Aberdeen Football Club continued their excellent relationship with Children’s Parliament by hosting an event for the city’s young Imagineers this past month. The theme of the event was finding out what children needed to be healthy, happy and safe and school, home and in the community. In partnership with Aberdeen City Council, pupils from schools around the city came together under one banner, “Imagining Aberdeen”.

Colin Morrison from Children’s Parliament spoke more about the project. “2018 is the year of Young People – and the Imagineers want that to include children too. They love their city, and their football club, and it was a great experience for them to be able to deliver the workshop they designed at Pittodrie.”

Staff from the club were on hand to support the children, although it was a joint effort to produce their vision of how the children want to feel healthy, happy and safe. At the session adults from many different sports and community groups learned more about the big ideas that the children want to share – none are more important than adults developing relationships with children that are based on human dignity, empathy, kindness and trust. The Imagineers, aged 9-12 years have so far influenced how children’s services and education are planned and now their goal is to have a bigger impact on the city they call home, with events such as the one at Pittodrie acting as the foundation for keeping the adults informed on the children’s views.

Colin explained “The Club does an immense amount of work in the community and we are delighted to connect the Imagineers with our shared efforts to make Aberdeen a City that nurtures and cares for its youngest citizens”.

The children were also treated to a surprise as Dons first team players Joe Lewis and Michael Devlin paid a visit to the event and the guys were happy to answer questions, sign autographs and pose for pictures.

Richard Taylor, AFC Safeguarding Officer said “I know that Joe and Mikey had given up their own time to be there and I really must thank them for the time they spent with us and the many autographs which were supplied to the Imagineers and quite a few of the adult participants.

“It’s very reassuring to see so many professionals, from the many sports sectors active in the North East of Scotland, actively participating in an extremely worthwhile exercise.

“The many staff and volunteers at our own Club and Trust who have taken part have thoroughly enjoyed the interaction with the Imagineers and all will have benefited from the content and enthusiasm everyone has shown.

Richard was also quick to point to the work and dedication from the Imagineers on the project. “The Imagineers themselves have excelled in their tasks today. There has been an excellent mix of people here and their understanding of children’s needs and wishes will have been broadened significantly.

“I hope that we can all continue to support Colin and his team in the future as they continue to deliver such excellent projects. “