A £10,000 grant from the Merchants House is helping keep young people in Paisley Fit & Fed

Fit & Fed is a programme of holiday camps for children and young people in Paisley, delivered by the St Mirren Foundation. It has already provided food and fitness fun for 5,000 youngsters this year.  

Each day participants have access to 6 hours of high quality sports coaching and the opportunity to try out a range of other positive activities which aim to help improve physical and mental health and well-being, as well as to encourage the children and young people to develop their confidence and communication skills.

All children and young people attending Fit & Fed are provided with:

• A healthy and nutritious main meal as well as snacks and drinks each day
• Fun games and sporting activities, delivered by the Foundation coaches.
• Workshops around key emerging issues for the children and young people – including healthy lifestyles, decision making and visits from professionals such as the Police, Fire Brigade and third sector organisations.
• A special visit from professional football players from St Mirren Women’s team and Men’s First team.

Merchants House Director’s visit the Fit & Fed programme

Following last year’s grant award, Merchants House Directors were recently invited along to experience the programme in operation. 

Not only did they hear about the work of the St Mirren Foundation from CEO Gayle Brannigan, they were able to meet and speak with coaches, staff, counsellors and, of course, the young people enjoying football based games (one Director was brave enough to take a penalty!).  

Gayle explained the Foundation’s approach to supporting the local community and how Fit and Fed is just one of their programmes which aims to provide physical, mental and financial health support to all of the community, young and not so young.

St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation is the official charity of St Mirren Football Club, based within The SMiSA Stadium, Paisley. The Foundation is committed to implementing positive change in the community they serve, providing a brighter and more hopeful future. 

Their work supports people of all ages, capabilities and backgrounds as they are entirely inclusive and fully aware, post pandemic, of the need now more than ever to help empower people and rebuild more resilient and resourceful communities. 

Find out more about Merchants House grants on our website. If you would like to support us in making a difference to the lives of people across Glasgow and the West of Scotland, why not consider hiring our venue for an event? As a not-for-profit organisation, all proceeds go to our charitable work.