People affected by displacement are some of the most vulnerable in our society. They often face severe mental health and wellbeing challenges due to trauma, exploitation, instability and isolation.
Sport can be a way of confronting these challenges. Squash Dreamers and the ‘ We See You’ program offer displaced people the opportunity to play squash. Find out how they have successfully established a sense of community and belonging for displaced people below.
Squash Dreamers
Based in Jordan, Squash Dreamers provides young refugee girls safe access to squash and academic support. In a country with one of the highest refugee populations per capita, displaced Syrian and Sudanese girls have limited access to full time schooling and opportunities for sports and community participation are scarce.
Their program provides English classes and one-to-one tutoring that gives them the academic support that the Jordanian system cannot provide. This coupled with regular squash training sessions provides them with a community where they can find their identity and self-confidence.
Squash Dreamers’ success is reflected in the admission of a number of their girls into sought after schools abroad. Last Summer, seven were awarded scholarships to UK Summer programs, testament to the way Squash Dreamers has used squash and academic support to contribute to the personal growth of their participants.
We See You
Run by Calderdale Community Squash, We See You provides weekly squash sessions to asylum seekers housed in local hotels in the UK. Faced with living in a new country, with a different culture and a different language, asylum seekers often face many challenges to their wellbeing.
Calder Community Squash shows solidarity with UK asylum seekers by establishing a safe space where they can replace their feeling of isolation with a sense of belonging. Aron, the program’s founder says ‘there’s something about the intensity of squash that can be meditative and in some ways (I hope) healing, if only for an hour every week’.
The PSA Foundation is committed to breaking down the barriers to playing squash and giving everyone the opportunity to benefit from our sport. As partner programs, Squash Dreamers and Calder Community Squash embody these values to create a lasting impact within their communities.
