Heather's Journey - World Mental Health Day

Heather’s Journey: From Ticket Office to Counselling Young People with Big Hearts

Heart of Midlothian’s official charity, Big Hearts, has long championed the power of football to improve lives across the communities it serves. This World Mental Health Day, the Club is proud to share the story of team member Heather Brown, whose personal journey reflects the values of resilience, compassion and community that lie at the heart of the charity’s work.

Heather first joined Hearts six years ago, working in the ticket office. In 2020, when the pandemic struck, she, like many others, faced challenges with her own mental health. During this time, Heather made brave decision to pursue a new path in counselling, a choice inspired by her own experiences of depression and her determination to support others.

Despite having dyslexia and once believing that higher education was out of reach, Heather enrolled in college before progressing to university, where she successfully completed her counselling studies. This journey eventually brought her back to Tynecastle Park, this time in a new role at Big Hearts where she could help transform the lives of others.

Now a qualified counsellor, Heather works with young people and families across Big Hearts’ programmes, delivered in partnership with other organisations including SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health). Through one-to-one sessions and group support, she helps young participants gain confidence, find their voice, and feel proud of who they are.

Reflecting on her work, Heather explains: “It makes a real difference when young people feel safe enough to speak about their feelings and experiences. Having that space can change the course of their adulthood, helping them to grow into people they can be proud of.”

Creating these safe spaces is central to Big Hearts’ ambition to become a Trauma Informed Organisation. For Heather, this approach is essential: “We need to understand the different ways young people learn and experience the world. When we open our eyes to those differences, we can build an environment where everyone feels accepted.”

From school-based initiatives to community sessions, Heather sees first-hand how Big Hearts provides far more than just activities. Parents frequently share positive feedback about the changes they notice in their children, with many describing the charity as a place their children look forward to attending because they feel safe, supported, and valued.

As Heather puts it: “This is a safe place. You’re not judged here. You can speak about how you feel, and you can have fun being yourself. You can see the weight lift off young people’s shoulders, that’s the best part of what we do.”

Heather’s journey, from the Hearts ticket office at Tynecastle Park to becoming a counsellor with the Club’s charity, is a powerful reminder of the importance of resilience, community, and compassion. On World Mental Health Day, her story serves as an inspiration and underlines the impact that Big Hearts continues to have on lives across Edinburgh and beyond.