Social Investment supporting sports clubs as community hubs

Dundee East Community Sports Club was awarded £340,000 of Social Investment support back in May 2019. As a community hub, they provide not just sporting facilities and activities, they also play an important role in the wider community.  Our Social Investment team recently paid them a visit to say hello to some old friends and see what’s been happening.

Background
Dundee East Community Sports Club (DECSC), based in Broughty Ferry, plays an important role within the local community.  Established in 2007 and attaining SCIO status in 2015, football is the obvious draw.  DECSC is comprised of ten local football clubs, but the real goal is something bigger, using the power of football to build trust, open doors and create lasting opportunities for people who otherwise may be left out. They provide a comprehensive pathway from age 5 to adult. Based at the Quest Arena, their community-driven initiatives have made a significant impact on local sports development and engagement.  

Foundation Scotland support 
Foundation Scotland awarded DECSC £340,000 in May 2019 towards the cost of 3G pitch and floodlights on their 11 a-side pitch, and a temporary building containing a kitchen and a classroom. They also received funding support from Sport Scotland.

What they do
Their clubs boast over 1,000 playing members, ranging from ages 3 to 74, with more than 100 qualified coaches and volunteers. This extensive network ensures a vibrant and supportive environment for players at all levels. 

The club's facilities, developed through strategic partnerships and funding, include changing rooms, a community hall, a state-of-the-art 11-a-side artificial pitch and a 7-a-side pitch, all secured on a 99-year lease from Dundee City Council. Collaborations with organisations such as the SFA, Leisure and Culture Dundee, McDonald's, the Scottish Football Partnership Trust, and Active Schools Dundee have been instrumental in delivering various programs. Additionally, their partnership with Dundee and Angus College has provided valuable placement opportunities for students within their member clubs. And their commitment to community extends beyond sports.  Their member clubs have supported numerous local, national and international causes including  Andy’s Man Club, Dundee  Food  Bank, Ferry Foodbank, Togs, No Boots No More, Blythswood Care, Feeling Strong and Radio Tay’s Cash for Kids. 

Profits from pitch hire, coaching and hospitality are reinvested directly back into the community, supporting children, young people, families and older adults across Dundee.  

DECSC also works with local schools supporting Ballumbie and Claypotts Castle Primary Schools and Greenfield and Grove Academy Secondary Schools. They provide after school care three days per week.  They feed the children and use ‘The Nourish Company’, who provide Dundee FC with their food, all paid for by DECSC.  For the past three years, they have also provided morning football, which has resulted in a turnaround in attendance at school, as they take place between 8.30 and 9.15, meaning the kids get a soft start to their school day and breakfast at 9.30am.  

They also recently started their Family Activities Outreach Programme and provide arts and crafts activities on a Saturday morning, with 8 families currently attending, and provide Easter and Summer football camps.        

DECSC fosters an inclusive and comprehensive football environment, and their activities extend to walking football, Dundee East Girls team, women’s recreational football as well as boy’s and men’s Teams. Community Engagement projects include:

• Football Memories: Aimed at connecting with older adults through reminiscence therapy centred around football.
• Working with Local Schools: Developing partnerships with schools to improve self-esteem, improve behaviour and promote healthy lifestyles among learners.
• Learning through Football: Using football as a tool to teach life and academic skills.
• Volunteer Development: Building a volunteer program to support our initiatives and provide personal growth opportunities.
• Diversionary Youth Work: Engaging at-risk youth through football & related activities to divert them from negative influences.
• Working with Leisure and Culture Dundee and Heart, Chest and Stroke Scotland to provide Walking Football opportunities for people at most risk of strokes and heart attacks.                   

In 2023, following funding from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, they undertook significant environmental initiatives by installing new LED floodlights and solar panels, reducing their carbon footprint and operational costs. Funding from Doe Sports, Tayside Contracts, The Scottish Football Partnership and The National Lottery Community Fund allowed them to procure their own pitch maintenance tractor and storage unit, lay a new path into the site and replace both their 11 and 7 aside goals. DECSC has achieved the Good Governance Award Scotland and re-accrediting with the SFA’s Platinum Quality Mark. These objectives are crucial for ensuring operational excellence, transparency, and delivering for the community.

Their impact and reach across the community is enormously impressive and our team spent the day chatting to people who are committed to the continuous success of DECSC.

There is still work to be done though, as the 7 a-side pitch has reached the end of its usable life, and  without replacement, delivery of community activities is at risk. The cost will be around £170,000 so work is underway to raise that money so they can continue their role as a beating heart of the community.  

Read more about our Social Investment support here