Barnet Asylum Football Team
The Pitch
Problem statement
PAB is based in two hotels in Barnet, by Barnet Council to assist asylum seekers who have been dispersed to our borough. The figures can range from 280 to 330 on a weekly basis. These asylum seekers have been staying in a room for months not being able to socialise, exercise, and integrate into our community, due to the lockdowns. This has affected their mental health as well as their physical wellbeing. They have been under immense and anxiety stress due to the journey they took to arrive at this country and apply for asylum and sanctuary. Many have not seen their families in months or even years. The formation of a football team will help their mental and physical health tremendously.
Solution
Formation of a football team. We have noticed that we have an asylum seeker who was a former football coach in his country before fleeing to the UK. He has agreed to lead the project with two of our male staff who are 27 and 19 years of age and the asylum seekers have built a friendly relationship with them. The two staff will form a team from the two hotels and start the project two days/afternoons a week. PAB has carried out a survey in the two hotels and discovered that many are interested to join the team and even those who will not be participating for various reasons, want to join in as spectators on the day.
Why are we best placed to deliver?
PAB has been based in two hotels in Barnet by Barnet Council since December 2020. We know what their needs are and learnt over time of various ways to relieve those needs. At the same time, they know our Team and trust has been built between us. Gathering people together to do sports activities brings the individuals that are in the same hotel but for various reasons not even communicate with one another (cultural, language, religion) closer, even if you cannot speak the same language. Example: PAB purchased a guitar for the asylum seekers to share and enjoy music. Not only individuals have shown their talent, but it has brought various nationalitie together and kept them occupied for hours.
Focus Areas
Delivery plan
Budget breakdown
| Field hire | £936 |
| Football trainers x 22 | £504 |
| Two Trainers | £1,560 |
Beneficiaries
150 people
Expected impact
Help with the wellbeing and mental and physical help of asylum seekers and refugees. It promotes integration and uplifts their spirt.
Track record
Barnet Open Air Event, in which PAB was one of the collaborating charities in Barnet. PAB presented with a 2.30 hour slot to complete a program. We arranged for women refugee artists to exhibit their artwork, pottery and photographs. PAB also arranged and presented traditional live music; santoor, daff as well as guitar, whilst other asylum seekers, as well as members of the local community, danced and enjoyed a picnic. The Event was a great success and Barnet has released video footage on social media. The asylum seekers danced, played music, sang and enjoyed the day tremendously. A fabulous success in every sense of the word.