Clubs across the UK join Amnesty’s Football Welcomes campaign to show solidarity with those who have fled conflict and persecution
- Showing solidarity across our social media platforms
- New programme ‘Sport without Borders’ is a refugee and asylum seeker physical activity session at Portland Centre
- Working with City of Sanctuary to become the first Football Club of Sanctuary
- Donating free tickets to refugees living in Nottingham to watch Notts County
Notts County Foundation is joining football clubs across the country this April to welcome refugees and people seeking asylum, as Amnesty International’s Football Welcomes campaign returns for its sixth year. Football Welcomes, which is supported by the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, celebrates the role football can play in bringing people together with the aim of creating more welcoming communities for refugees. This year, Football Welcomes comes as the UK government prepares to enact its new immigration bill to permanently exclude people who seek asylum in the UK from receiving any protection here.
To mark the month, Notts County Foundation is showing solidarity with refugees and asylum seekers through our new programme ‘Sport without Borders’ – A refugee specific physical activity session that allows those in need of support to socialise with others and keep fit. This month we are also partnering once again with City of Sanctuary to donate free tickets to refugees and asylum seekers to watch Notts County at Meadow Lane. This gives them an opportunity to feel welcome in our community and aids their integration.
Sarah McCamphill, Sport and Inclusion Manager at Notts County Foundation, said: “We are keen to support and engage with Football Welcomes Month. We have a high population of both football lovers and refugees and asylum seekers in Nottingham who will benefit from the mutual welcome that football gives to everyone. It is important we engage with campaigns such as this as we seek to become a more inclusive to all cultures and backgrounds. We have already allocated tickets to refugees and asylum seekers for our final 3 games at Meadow Lane.”
“Notts County Foundation is one of many clubs from across the Premier League, English Football League, FA Women’s Super League, Championship and National League, Cymru North and South, and grassroots teams that have signed up to take part in Football Welcomes. To show their support for people seeking asylum, participating clubs have hosted a range football-based events including training sessions, matches or stadium tours for refugees. Some clubs are incorporating learning about refugee rights in their work with schools, while others are helping to raise awareness online.”
Naomi Westland, Head of Football Welcomes at Amnesty International UK, said: “The UK immigration bill shines a light that more must be done to protect people who have fled conflict and persecution by creating more welcoming communities. Now more than ever we need to show support to and solidarity with refugees and Football Welcomes is a great initiative to do this. It’s heartening to see CCOs like Notts County Foundation using football as a powerful force for good, bringing people together and a providing a sense of belonging. With the support from the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, Amnesty will continue to welcome refugees alongside football clubs across the country to show there is more that unites us than divides us.”
We are always supportive of refugees and asylum seekers at Notts County Foundation. If you are an organisation that would like to support us in aiding the cause, please contact sarah.mccamphill@nottscountyfoundation.org.uk
