Sporting chance for refugee college students

Students at Derby College Group who arrived in the UK over the past year, some as refugees or asylum seekers, have been taking part in an initiative which gives them access to new sporting experiences.

The event, organised by the college in collaboration with Moorways Sports Village, Derby County Community Trust and Derbyshire County Cricket Club, gave 90 students the opportunity to try swimming, and a number of other sports.

The students are all part of the college’s Lexis programme, a full-time course for 16 to 18-year-olds who may arrive in the country during the course of the year or who have relocated during the year.

The aim of the programme is to help students improve their English and gain qualifications to enable them to progress to further education or employment.

The sports event offered Lexis students the chance to experience a number of sporting activities, including swimming, football, cricket and virtual spinning.

Jane Sandall, Lexis mentor at Derby College, said: “During one-to-one sessions with the students, I got to find out about their sporting experiences before they came to the UK.

“While some of the students were avid swimmers – a number had even represented their country of origin at competition level – others had never swum at all.

“Some had also had traumatic experiences around water during their journey to the UK.

“We decided to organise the day to enable the students to try a variety of different sports, including swimming, in a safe and friendly environment.

“The initiative has had such a positive impact. It was wonderful to see the students enjoying themselves, forming new friendships and supporting each other.

“In particular, I was privileged to see so many young ladies have the opportunity to feel relaxed enough to try swimming for the first time.

“To see all the beaming faces was wonderful and the squeals of delight will stay with me forever.

“The feedback we’ve had from everyone involved has been amazing and we are looking forward to arranging further sessions in the future.”