Refugee children’s lives are full of instability, uncertainty, and anxiety. Playing a sport they love in the company of friends is a rare opportunity. It gives them the chance to relax and forget about the challenges they face. This is what the Refugee Cricket Project provides. For many, it has become their surrogate family in a country where they have no-one else.
The Refugee Cricket Project offers both weekly cricket sessions and advice to participants, with the latter available five days a week. As well as year-round cricket coaching, we organise fixtures against opposition teams, including the MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club). We also arrange for young cricketers to play in local clubs and take part in an annual summer tour outside London, hosted by Cheltenham College.
Support and advice
Alongside cricket, the support and advice we provide to children throughout the week in relation to their asylum claims and welfare needs is extensive. We advise them about processes and accompany clients to meetings with solicitors and social workers at which we advocate on their behalf. We regularly attend asylum appeal hearings at which we often give evidence. We also provide support with a range of other issues such as difficulties at their foster placements, and securing places in schools or colleges.
We also offer a range of activities designed to support children and young people’s wellbeing and development. This includes support with homework, preparing communal meals, access to further and higher education, using the internet and social media safely, form completion and safety in the streets.
147
attended our project in 2017/1835
young refugees play cricket each week500
approx. 500 advice and advocacy sessions were delivered in 2017/18Watch 'Second Innings', a film about our project
Support our work
You can help young people rebuild their lives by making a donation or volunteering on one of our projects.
Get support
If you work with unaccompanied refugee children and want to make a referral to our services, get in touch using the details below.