Exercise and support for refugees
The Pitch
Problem statement
Opportunities to regain a sense of physical wellbeing are crucial for refugees and asylum seekers as they strive to create a new life here in the UK. Sport and exercise are especially important for those who have experienced torture or human rights abuses as they rebuild a sense of identity and self-esteem. However, finding ways to exercise can be very difficult because of the many barriers people face: a lack of English; a lack of cultural knowledge about how to get involved; fear of feeling vulnerable in an unknown situation, particularly for women who have experienced sexual violence and, of course a lack of funds.
Solution
Our goal is to offer a package of exercise sessions which will reach 65 asylum seekers and refugees. Each week we will offer: - 1 online gym session with an expert gym instructor who has extensive experience of working with refugees. - 2 online exercise classes - 1 online yoga class - 1 sports discussion group - Practical support and digital credit to allow people to join these classes online - Supported referrals to partner organizations, or direct support, for people taking part in the classes who tell us they need help eg. with finding accommodation, or accessing a food bank. The impact will be that 65 people will access free exercise classes, helping improve their wellbeing.
Why are we best placed to deliver?
Our staff have a deep understanding of the issues people face, our Chief Executive has been with us for 21 years and has worked with more than 100 refugees each year. We have a strong reputation in the refugee community as an organisation which can be trusted. We have strong connections with many partners including funders, both high profile and local, and excellent links in the community in Islington. We have run exercise, yoga and gym classes in the past through a partnership with Mary’s Community Centre in Islington and have seen people’s confidence and happiness grow as a result.
Focus Areas
Delivery plan
Budget breakdown
| Gym teacher to run 4 sessions a week: 1 gym class, 2 exercise classes, 1 sports discussion group = £1440 (£30 per session x 4 = £120 per week. Over 12 weeks: £120 x 12 = £1440). | £1,440 |
| Yoga teacher: £30 per session x 12 weeks = £360 | £360 |
| Contribution towards the Activities and Services Coordinator salary to schedule and manage sessions and support people with digital inclusion so that they can access them: £500 | £500 |
| Contribution towards Reception and Referral Lead’s Salary to assist referrals for people to partner organizations to seek help with issues which arise from the sessions: £500 | £500 |
| Contribution towards digital credit for people to access online classes | £200 |
Beneficiaries
65 people
Expected impact
We expect the impact of this project to be that, over the summer months, 20-30 refugees and asylum seekers will have access to free, high quality sessions every week which will allow them to exercise, get support and lift their sense of physical and emotional wellbeing. In total, we expect to work with 65 unique individuals across a three month period. The project outputs we anticipate based on our experience of providing similar classes will be that: 35 refugees and asylum seekers will access free gym classes 10 refugees and asylum seekers will access free yoga classes 35 refugees and asylum seekers will access exercise classes 20 refugees and asylum seekers will access a sports discussion group 65 refugees and asylum seekers will have the digital credit they need to join classes online. NB. We expect overlap between the classes. The outcome we aim to achieve is that 65 refugees and asylum seekers will feel physically better and empowered to overcome issues they face.
Track record
We have been working with refugees and asylum seekers for 25 years, providing holistic, long-term support. Our approach is not institutional, but human, compassionate and kind. During the pandemic, we worked with 130 people, bringing them safely through with a raft of services including: support packages for food and essentials, expert referrals and advice, digital inclusion and an online timetable of sessions, including exercise classes. We saw how well they worked and want to build on that with the proposed project. We ask you to consider supporting us. It will mean that people who have experienced some of the worst atrocities will be able to rebuild a sense of wellbeing, feel empowered and move on in their lives. For now, let me leave you with the words of one of our clients, Jacob (not his real name) who joined exercise classes we have run in the past: ‘Training has been tremendously helpful for me in so many ways, especially health wise. I can not help but feel good.'