As part of my course with SHMU radio, I am required to do one week of work placement, the work placements are chosen for us and for myself, I was given AFC Community Trust.
Monday – On my first day I arrived at 1pm and I was given a quick tour of the office and stadium and was told about what the AFCCT does with the community from Tommy. They run various activities for those over sixty and those suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s, they do this so they can get those involved active and healthy. After that I went to the Aberdeen Sports Village with Tommy to do walking football. This is where you play football but instead of running, you walk, and it’s not about winning or scoring points, it’s mostly about having fun and chatting with other people. I played a few games of it and it really is easy to have fun with it and not worry about winning because everyone is having fun and it’s relaxing.
Tuesday – On my second day, I went to Bon Accord Gardens for a health walk with the over 65’s. We walked around for about an hour and then we stopped by The Foundry to have tea and coffee and snacks. In the afternoon we went back to Pittodrie and then went to Balgownie to help with Soccer School. At the end of it, I helped with the clean up.
Wednesday- On my third day, I helped Tommy out with Technogym, an exercise group for Over 65’s to help keep them in shape. It was quite a bit of fun and easy to do. We did this for about 3 or 4 classes, then we had lunch. After lunch, we put away the Technogym stuff and then went on to seated games with over sixties with dementia, after finishing with that I came back to the office and did some office work.
Thursday – On my fourth day, I went to Torry Sports Centre and helped with the walking football. After that I went to Bramble Brae, a school for children who live in the Northfield area. I got to watch some of the activities, had lunch and then went to Seaton house for some seated exercises with over 65’s and with people living with dementia. We did some co-ordination exercises and some stretching exercises, I then came back to the office and updated my journal. Overall the day was fun and interactive, I got to see another side to AFCCT and all the other things they do within the community.
Friday- On my final day with AFCCT, I started off by doing tasks around the office. After lunch, I met with the marketing team and had a talk with them about some ideas. I went to Balgownie and helped with the football there and sorting out the equipment. At the end, I had a little debriefing about my week, about what I learned, how I enjoyed it and what I plan to do in the future. After that my week with AFCCT was over!
To sum up my experience, I found it very fulfilling and educational, I learned there was more to AFC than just football, that they have various activities going on to help the community and its members with activities that are for everyone from young children to over 65’s to people with Dementia or Alzheimer’s. AFCCT has also taught me ways to help the community and how to get involved. I would highly recommend them to other people.
