Whilst the national team were registering back-to-back friendly wins by beating Denmark at Hampden Park on Tuesday March 29th 2016, TACC invited some disadvataged young people along to the game as part of the "My First Scotland Match" programme.  There were 3 groups of children from Panmure St Ann’s School (Edinburgh), the Dumbarton Road Corridor Youth Project and Kilmarnock FC Community Development (Ayrshire Children’s Services).

Panmure St Anns (Edinburgh)

Panmure St Anns is a special school in Edinburgh for young people between 14-16 who have failed to manage in mainstream school due to a variety of behavioural, social and emotional reasons caused by issues such as parental neglect or substance misuse, bereavement, exclusion due to behaviour or social isolation due to mental health or poverty issues. These children come from economically constrained backgrounds and would otherwise not experience a Scotland match and all the excitement that such a trip contains. The young people struggle to broaden their horizon beyond their local communities and even a trip to Glasgow is beyond most of their comprehension.

Andy Welsh – Groupworker at the school says “We had a great time – the boys are all now converted to the Tartan Army!  It was a trip that took all of them way out of their comfort zone and has been a valuable experience for them all.  All the young people were delighted with their Scotland tops. Given their personal circumstances it is something that they would have little opportunity to own. They all said thank you for taking them which is unusual for our young people and I would like to pass their thanks on to TACC as you made the trip possible. “

Dumbarton Road Corridor Youth Project - Glasgow

The 'Dumbarton Road Corridor Youth Project' (DRCYP) works with socially excluded young people in the communities of Yoker, Scotstoun and Whiteinch to the west side of Glasgow. The project is responsive to the articulate needs of young people and the priorities identified by relevant agencies.  They offer ongoing support to their members and encourage young people to participate in a range of activities and initiatives (often related to: health and wellbeing, territorial issues, drugs and alcohol misuse, bullying, gambling awareness etc.)
DRCYP work together with young people who are socially excluded and who often, do not leave the confines of their area. Leaving their local area is a big step, but one that can have a positive impact on a young person. Watching a Scotland game would be a massive confidence boost for members.

Gerard Espie Youth Development & Employability Worker says – “Just wanted to thank the Tartan Army Children’s Charity for all your support. The group were delighted with their strips, tenner, flags, tickets, seats and the victory. Couldn't ask for more really! Once again, thanks for everything. Superb. I tip my hat to the TACC.”

Kilmarnock FC Community Development - Ayrshire Children’s Services

 
TACC are working with Paul Di Giacomo and Brian Sproul at Kilmarnock FC Community Dept. as part of our TACC FC programme. They, supported by Ayrshire Children’s Services, were able to identify children who are impaired with multiple and very complex issues.

Nicola Hume, Service Manager, Ayrshire Children’s Services CIC (ACS) says “I would just like to say a huge thanks for the tickets and football tops given to Ayrshire Children’s Services young people and staff.  They had a great time and a Bonus seeing Scotland win!  Parents and kids were so grateful for the opportunity and asked me to pass that on to everyone at TACC.  These types of opportunities and experience don’t come along very often for our children due to their complex needs.  I would be most grateful if in the future you could consider us for anything similar it would be fantastic to extend this to other young people and families supported by ACS.”