The idea
We believe that football offers great opportunities for community building, integration, heath and wellbeing for all. Its' more that just a game - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JM_DIO1695A
We also believe there should be no barriers to individuals accessing sport.
Our project is quite simple and straightforward.
We can offer a safe space for sanctuary seekers to come and play football for an hourly session at New College Huddersfield on a Floodlit 3G football pitch.
Initially we will be able to offer up to 24 places per week for young men over the age of 16. If the project is successful we will look to extend the opportunties to under 16's as well as women and girls.
We have extensive experience in project delivery and know the benefits that a project like this will bring to all the participants in terms of shared skills, understanding and mutual respect.
What we'll deliver
- Bus fares for participants
- Sports equipment
- Project management
- High level coaching and training
- Kit for participants
Why it's a great idea
The benefits of our project will be wide ranging:-
a) provide a healthy environment to meet others;
b) develop and strengthen community links and language skills;
c) foster a sense of inclusion and improve self esteem;
d) improve overall physical and mental health and well-being;
e) improve fitness and skills and offer opportunities to become involved in local football teams;
g) Westend Community Champions sports coaches and others involved in the project will gain knowledge and understanding of the lived experience of sanctuary seekers in the UK;
f) develop further partnership and voluntary opportunities for the partner organisations and all the individuals involved in the project. The Westend JC/Trillz partnership is already very active in the local community and last year linked with Sanctuary Kirklees providing funding to deliver food, Christmas presents, clothing, educational items to local sanctuary seekers. This project will strengthen and build upon these links.
Steps to get it done
- Contact Jane Wood from Sanctuary and inform her of new opportunities for sanctuary seekers.
- Contact Andy Helliwell Faith and Community Integration Manager at Kirklees to inform him of planned work.
- Organise a time slot for sanctuary seekers to play.
- Organise volunteers to help oversee the project.
- Purchase sports equipment required.
- Devise a system for payment of bus fares to enable Sanctuary seekers to attend.
- Invite sanctuary seekers to sessions
- Sanctuary seekers to sign up to Westend JFC and become members. Standards of behaviour explained
- Santuary seekers to enjoy playing football with friends
Sanctuary Kirklees have introduced some of their members who have personal experience of the benefits that football can bring to people who are feeling lost and disorientated having left, in many cases lost their homes, family and friends.
Westend JFC has a voice and influence group. This group is overseen by Professional Youth Workers and adult Volunteer Sports Coaches.
The group is called the Westend Communty Champions.
The Community Champions stated they would like to develop their sports coaching skills and also referee. They also stated they want to support local charities.
We see this as an excellent opportunity to bring these groups together for mutual benefit.
The project will allow young volunteers to develop communication, coaching and refereeing skills. Also organisational skills in supporting to run the project. This will improve 'volunteers' supporting the project when applying for jobs or enhance their education for sports qualification and community work.
