Young Greenwich in conjunction with The Royal Borough of Greenwich empowers Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Minors through a Vital Life Skills Programme

Having been approached by The Royal Borough of Greenwich, Young Greenwich was invited to launch a transformative project designed for unaccompanied minors seeking asylum. Following further collaboration, the project, which was also generously funded by the Royal Borough of Greenwich, took place during the week of August 5th.

The initiative provided a unique opportunity for young individuals seeking asylum to develop essential social skills and adapt to their new environment. Many of the participants have faced significant hardships on their journey, and the programme enabled them to access the tools and support needed during this challenging period in their lives. Throughout the week, young people received crucial guidance and mentoring, helping them adjust to life in the UK while also learning valuable new skills.

A key component of the programme was ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) tutoring, which was tailored to help participants improve their English fluency. This not only prepared them for higher education but also enhanced their communication skills and overall understanding of their new surroundings.

In addition to language support, the programme featured hands-on cooking sessions where participants tried out new recipes. They learned how to prepare a variety of dishes, including kebabs, meatballs, and fish & chips. These sessions equipped them with practical skills they could use in their daily lives.

Physical activity was also a significant focus, with sports sessions such as football and ping pong designed to keep the young people active and engaged. The activities not only helped them build physical fitness but also provided a fun, interactive way to bond with their peers.

The impact of this programme was significant, offering participants life skills that would benefit them long after the week had ended. Many of the young people are now on the path to higher education, with some even set to study at the University of Greenwich or various colleges.

Ezekiel Conteh, CACT Employability Officer, stated, “Programmes like this are amazing to deliver and support young people. I have seen such a positive improvement from the young people in the space of a week."

The feedback from the young people was overwhelmingly positive, with all participants expressing a desire to take part in future programmes, adding that they had made new friends and tried new activities. This enthusiastic response is a testament to the success of the initiative and the enjoyment experienced throughout the week.

"This event has been really heartwarming to see the young people engaged and enjoying the activities when I popped by to visit.  Being able to offer this programme has been great to show how inclusive RBG are and how welcoming we are to our Unaccompanied Minors cohort"  said Julie McMahon, Post 16/UASC Officer & Intervention Co-ordinator, RBG

We extend our thanks to the Royal Borough of Greenwich for initiating, helping to organise, and funding this much-needed programme, and to all the staff who played a crucial role in engaging and supporting these young people. We look forward to working in collaboration with the Royal Borough of Greenwich in the future, delivering more projects to continue supporting young migrants in rebuilding their lives in the UK.