Around 100 children, young people and family members came together in Inverness this week for the first Home, Heart and Hoolie event, celebrating inclusion, wellbeing and community spirit through a fun filled afternoon inspired by the Highland Games.
Held at the Northern Meeting Park on 28 July, the invitation only event was organised by The Highland Council in partnership with High Life Highland and supported through sportscotland’s Summer of Sport programme.
The event welcomed care experienced children and young people, young carers, children and young people with disabilities and additional support needs, minority ethnic families, unaccompanied asylum seeking young people and families experiencing poverty, social isolation or other vulnerabilities.
Designed to remove barriers to participation, the event gave families the chance to enjoy free activities, meet new people and strengthen community connections in a welcoming and supportive environment.
The programme included traditional Highland Games activities such as caber tossing, welly wanging and tug of war, alongside Highland dancing, inflatable attractions, accessible games and educational displays from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and a supervised opportunity to learn about ferrets.
Food and refreshments were provided throughout the afternoon while community organisations and partner agencies shared information about the support available to families across the Highlands.
Chair of The Highland Council’s Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Committee, Councillor David Fraser, said:
“I was delighted that around 100 participants took part in the Home, Heart & Hoolie celebration.
“The event focussed on inclusion, community spirit and the importance of creating opportunities for all children, young people and families to come together, have fun and make lasting memories.
“All those who took part had the opportunity to enjoy the activities, build new friendships and take part in an event designed to ensure everyone felt welcome and included.
“I would like to sincerely thank all of the organisers, volunteers, High Life Highland, sportscotland and our many partners whose commitment and hard work made the day such a success.
“I would also like to thank every child, young person and family who attended and helped create such a positive, friendly and enjoyable atmosphere.
“This event demonstrated the real impact that partnership working can have in supporting wellbeing, reducing isolation and strengthening communities across Highland, and I hope Home, Heart & Hoolie will continue to grow as an annual celebration of inclusion.”
Michael Boylan, Chair of the Board of Directors for High Life Highland, said:
“Home, Heart and Hoolie is exactly the sort of activity that Summer of Sport is all about, bringing children, families and carers together to have fun while taking part in sport and physical activity.
“Summer of Sport is already having a really positive impact across the region by removing barriers to participation, helping individuals and groups take part in activities they might not normally be able to access, training more staff and volunteers and allowing High Life Highland and The Highland Council to really expand our offerings this summer and beyond.”
Organisers hope the success of the inaugural event will see Home, Heart and Hoolie become an annual celebration, continuing to bring communities together while ensuring children, young people and families across the Highlands have opportunities to connect, participate and thrive.
