Supporting refugees through the Bedales Discovery Day
As part of the South Downs Youth Discovery Project, a group of young people who have come to the UK alone and are in the care of the local authority enjoyed a day of activities at Bedales.
The Bedales Discovery day was designed to provide opportunities for participants to connect with friends and meet new people, whilst enjoying physical and social activities together. The programme involved walking tours of the school estate to meet and feed the farm animals, playing indoor sports, and country craft Christmas cooking in the Bedales bakehouse.
Organised by the Rural Refugee Network (RRN), the charity with expertise in supporting refugee families to settle in East Hampshire and Havant, the South Downs Youth Discovery Project aims to help participants experience and understand the local environment and to feel more confident, empowered and settled. The project has involved monthly activity days and a three-day residential at the Sustainability Centre, East Meon, Hampshire.
Kath Lawrence, RRN Trustee said:
“The Rural Refugee Network’s partnership with Bedales has provided valuable logistical support that enabled the project to explore the South Downs National Park. Saturday’s visit to Bedales was such a fabulous day. The opportunity for the young people to get the know Bedales’ students playing sport and lunching together was very valuable. The young people enjoyed interacting with Bedales’ farm animals and cooking festive bakes. We are looking forward to further activities together in 2023.”
Will Goldsmith, Head of Bedales, commented:
“It was very rewarding for us to provide new experiences and make a difference to the lives of young people whose circumstances mean they are alone in the UK without their families. We really value this partnership work with the RRN, and were delighted to provide an opportunity for these young people to try out new activities around the Bedales estate, working alongside and getting to know our students and staff.”
Bedales has a track record of working with the RRN on volunteering, fundraising and education bursaries. Earlier this year, Bedales held a refugee-focussed community day with the RRN which resulted in fundraising more than £50,000 for the charity.
There is more information about the Bedales refugee day and South Downs Youth Discovery Project on the Schools Together website here.