Just last week we were delighted to announce that Aberdeen FC Community Trust's Dementia Friendly Programme was being considered for a major European honour after being shortlisted for this year's European Club Association (ECA) Best Community & Social Responsibility Programme Award.

Aberdeen FC's partner charity earned the nomination through the outstanding work that has been carried out with over 65's throughout Aberdeen City & Shire through the Dementia Friendly Programme.

The Dons have of course achieved success on the pitch in Europe being the only Scottish club to have won two European trophies and this type of European recognition is further evidence of the progress that has been made off the pitch by AFCCT since being registered as a charity in 2014.

An independent panel selected the top ten nominees with PSV Eindhoven of The Netherlands eventually chosen as the winner at the award ceremony earlier this week for their “PSV United” programme.

Despite missing out on the award AFCCT's Chief Executive Ally Prockter was keen to outline just what this nomination means for Aberdeen FC’s partner charity, “When we were nominated for the award I said that this was the equivalent of being in the latter stages of a European competition. We were over in Eindhoven earlier this year and got to see what PSV have to offer and they are very worthy winners.

“Ahead of the award ceremony it was made clear that we had been selected in the top four, alongside PSV, AC Milan and Villarreal. To continue the football analogy, for us it’s like making the Semi-Final of the Champions League alongside these famous European clubs!

“It’s a fantastic achievement with the number of clubs throughout Europe, particularly when you consider the scale and size of many of them. The last three winners of the award have been Real Madrid, Arsenal and now PSV, so to be on the same stage as them is something that supporters and people in the North East should be proud of.”

The Dementia Friendly Programme has been delivered by AFCCT along with key partners including Life Changes Trust and Alzheimer's Scotland, Aberdeen Sports Village, Sport Aberdeen and the Aberdeen City Council Health and Wellbeing Team.

With extensive support from Life Changes Trust, AFCCT has attempted to create an environment suitable for those living with dementia to become involved in health and wellbeing programmes through a person-centred, city-wide partnership approach for people living with dementia.

AFCCT has also been able to develop its own programmes into Dementia Friendly Wellbeing Initiatives and as a result events have been held at Pittodrie Stadium, focused on engaging those living with dementia socially and mentally in a safe and calming atmosphere.

Recognition at continental level follows on from AFCCT being named as the Best Professional Club in the Community at the 2015 Scottish FA Grassroots Awards.

Aberdeen FC Community Trust is changing lives for the better and strives to provide support and opportunity to everyone they can across North East Communities.

Aberdeen FC Community Trust is changing lives for the better and strives to provide support and opportunity to everyone they can across North East Communities.