SK Brann’s Heart Room Finally Open

SK Brann’s Heart Room Finally Open

SK Brann‘s dream of establishing a special room at the Stadium for hospital patients and relatives has become a reality with the opening of Brann’s Heart Room. Together with Haukeland University Hospital and dedicated partners, Brann has managed to create a tailor-made experience at the Stadium that will give sick children energy and good memories, giving three hours away from a difficult everyday life.

“Many come to see a first team match and meet some of the teams players, others will just enjoy themselves in other surroundings, play FIFA and meet others” says Linn Hæreid, head of social responsibility at Brann.

Brann has worked with the children’s clinic at Haukeland for many years and the players have donated donations annually to the children there, visited the hospital or invited patients along to training or games.

Brann’s Heart Room uses what used to be one of the VIP boxes at the stadium and has been specially decorated for the new purpose.  Taking the collaboration with clinic one step further, the Heart Room has already become extremely popular on match days. The guests in Hjertelosjen on the first two home games have been delighted with the more relaxed decoration and atmosphere than the traditional VIP boxes, which is thanks to the work of  well-known street artist Joy (pictured in the box below):

“It was not difficult to enlist Joy when we asked if she would help shape the expression in the dedicated heart loom” praised Linn Hæreid in Brann.

“I like missions for kids with good intentions. We must do what we can to make them thrive” says the artist.

With strong, energetic base colors that symbolise sun and joy, progress, hope and passion, a space packed with energy and playfulness has been established. The art is specially designed for the room and the target group, and there is no doubt that the City of Bergen and the made é Brann have been influences.

Brann’s Heart Room would not of become a reality unless Brann had community-based partners who care, with twelve partners contributing to furnishing and providing the required amenities and supplies for the full season. The children get access to ice cream, candy jars and chewing gum, there are FIFA games and many other activities. The room has bean bags, blankets and is completely different from all other boxes in the stadium.

“We already notice that the children are enjoying themselves. The mood is lighter and the room will hopefully spread joy and unity for many years to come” Linn Hæreid hopes.

Atle Halvorsen from Haukeland Hospital agrees:

“The heart partners create the heart room for the benefit of our children’s patients at Haukeland. Children should not be sick, but when someone is, doctors and nurses and all around the little ones do everything they can to treat, relieve, comfort, and encourage. When we see Brann, together with their  partners, make heart rooms available, this is also part of this treatment,”