Wellbeing for refugees through sport

About BF Adventure

At BF Adventure we are committed to empowering children and young people to learn differently in the outdoors and we work with ~ 4,000 individuals each year, of whom 500 live with multiple disadvantages including poverty and social isolation. Over 200 of this group receive specialist longer term support with learning and/or physical disabilities, behavioural challenges, mental ill health and more. It supports individuals on a Journey of Positive Change. 

Our aim

In light of the recent war in Ukraine the team at BF adventure are fundraising to support Falmouth and Penryn Welcome Refugee Families. This charity formed in 2018 to welcome families whose lives had been devastated through the ongoing conflict in Syria. The charity has gone from strength to strength and provides both practical and well-being support to those forced to flee their homes for a variety of reasons. Their work aligns so closely with BF Adventure's values:

The story so far

Last Summer Falmouth and Penryn Welcomes Refugee Families approached BF Adventure to provide adventure days for the children from the refugee families - enabling them to engage in sports and outdoor activities on our 60 acre site near Penryn. With over 30 years of experience, we're specialists in providing trauma informed youth work in the outdoors and supporting some of Cornwall's most vulnerable children and young people on a journey of positive change, equipping them with vital life skills and helping to unlock their potential. We were over the moon to be able to use our skills to help these refugee children:

"It was amazing fun day! I made friends too and would love to play with them again at BF." Yomen

"BF adventure is the most exciting ever! Zip wire was so much fun!" Batoul

"I loved it! Can’t wait to go again." Yamen

It was a huge success, but we don't want to stop there. We talked about encouraging integration between these families and local families - to support them to feel part of the wider community and really feel like Cornwall is their home. 

The impact of Covid-19

The pandemic has presented enormous challenges for children, including isolation and a lack of social and learning opportunities. This only compounded the difficulties that refugee children face as they look to integrate into a new community. This is why providing activity days for refugee children to enjoy with their friends is so crucial in enabling them to bond over new experiences, feel a sense of belonging and benefit from much needed experiences that they've been deprived of. 

We are fortunate in that our outdoor site and activities allow us to operate covid-safe. BF Adventure has been open and operating throughout covid to offer support to vulnerable young people. Therefore, the team is experienced at operating covid-safe. We have submitted risk assessments and received approval from the AA and ‘We’re good to Go’ to operate as a Covid-secure establishment. 

Our dream going forward 

We are seeking funding to enable each of the refugee children to bring a friend along to BF during the summer holidays in 2022. We will use our activities - sports, games, problem solving, kayaking and climbing - to encourage the children to work together, share experiences and make new friends. The activities are designed to build relationships, break down barriers and importantly, to have lots of fun in the fresh air!

Each £500 we raise will give 12 children the opportunity to have a day packed full of activities and exercise, fun and friendship!

We know our activity days are highly impactful. They've made a significant difference already and with more funding, we'll be able to continue doing what works:

“We have just started bringing the kids up for activity days, and they absolutely love it. BF offers experiences that are so valuable and unique. We are really excited to be able to offer these opportunities to children and families who have fled conflict and found themselves in Cornwall. The chance to play and explore new challenges and the resulting increase in self confidence is a joy to behold. BF represents a very special way for families to integrate, learn new skills and have fun in the beautiful Cornish countryside." - Jude Munden

Are you able to help these young refugees on their journey of positive change? 

Huge THANK YOU to everyone in advance for donating, we really appreciate your generosity!