Aberdeen FC Community Trust’s Steven Sweeney has this week been placed in the running for a 2016 Scottish Charity Award.

Steven has been nominated in the Exceptional Employee category for the work that he has carried out at Aberdeen FC’s partner charity as Senior SFA Community Coach over the past few years.

In his role Steven has helped drive the growth of AFCCT as a community asset since July 2014. In the period of time since then participant numbers have doubled, participations have trebled and employment opportunities have quadrupled.

As part of AFCCT’s management team Steven has helped to make this growth possible through innovative partnership approaches and collaborations with key local organisations and groups. This approach has led to Aberdeen FC being named as the ‘Best Professional Football Club in the Community’ at the Scottish FA Grassroots Awards in September 2015.

Organised by Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), the Awards, which are free to enter, celebrate the life-changing work of charities, community groups and individuals dedicated to making Scotland a better place to live.

When asked about his nomination, Steven said, “I take pride in the fact that at Aberdeen FC Community Trust we have proven that our national sport is about much more than the 90 minutes on the pitch.

“We have put Aberdeen FC back at the heart of our community, which is where every football club should belong. I approach my work every day with real enthusiasm, because I know the sort of life-changing impact we have had, and can continue to have throughout the North East.

“It is an honour to be shortlisted for this award and every vote will be gratefully received.”

Vote for Steven Sweeney now

Martin Sime, Chief Executive, SCVO, said:

“Year after year Scottish charities and voluntary organisations prove themselves to be beacons for creativity, tenacity and innovation. This year’s Scottish Charity Awards finalists demonstrate these qualities in abundance and are shining examples of how people can work together to make Scotland a better place.”

All shortlisted entries will also compete for the People’s Choice Award which will be decided by the public via online voting.

The full shortlist includes:

Charity of the year

•    Saheliya
•    The Prince’s Trust Scotland
•    Scottish Refugee Council
•    Glasgow Bike Station (Glasgow Bike Shed Ltd)

Celebrating communities

•    Shazam Theatre Company
•    The Southside Association
•    Woodlands Community Development Trust
•    Friends of Oban Community Playpark
•    South Seeds

Charity champion

•    Sarah Winckless – Scottish Huntingtons Association
•    Jeremy Roebuck – Grow Movement
•    Gordon Aikman MND Scotland
•    Lucy Lintott MND Scotland
•    Petra McMillan – Marie Curie

Exceptional employee

•    Chris Martin – Callander Youth Project Trust
•    Steven Sweeney – Aberdeen FC Community Trust
•    Claire Gillies – Penicuik YMCA-YWCA
•    Dorothy Buchanan – Citizens Advice Scotland

Cracking campaign

•    R:evolve Recycle – Lightburn Elderly Association Project (LEAP)
•    The Power of ‘Are you Okay?’ – See Me
•    Disabled Access Day – Euan’s Guide
•    Stop the Bus – ENABLE Scotland
•    Make Renting Right – Shelter Scotland

Perfect partnership

•    Aberdeen FC Community Trust and Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership
•    Social Investment Scotland and Asda
•    The National Autistic Society and Harper Macleod LLP
•    Tullochan and West Dunbartonshire Council Education Services Health
•    Social Care Alliance (Scotland) and GPs at the Deep End
•    Macmillan Cancer Support and Glasgow Life

Digital dynamo

•    John Wheatley Learning Network
•    The Libertie Project Limited
•    Silver City Surfers
•    Euan’s Guide
•    Quarriers (Go4IT Project)