Connecting communities through sport

January 2023
Images © Big Leaf Foundation
To celebrate Refugee Week 2022 we hosted a week-long art installation in the centre of Guildford. The theme of Refugee Week 2022 was 'Healing.' You can view our whole art installation here. 

Healing is about the possibility of starting again. Nobody understands this better than those who have had to flee their homes, are away from their families and have to build new lives alone and in new and foreign places.
Football represents a common language, where words are not as important as the action on the field and where there is a sense of mutual understanding and respect between players. 

We have seen first-hand the positive impact sport has on mental wellbeing, supporting young people to develop coping mechanisms for trauma and building friendships and connection.

Our weekly football sessions are often the most well attended of all our projects. We asked some of the young people what football means to them.

Listen to their responses.