Mental Health & Wellbeing Football

Destiny United FC is a community football club founded in 2023 through The Destiny Project SCIO, and Led by Andrew Stevenson — BBC Radio Scotland Make a Difference Awards 2026, Highly Commended, bringing football and mental wellbeing together in a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment.

We believe football can provide structure, friendship, confidence and a genuine sense of belonging. Whether someone wants to compete, improve their wellbeing, meet new people or simply enjoy football as part of a team, there is a place for them at Destiny United.

We compete in the Scottish Mental Health & Wellbeing League, alongside regular training and opportunities for players to develop both on and off the pitch.

Our purpose is simple: use football to challenge stigma, reduce isolation, improve wellbeing and create a community where people feel they belong.

Destiny United is not a clinical mental health service. We are a football community built around peer support, inclusion and looking out for one another.

Our ambition is to grow responsibly, build strong roots within the communities where we train and play, and create opportunities for future players, volunteers, coaches and young people.

Results matter. People matter more.

Destiny United FC
Football with Purpose.

Destiny United was created because we believe football can be about far more than what happens on the pitch.

We are a football club with a purpose. We want people to enjoy football, improve their physical and mental wellbeing, build friendships and feel part of something. 

Ability isn’t the most important thing here. Turning up, supporting one another and sharing our values is.

Mental health does not discriminate, and neither do we. Whether someone is struggling, rebuilding their confidence, feeling isolated or simply looking for somewhere they belong, Destiny United should be a place where they are welcomed without judgement.

But being inclusive doesn’t mean we don’t have standards.

We want to compete. We want to improve. We want our players to represent the badge properly and for Destiny United to become known as a well-run, respected football club. How we treat teammates, opponents, officials and the communities around us matters just as much as the result.

Our future is about becoming part of two communities.

The first is the football community. We want to build relationships with clubs, leagues, governing bodies and organisations that believe football can be used positively to improve people’s lives.

The second is the community where we train and play. We don’t want to be a club that simply arrives, plays football and leaves. We want to know the people around us, work with local schools, businesses, charities and community organisations, create opportunities and give something meaningful back.

As Destiny United grows, I want to see opportunities for younger players, stronger pathways into our senior team and chances for people to develop through coaching, volunteering and leadership.

There will always be ambition on the pitch. Results matter. But people will always matter more.

If someone becomes fitter, finds friendship, rebuilds their confidence or simply feels less alone because they became part of Destiny United, then this club is doing exactly what it was created to do.

This is football with purpose.

John Tonner
Club Chair & Wellbeing Officer
Destiny United FC

Destiny United started with a simple idea: football can bring people together in a way very few things can.

When we created the club, we didn’t want to build just another football team. We wanted somewhere people could turn up, enjoy the game and feel that they belonged — regardless of ability, background or what might be happening in their lives away from football.

Being part of The Destiny Project gives the club a purpose beyond results. Football allows us to reach people, build friendships, reduce isolation and create opportunities that might not otherwise exist.

What has always mattered to me is that Destiny United remains somewhere people are welcomed and valued. Some will come because they love football. Others might be looking for routine, friendship, confidence or simply somewhere they can be themselves. Both are equally important.

We have ambitions for the club. We want to grow, become established within the communities where we train and play, develop opportunities for younger people and create pathways into playing, coaching, volunteering and leadership.

We also want to compete. We want to improve and we want to be successful. But success at Destiny United will never be measured by a league table alone.

It will also be measured by the friendships created, the confidence rebuilt and the people who found somewhere they belong.

This is more than a football club.
This is Destiny United.

Andrew Stevenson
Co-Founder
Destiny United FC

As Head Coach of Destiny United, my aim is simple: create a team where people feel welcome, supported and able to enjoy their football.

We want to improve, compete and win games. When we step onto the pitch, we represent the club and we want to perform to the best of our ability. But what makes Destiny United different is that football is only part of what we are building.

Training should be somewhere players can work hard, develop their game, build confidence and enjoy being part of a team. Nobody needs to be the best player on the pitch to belong here. What matters is attitude, effort, respect and supporting the people around you.

We have players with different abilities, experiences and reasons for joining the club, and that’s something I see as a strength. My job is to help each player develop from wherever they’re starting.

I want us to build a team that plays for one another, celebrates each other’s progress and responds to setbacks together — both on and off the pitch.

As the club grows, I want to see our football grow with it. Better training, stronger performances, more opportunities for players and a clear identity whenever Destiny United steps onto the pitch.

Compete together. Improve together. Support one another.

That’s what I want a Destiny United team to represent.

Ethan Gillies
Head Coach
Destiny United FC

I joined Destiny United because it offered more than just the opportunity to play football. It gave me the chance to become part of a welcoming and supportive club that genuinely cares about its people.

What I enjoy most is the togetherness within the team. We want to compete and improve, but we also support one another and make sure football remains something people can enjoy.

Alongside playing, I’m proud to serve as Club Photographer. Photography allows me to capture more than goals, tackles and results, it lets me tell the story of Destiny United and the people behind the badge.

Some of the best moments happen away from the action: teammates supporting each other, celebrations, laughter at training and the pride of representing the club.

As Destiny United grows, I hope my photography can document that journey and show the wider community what makes this club different.

I’m proud to play my part in that story, both in front of the camera and behind it.

Edwin Tsang
Club Photographer and Player
Destiny United FC 

Looking for somewhere to play football, meet new people and be part of a team that genuinely looks out for one another?

Destiny United FC welcomes adults aged 17+ who want to get involved in football within a friendly, inclusive and supportive environment.

You do not need to have experienced mental health challenges to join us, and you do not need to be an experienced footballer. Whether you’ve played for years, are returning to football or simply want to give it a go, you are welcome.

We train regularly and compete in the Scottish Mental Health and Wellbeing League, giving players the opportunity to enjoy meaningful, competitive football while being part of something bigger than results.

At Destiny United, we are looking for people who:

• Want to play and enjoy football
• Will support and encourage their teammates
• Share our commitment to inclusion and mental wellbeing
• Want to improve their fitness, confidence or ability
• Can represent Destiny United positively on and off the pitch

Ability isn’t what determines whether you belong here. Attitude does.

We want players to compete, develop and enjoy their football, but nobody should feel that they aren’t good enough to walk through the door.

Whether you’re looking for competitive football, a reason to get active, new friendships or simply somewhere you can feel part of a team, we’d love to hear from you.

Destiny United FC
Football With Purpose

Destiny United FC depends on dedicated volunteers who believe in the power of football, community and positive mental wellbeing.

You don’t need football experience to get involved. Whether you can support coaching and training, help on matchdays, assist with fundraising and events, support our administration or communications, or bring another skill to the club, your time can make a genuine difference.

We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds. What matters most is a willingness to contribute, support others and share the values of Destiny United.

Volunteering with us could involve:

• Supporting training sessions and matchdays
• Helping with fundraising and community events
• Club administration and communications
• Using your existing professional or practical skills
• Developing new skills and experience
• Helping us strengthen our links with the communities where we train and play

Whether you can give a few hours regularly or help at occasional events, there may be a place for you within Destiny United.

As the club grows, we also want to create opportunities for volunteers to develop with us — including coaching, leadership and other roles that help strengthen the club for the future.

Roles involving regulated work will be subject to the appropriate safeguarding and PVG requirements.

Get in touch and tell us a little about yourself, your interests and how you’d like to get involved.

Give your time. Share your skills. Help us make football matter.

Destiny United FC
Football With Purpose.