Edinburgh Hearts legend Gary Mackay helps tackle youth anti-social behaviour

Gary Mackay runs free Friday evening football sessions at Tynecastle Park that have supported more than 38 at-risk young people since June 2024, and Police Scotland reports local reductions in youth-related call-outs.

Gary Mackay, a former Hearts captain and Scotland international, is leading weekly Friday night football activities at Tynecastle Park aimed at young people in south-west Edinburgh. The sessions began in June 2024 and are run through the club’s charity, Big Hearts Community Trust. Organisers say the programme provides a free, structured option on Friday evenings when routine can fall away. Big Hearts Day on February 21 will mark the charity’s tenth year and highlight the club’s community work. Key facts: - The programme runs every Friday evening from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at The Shed, Wheatfield Stand, Tynecastle Park and is called Friday Night Lights. - Sessions are funded by Big Hearts Community Trust and have supported more than 38 at-risk young people since launching, with an average weekly attendance of 10 to 15. - Police Scotland reports a local reduction in youth-related call-outs and, based on conversations with head teachers and school link officers, fewer recorded vulnerabilities linked to criminality and improved behaviour in schools. - The programme supports young people aged 13 to 18 from communities facing high levels of deprivation, youth crime and school disengagement. - In the first year, organisers reported that more than 90% of participants were involved in, or at risk of, youth crime and that 87.5% reported improved behaviour since attending. - Police officers join the sessions to take part rather than to lecture, and organisers say many participants leave smiling after each session. Summary: Organisers describe the programme as providing a safe, welcoming space at a time when some young people say they would otherwise be on the streets, and local agencies report improvements in related measures. Big Hearts Day on February 21 will draw attention to the charity’s community programmes and organisers have appealed for donations to extend reach.