that sport offers. This includes improved physical health, increase in happiness, reduction in stress and anxiety, increased confidence, improved social skills, allows young people to make new friends and most importantly - have fun! Many of the young people we work with in deprived areas lack some, or all of the above benefits sport offers. Our service can support these people to maximise their potential. We expect over 60 regular participants. 16 week project Coaches wages = £528 Facility Hire = £288

Why are we best placed to deliver?

Our football department has seen us run sessions for all ages. We secured a large contract to facilitate our Tiny Dees preschool classes across a number of nurseries within the city, which has been a huge success. Our partnerships with local primary schools allow us to work with over 150 children every week, providing them with fun engaging sessions. With repeated bookings, this demonstrates the demand for our service. We recently launched the Dundee FC Girls Academy. The rapid growth of these teams has demonstrated a need for our service and the ongoing positive feedback from parents and players tells us our positive impact. With high quality, experienced coaches we are ready to expand.

Focus Areas

Delivery plan

Budget breakdown

Beneficiaries

60 people

Expected impact

With these sessions we aim to have a huge impact on aiding the development of young people across Dundee. Through sessions we can have a huge influence both physically and mentally. These sessions will tie in with both local strategy and the national framework of sport in Scotland. These sessions will have a huge positive impact on the children both physically, mentally and socially. Rising childhood obesity and poor mental health are two huge challenges being faced across the country. Sport has a positive influence on physical health and has been shown to reduce anxiety, increase happiness and boost confidence. Since the pandemic many children have lacked social interaction with other children which is crucial for their development. Our sessions will bring them together and aid their interpersonal skills. By removing financial barriers we are also supporting families. Parents will no longer have to sacrifice sport and its benefits in replacement of food, warmth or children clothing.

Track record

Delivered football sessions to 28 primary schools across the city. Worked with over 500 children in 2022. Our volunteer cohort come primarily from those who have come through one of our education programmes. Give free places to our holiday camps for over 60 disadvantaged families every year and provide these children with care packages including food, clothing, toiletries and fuel vouchers.