Aberdeen FC's Community Trust Joins Major Partnership to Tackle Child Poverty
Aberdeen FC's Community Trust has joined a major new partnership to tackle child poverty in Scotland, backed by £850,000 of Whole Family Support funding. The partnership will establish five Whole Family Hubs across East Ayrshire, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Aberdeen, and Inverclyde, providing accessible support to families experiencing financial hardship.
The partnership aims to support 500 families in its first year, providing relationship-based, whole-family support to help households improve their financial stability, wellbeing, and resilience. Football sits at the heart of communities across Scotland, creating welcoming and relaxed environments where people can connect and access support without judgement.
Centre Circle is an innovative model designed to help families access inclusive and preventative support at their local football ground, a place they already know and trust. The partnership also includes Falkirk Football Community Foundation, Big Hearts Community Trust, and Morton in the Community.
Jordan Allison, Head of Charity at The Killie Community, said: “Families across Ayrshire are having to stretch what they have further than it will go, and accessing help still carries a stigma. Centre Circle changes where that conversation happens. The Scottish Government backing this tells us football is trusted to sit at the heart of tackling child poverty, and we intend to prove that trust is well placed.”
League standing (final 2025 table -- new season not yet under way): 8th in Premiership, 33 pts, 9W-6D-18L from 33 games, recent form LLWDW. The partnership is a sign of the power of football in bringing communities together and providing support to those who need it most.
The partnership will provide a range of services, including financial support, education, and employment assistance. The Whole Family Hubs will be staffed by trained professionals who will work with families to identify their needs and provide tailored support.
Craig Wilson, CEO of Big Hearts Community Trust, said: “Centre Circle is a new approach to deliver whole-family support across local communities in Scotland through the driving force of the beautiful game. The £850,000 funding announced by the Scottish Government, with only 10 organisations supported for 2026/27, is a sign of the incredible work that has been delivered so far by Big Hearts and our key partners: Falkirk Football Community Foundation, Aberdeen FC Community Trust, Morton in the Community, and The Killie Community.
Why it matters for Aberdeen FC
The partnership is a significant step forward in tackling child poverty in Scotland, and Aberdeen FC's Community Trust is proud to be a part of it. The Whole Family Hubs will provide a vital service to families in need, and the partnership will help to improve the lives of thousands of people across the country.
What the partnership means for Aberdeen FC
The partnership will provide a range of benefits for Aberdeen FC, including increased community engagement and improved relationships with local families. The Whole Family Hubs will also provide a valuable resource for the club's Community Trust, allowing them to provide more effective support to families in need.
