Extra Time – Community Games project supporting children during October Break

Last week, Celtic FC Foundation hosted a record number of 75 children at Celtic Park for its October Community Games project, as part of the Scottish FA’s Extra Time programme. Taking place at the stadium and nearby facilities, the week-long initiative saw local primary children benefit from extensive ongoing support during the school holidays. Participants were provided with three nutritious meals each day—breakfast, lunch, and a takeaway meal on exit—and engaged in various fun and educational activities, including, football sessions, music, and fun games. Personal development workshops also took place which focused on helping the children build communication skills, positive self-esteem and team working. Since its launch in 2012, the Foundation’s Community Games projects has supported thousands of primary children during the Easter, Summer, and October school holidays, offering healthy meals and enriching activities to vulnerable local children. The project was expanded thanks to funding from the Scottish FA and the Scottish Government, with the Scottish FA Extra Time Programme aiming to provide after-school and holiday activity clubs for primary school-aged children. The programme looks to develop an understanding of how organised activities for children and wider engagement with local support services can improve outcomes, particularly for those families on low incomes. Tony Hamilton, Chief Executive of Celtic FC Foundation said: “Thanks again to the Scottish FA and Scottish Government for their support. This has made a massive difference to so many young people this year. “When the schools are closed many families face additional hardship so it’s important for us that we play a part in alleviating that for as many people as we can. “We’re continuing to do something similar in Ireland and London and those are only possible because of the backing we get from funders and supporters across the world – a sincere thanks to all involved.” For more information on Celtic FC Foundation’s ‘Extra Time – Community Games’ project, please contact [email protected]