We’ve been working in partnership with Aston Villa Foundation and St Chad’s Sanctuary to support refugees and people seeking asylum in Birmingham. Through English language sessions and sport provision, the project aims to support the integration of individuals into life in the UK. Over the last few months, over 30 people have attended the programme from 11 different countries!
The first term of the project focused on supporting men and consisted of firstly an hour of conversational English ran by Birmingham Settlement, followed by an hour of football within the Aston Villa Academy pitch ran by Aston Villa Foundation staff. St Chad’s Sanctuary have been brilliant in signposting and bringing refugees and people seeking asylum over to Villa Park where the staff from Settlement & AV Foundation take over.
The project is funded by Amnesty International who aim to welcome newly arrived communities and help them improve their English skills whilst playing sport.
