28/09/2024
Football clubs are at the heart of many communities - they unite people on and off the pitch and give many a sense of belonging.
Refugee Support Europe opened its first UK Dignity Centre in Bournemouth in November 2023. In February 2024 the 'Dignity Football League' was formed. Founded by Player Coach Derick Ajang Ewang (who also plays for Bournemouth ‘Poppies’). Dignity FC is now looking to up its game and is now in the process of affiliating with Hampshire FA. To make this happen Dignity FC need your support! Dignity Football Club is made up of a group of talented and committed male asylum seekers and refugees.
Most of our players are still in the process of seeking asylum in the UK with access to an allowance of only £8.86 a week so are not able to pay membership or subscription fees, let alone buy football boots. A report published in June 2024 by the Helen Bamber Foundation (HBF) and Asylum Aid describes how living in hotels has a significantly negative impact on asylum seekers' mental health and overall quality of life. When the use of hotels was originally introduced, they were meant to be a temporary 'contingency' measure. However, hotel accommodation has now almost become the norm, with many people now spending a very long time housed in full-board hotels. In some cases, people have lived for years in these hotels.
Unable to work, sharing cramped rooms with strangers, unable to cook for themselves or eat culturally familiar foods and instead being forced to rely on three processed meals a day at best. With no access to money or gym facilities Dignity FC players have to find ways to exercise despite the many barriers they face i.e. a lack of English, a lack of knowledge of facilities in the local area, stress, poverty and the temporary nature of living in an
unfamiliar place.
Football helps people to find themselves again and offers a much needed lifeline.
Our Team of 20+ players meet in Kings Park, Boscombe three times a week to train and play together. This provides an opportunity for these young men to get out of their hotel rooms, boost their mental health and connect with the local community. Our players
represent at least 13 different countries including Sudan, Eritrea and Afghanistan. Many have played football at a professional level in their home countries and/or have the skills and passion to play at a high level in the UK.
Dignity FC need funding & sponsorship to help cover training for our volunteer coaches, FA fees, pitch hire, kit and equipment. We also need to raise essential funds to allow the Club to buy a set of portable full-size goals, kit, football boots, First Aid equipment, water bottles and training equipment. The Club is unable to access goals in Kings Park as these are only available for league matches and cost £95 to hire from BCP Council (as part of
pitch fee hire).
Hi, my name is Zoe and I am fundraising for Dignity Football Club. Football… Zoe Keeping needs your support for Help Dignity Football Club to Get those Goals!
