Aberdeen FC's calling home for Christmas Campaign begins today
The club and their community trust aim to make over 5,000 welfare calls to fans - with volunteers plus current and ex players at the other end of the line.
Aberdeen Football Club and the Aberdeen FC Community Trust (AFCCT) are hitting the phones beginning today (30th of November) as they launch their “Calling Home for Christmas” campaign.
The campaign will see the calls team, which was set up at the beginning of lockdown, reformed with the aim of making over 5,000 welfare calls to fans. Club and Trust staff and volunteers, along with players and former players, will be kicking off the campaign on Monday to lift spirits, especially among those who have been shielding or experiencing mental health issues.
AFCCT chief executive, Liz Bowie, said: “In a year like no other, the run-up to Christmas is going to be tough for many fans and their families. That’s why we will be, once again, checking-in with as many as we can to bring some festive cheer.”
The Calling Home for Christmas campaign will see the Club and the Trust contact supporters and participants in the Trust’s programmes, who may be at particular risk of social isolation during the festive season. AFC fans will also be given the opportunity to nominate fellow fans, who may be in need of cheering up, to get a call from the team.
The new drive builds on the impact made earlier this year through the #StillStandingFree campaign which was set up to help fans in the wider community throughout the coronavirus crisis. Over the course of 16 weeks the dedicated calls team made over 15,000 calls as part of a mass outreach programme to check-in with people during lockdown.
Ms Bowie added: “Earlier this year it was estimated that as many as one in four people will suffer from mental health issues as a result of being in lock-down. As part of the calls this time round, supporters will not only be directed towards the Thrive mental health app which is offered free by the Club’s Health & Wellbeing Partner, Health Shield, but also sign-posted to a mental health workshop we will be delivering in December.”
As with #StillStandingFree, the Calling Home for Christmas campaign will support the community in other ways. More details will follow early next week on how AFCCT will be helping to deliver Christmas cheer to youngsters throughout the region this festive season.