An innovative partnership between Fife’s leading football clubs and sight loss charity Seescape is back for a second season.
The initiative sees the charity join forces with Dunfermline Athletic, East Fife and Raith Rovers to help more fans with visual impairments get to games.
Launched last year, the partnership aims to reduce social isolation by encouraging people who are blind and partially sighted to come along to enjoy the football with friends, family and the wider community.
The three clubs donate season tickets to Seescape to share with fans with sight loss, their carers and volunteers.
They also provide audio commentaries and work with Seescape to encourage fans to have the confidence to come along to the games and support their team.
Seescape helps the clubs with expert advice and support on making the matchday experience more inclusive for people with sight loss.
The partnership was recognised at the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) awards earlier this year for its impact on the community.
It is another way that Seescape, which supports more than 3,500 people every year across Fife, is combating loneliness and isolation for people affected by sight loss.
Being active in the community is an important way to boost people’s mental and physical well-being, and football is a huge part of many people’s social life and connection to the place they live.
Seescape’s Graham Ross, who leads the project, said:
“We are absolutely thrilled the clubs have agreed to continue to work with us and support our clients and volunteers in this way. I think we were all taken aback at how well this was received by those who took advantage of this last year, and we are keen to build on that success to benefit even more people and give them the confidence to get out of the house and be part of something at the heart of their communities. Some of the feedback we have had about the difference it has made has been very moving, and it is wonderful to experience the impact it is having on the lives of the people we work for.”
Drew Main, supporters liaison officer at Dunfermline Athletic, said:
“We are determined to make coming along to our home games as inclusive as possible and to make everyone feel welcomed and supported. The partnership has not only been brilliant for our own fans, giving them the encouragement to come to matches, but also for the visiting supporters. We leaned on Seescape’s expertise to make our facilities better for everyone. We have seen a huge increase in the use of our audio commentary service, particularly and are only too keen to continue to build on what we have achieved by working together in this way.”
Stephen Mill, East Fife’s supporters liaison officer, said:
“East Fife Football Club are delighted to continue our partnership with Seescape for season 2025-26, providing a season ticket for the use of service users and an accompanying person, together with the availability of audio-descriptive commentary during matches. We were heartened by the response the initiative got last year and are keen to welcome more visually impaired fans along to matches.”
Raith Rovers’ disability access officer, Evelyn Hood, said:
“We very much enjoyed being part of such a successful partnership last season and had no hesitation in agreeing to continue with it again for this one. We are always striving to make things better for our fans and the feedback we have had from those who attended matches has been quite touching at times. Football is great at bringing people together, and it’s really heartening that this partnership has helped spread a bit of joy and togetherness, not just for our supporters but those of our Fife neighbours too.”
For details of how to access these tickets or for information on how to become a Seescape volunteer, please contact graham.ross@seescape.org.uk.
