The idea
A 20-week football programme for asylum seekers new to Walsall and more established refugees who would like to be more active, the project delivers weekly football sessions with training, alongside English lessons, volunteering opportunities and the chance to relax and socialise in a friendly environment. All of these project strands supports participants with their health and well-being.
The pilot project was a resounding success! Alongside improved well-being, football provided the backdrop for a take up in local college English lessons with a formal qualification, community involvement and a sense of pride of what can be achieved when working in partnership.
What we'll deliver
- 20 Football Sessions at Walsall FC
- 20 ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) sessions
- 20 Social sessions for further engagement
- Pathways at every session to further ESOL enrollment at college
- Pathways at 10 sessions to explore participant volunteer opportunities
Why it's a great idea
This programme is an extension of a pilot that has already taken place, with additional elements such as volunteering opportunities and time to socialise . The benefits were vast hence seeking funds to continue to run the project, with increased opportunities and an additional eligible co-hort.
Benefits are:
Improved well being
Informal and formal education opportunities
Volunteering opportunities
Community cohesion
Partnership working across local organisations
The Head of Insight, Health and Wellbeing at Active Black
Country, said of the pilot: “It was great to see those talking part having fun and making new connections. Many of these people have fled their home country and can feel extremely lonely and isolated in a new country where some of them don’t speak the language. Providing them with an opportunity to get some physical activity and learn some English so they can build relationships and have positive social interactions is really important.
Steps to get it done
- Setting dates for foorball sessions
- Recruting participants
- Creating Volunteer Opportunities
- Creating Well Being metrics
- Creating ESOL informal sessions
- Organising ESOL pathways
Feedback from the sessions has been positive with one participant
saying, “The first months when I became a refuge in this country, I
felt lonely and depressed but since I started playing football in this
stadium, it affected my whole feelings. It made me more friends and
start new relationships, and it also made me feel better. I owe this to
your kindness and efforts.”
