Run group for young refugees and asylum seekers meeting throughout the summer holidays –

• Middleton Bike Park
• Every Thursday at 11am

Here at Run Leeds, we do love a ‘run meet’. I particularly enjoyed catching up with Michael, Henock, Temesgen and Bereket for a trail run around Middleton Woods, (and if I slowed them down, they were far too polite to say so).

Michael, who in his previous life has some military background, and was a truck driver, is now a support worker for My Place (Yorkshire) This is an organisation that offers high quality housing and support for young people. My Place was founded by Michael’s wife Abbie and her sister Lisa.

On many occasions Abbie and Lisa’s experience as social care practitioners was one of disappointment. The lack of good quality housing, with the right level of support on offer to vulnerable young people was often lacking.  My Place (Yorkshire) now has eight properties, with the ninth one being renovated as you read this! They are a committed, nurturing, and experienced staff team, and a young people’s panel. Principally, they have supported and housed a number of unaccompanied asylum seekers aged 16+, many who have come from Eritrea, a country in the Horn of Africa.

The unaccompanied children that arrived here in Leeds over a year ago, seeking asylum, alone and frightened, have come a long way thanks to the support of My Place (Yorkshire) The boys are learning English alongside other subjects at their local college and talked about their future plans to work in Science and IT when qualified.

My Place (Yorkshire) offers way more than a roof over their heads it has provided a nurturing and a secure and safe home, creating a safe space for vulnerable young people who need it most. Birthdays are celebrated, a community edible garden has been built and planted up by all 18 of the young people currently placed. And encouraging sport has played a vital part in their emotional well-being and a real sense of belonging.

As a keen runner and triathlete, himself, Michael took it upon himself to set up an informal running group with the lads. One which he’d like to open to more young people in similar circumstances. Michael understands the huge health benefits of sport, not just physically, but also mentally. When life has thrown chaos, fear, isolation, and upheaval your way, (an experience all too familiar for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children [UASC) ), a running group can provide a release. Training can provide a focus, some structure, and race events can create a feeling of pride and being part of something – we all know how powerful that can be.

Michael has introduced these young people not just to trail running, race events and the many beauty spots of Yorkshire.  But he has also introduced them to the training, discipline, and competition of triathlons. Teaching life-long confidence and new skills.

All this kit and event entries doesn’t come cheap though, and the Leeds Running Community has been great in donating trainers and essentials. They are growing lads though! So, if you can donate some kit or race places, then please do get in touch through the Run Leeds website. You can also donate kit through the excellent initiative called Zero Waste Leeds – see link here.

When I chatted to Henock, Temesgen and Bereket they said they feel settled and happy in Leeds and despite missing family from their native home. When I asked how they felt about My Place and the staff team the wide grins and thumbs up said it all! Asking the boys how running makes them feel, their response said so much… ‘free and proud’.

On Saturday morning at 9am they will probably be found doing parkrun. Embracing life, opportunities and making a positive contribution. We should be proud that Leeds as a City of Sanctuary has enabled this, and will continue to welcome Refugees and those seeking asylum. Like many others who have made Britain their home, and not necessarily at first, through choice. From Sir Mo Farah Olympic GB gold medallist and refugee**, to Mebrahtom Keflezighi the Olympic Marathon silver medallist, and Eritrean refugee to the US. We should be proud of our diverse heritage and continue to welcome those who need refuge.

What My Place (Yorkshire) are doing is a great example of how we all should be, in unlocking the potential of young people, refugees and asylum seekers.

It seems fitting to end this article with the words of Sir Mo Farah, a refugee to the UK, who said… “Sport brings people together, irrespective of race, religion or nationality.”

 

** Since this article was written there has been a BBC documentary about Mo Farah, and how he was a victim of child human trafficking. For more information please see link below

Sir Mo Farah reveals he was trafficked to the UK as a child – BBC News

 

This news story is taken from a blog entitled ‘Running Free’ by Victoria Cusack.

You can read the full blog at the Run Leeds website

 

Run Leeds