STENHOUSEMUIR FC RECOGNISED AS A COMMUNITY ANCHOR ORGANISATION

Stenhousemuir Football Club is proud to confirm it has been recognised as a Community Anchor Organisation (CAO) by The Scottish Government and the National Lottery Community Fund.

This is in recognition of the Club’s leadership and continuing commitment to supporting the local community response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The funding provided will support the Club’s Community Help Initiative (CHI) which is providing a vital support service to hundreds of families every week. The Club has also secured funding for other local organisations, further information will be released regarding this next week.

Chief Executive Jamie Swinney commented

“This funding will make a big difference to our Club, our partners and our community. Stenhousemuir FC prides itself on its role within the community, as our vision states ‘We are a professional club with the community at its heart’.

“It has been an immense privilege to provide vital support to vulnerable people during this crisis and this new funding will make a key difference to the people and communities living locally during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have been completely blown away by the response from our community, our supporters and our partners. The CHI is built around our community. This grant award has been made possible by our team of 150+ individuals who have displayed an incredible level of compassion and commitment to provide invaluable support to people at this most uncertain of times. We are proud to have played our part in uniting our community. This grant recognises and pays tribute to everything we have achieved together”.

The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland Director Neil Ritch commented

“We know community organisations like Stenhousemuir FC have significant experience in responding to challenges so they are well placed to support people and communities as they look to provide a local response to COVID-19. The Scottish Government Supporting Communities Fund will make a key difference to the lives of many people living locally, helping them to become more resilient in the face of this crisis”.

The CHI is in its 10^th week of operation and supports over 300 families weekly. An incredible team of 150 volunteers has helped to deliver the following:-

• 307 families supported with shopping and prescription collections
• 6000 school meals delivered to young people qualifying for free school meals
• 1300 home cooked meals provided free of charge for our vulnerable people
• 741 vulnerable families supported with vital food parcels
• A virtual library service providing free books to anyone in the community
• A befriending service ensuring regular contact for those socially isolated
• Free bedding plants gifted to vulnerable people

The initiative has accumulated over 11,500 hours of support to many local people including some of the most vulnerable in society. Stenhousemuir FC coordinate and manage the CHI through its board of directors and 3 full-time staff with support from a team of 150 volunteers. The initiative is a collaborative effort with a number of partners playing a key role including:-

Keeping Larbert & Stenhousemuir Beautiful, Carron Bathrooms, Larbert Round Table, Larbert High School Charity, Larbert High School, St Mungo’s High School and all Larbert cluster primary schools.

The fund will support the running costs associated with managing the CHI including staffing costs and a contribution to core facility costs.

Stenhousemuir FC is extremely grateful to the Scottish Government and National Lottery Communities Fund for supporting the Club and supporting our community.

Stenhousemuir FC wishes to extend its services to vulnerable people beyond the lockdown. You can help us achieve this ambition by signing up to our ‘Support our community, protect your club’ campaign. From £5 a month you can play your part in our future and make an incredible difference to the lives of vulnerable people in our community.

Sign up here https://dev.stenhousemuirfc.com/2020/05/15/support-our-community-protect-your-club/