Cove Rangers launch community foundation in bid to boost wellbeing across Aberdeen

A community foundation with the goal to empower communities and improve lives through football within South Aberdeen and Portlethen was officially launched by Cove Rangers FC this week.

Cove Rangers Community Foundation will build on the firm foundations of the club, which has long been a focal point for people in the South of Aberdeen and surrounding communities for more than a hundred years.

Poverty is a key driver of health inequality and can have a long-term negative impact on people’s lives, with the foundation highlighting several factors impacting people in the city.

READ MORE: Aberdeen's historic Esslemont and Macintosh building to go under the hammer for a second time

READ MORE: Royal-approved Aberdeenshire restaurant named one of the best in the world by Conde Nast

They say over a fifth of children in Aberdeen are living in poverty, and that in some areas around the Balmoral Stadium the average income is £10,000 less than the city average.

People living in poverty are three times more likely to die by suicide, and physical activity is one of the most important things someone can do for their health and wellbeing.

However, almost 30% of adults do not meet physical activity recommendations, and 23% of Aberdeen’s adult population are obese.

Cove Rangers Community Foundation has set out its key objectives as they look to benefit the lives of thousands living around they city, including:

• Inspire a new interest in physical exercise across generations.

• Provide football and other sporting activities for a variety of age groups and provide opportunities for people to lead healthier lives.

• Promote participation in activities designed to improve health and wellbeing.

• Build strong links with communities and develop key partnerships with public, private and Third Sector organisations both locally and nationally.

• Work closely with Cove Rangers Football Club and its supporters to achieve maximum benefit for all those who participate and volunteer in The Foundation’s programme of activities.

• Promote equality and inclusion through programmes that target the disadvantaged.

• Provide a range of projects designed to assist in the development of life skills.

• Make a positive change within communities.

• Range of activities to be driven by the needs of the people living in the local communities.

• Empower those living in the local communities to reach their full potential.

Robert Smith, Chair, of Cove Rangers Community Foundation, said: "Over the years Cove Rangers Football Club has developed strong links with the community and the creation of the Cove Rangers Community Foundation is a natural progression for the club.

"We look forward to building on these firm foundations to use the power of football to motive and empower children, young people, adults and families within South Aberdeen and Portlethen to live happier, healthier and longer lives."

Jenny Laing, Chief Executive of Cove Rangers Community Foundation, said: "The Cove Rangers Community Foundation will provide dedicated resources and focused support to help our communities to tackle the ongoing challenges they face.

"Over the next three years The Foundation will deliver a programme of activities within communities which is designed to reduce social isolation, improve child nutrition, and promote healthy lifestyles across generations.

"Through our programme we aim to spark a renaissance in physical exercise among young and old, provide opportunities for people to lead healthier lives and empower those living in our communities to reach their full potential.

"To deliver our ambitious objectives we will need to work with others therefore we are committed to building stronger links with communities, and to establishing key partnerships with other public and private sector organisations both locally and nationally."

Businesses, community organisations and individuals interested in finding out more about working with, volunteering or details of future activities are welcome to email chiefexecutivecrcf@gmail.com in the first instance.

The Foundation’s key objectives are aligned to local, national, and international outcomes, and its founding principles are based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the World Health Organisation’s Global Action Plan on Physical Activity.

Cove Rangers Community Foundation is an independent registered charity (SC052676) with a Board of Trustees.