Refugee Cricket Project
This project's parent organization is Cricket For Change
It operates in United Kingdom
It uses Cricket
Entered the Sport for Education Award
More about Refugee Cricket Project
Croydon has a unique profile of looked after children. Of around 900 looked after children, 70% are unaccompanied asylum seeking children - 90% are male. At the end of 2011-12, Croydon was looking after approximately 15% of all young, unaccompanied asylum seekers in the UK (source: Croydon Children and Families Partnership 2013). Many of these young refugees suffer from racism and prejudice due to their backgrounds and a lack of understanding and empathy from the community they find themselves.
Our cricket centre is based in Wallington, near Croydon and so provides an ideal location for the RCP. Using cricket as a vehicle, the project provides a safe place where in addition to playing cricket and having fun, the children can relax, congregate, share experiences and feel at home. Cricket brings these children together in a safe and trusting environment where they feel comfortable about discussing their problems and actively seek help and advice from Refugee Council volunteers, where they can gain access to support and services, with an emphasis on accessing education and training.
Engagement in this project starts a proven and successful integration process that links the young participants with local cricket clubs and ultimately, with their local community.