Tees Valley Sport have teamed up with a local Charity called Investing in People and Cultures (IPC) and a Middlesbrough based Martial Arts and Cross Training Academy (M.A-X Academy) to deliver a project that has made significant difference to the lives of young Refugee and Asylum Seekers living in the Tees Valley.
The waters were tested through the roll out of a Sportivate programme which supported the organisations for an initial period of delivery. The success of the sessions and the commitment of the partners has led us to develop a more long term model of engagement through the Satellite Clubs programme.
At face value young people are coming together on regular basis to learn a variety of Martial Art skills and movements. In reality the outcomes are far more complex. The link between IPC and M.A-X has been a vehicle to engage some very fragile members of our community and work to improve their health and wellbeing, develop confidence and create a sense of community cohesion.
The Project Partners
Tees Valley Sport – The County Sport Partnership.
Investing in People and Cultures - A registered charity operating across North East England to facilitate the social and economic inclusion of vulnerable migrants.
M.A-X Training Academy – a dynamic martial arts academy based in Middlesbrough. The centre has been in business for 15 years and specialises in all areas of martial arts.
Participants
A mixture of young people predominantly housed in Gresham, one of Middlesbrough’s most deprived wards and estimated to fall within the 100 most deprived wards in the country. The core participants were a mix of Roma Travellers, Czech Travellers, Black African and Eastern European young people.
These children exist in extremely difficult circumstance with lives that often lack routine or structure. Many are living in extreme poverty with the meeting of basic needs being a daily priority for families. The young people often fall in to a cycle of perceived nuisance behaviours and are ‘moved on’ from street activities by traditional enforcement services. This alleviates immediate neighbourhood issues but does not provide any long term solution.
Making it Work
A volunteer for IPC had experience of M.A-X and felt that the Academy’s structured yet creative approach to delivery could work for their young client group.
IPC had links to many of the families through their services in housing, translation and general first point of contact support. To engage the young people Bini Araia (Co-coordinator of IPCs Middlesbrough based activities and founding trustee of the organisation) took to the streets to float the idea of a Martial Arts session. Gradually interest grew and, with some initial transport support, young people showed preparity to try the sessions. Knowing the nature of the young people targeted the Sportivate course was pre-empted with a small number of taster sessions before the recognisable 6 week block was hosted.
M.A-X Academy have adopted an accommodating stance to working with these young people. On first appearances the coaching set up is very instructor heavy, but watching the activity and seeing how the team leaders interact with the group is a revelation. Quietly correcting, encouraging, checking form and refocussing the group, there is more carrot than stick and the participants thrive on the attention. In the session there is a lead coach as well as support and student coaches, some seeming little older than the participants and presenting as excellent role models.
Loaned, but pristine, Martial Arts kit ensure that the poverty and hardship inherent to the group does not extend to the Dojo floor. The participants have progressed through basic skills and embraced the respect and etiquette imparted by M.A-X. Fun and enjoyment experienced in the sessions is clear, there is an excitement as the start of the session draws near. M.A-X know the value of fun.
“When we began to run sessions with IPC we knew some of the participants because of the challenging behaviours they had displayed in our vicinity. The impact of the programme has been beyond our expectation; some shy young females have found a voice and some of the demonstrative male participants are making better life choices and becoming an asset to their communities. My Instruction team also grew, gaining insight to the hardship and diversity that is present amongst our community.”
Samantha Johnson – instructor and coordinator M.A-X Academy
What difference has been made?
Statistically the Sportivate Course would not spring off the page as a huge success, attendance has been ragged; so many other factors are at play for this group. (walking to the session in wet weather may leave their only pair of shoes wet for school the next day) In terms of added value and making a difference the impact has been huge.
- Young people have achieved within the sport, improving their skills and finding an enduring interest. Through undertaking structured physical activity they have taken small steps to improving physical health and mental wellbeing.
- Through the programme parents, who are invited to watch, have begun to socialise with one another, creating friendships and widening their support network.
- Parents report that young people have improved sleep, have become more focussed and likely to attend school. One parent felt his daughter was better able to concentrate and focus on immediate tasks.
- The programme has presented an alternative environment for Bini to speak to young people (and families) and a vehicle to engage them in broader discussion.
- Positive and responsible confidence in the young people has increased. One Lebanese boy came along to the venue for five weeks before actually taking the step to physically join the session.
- IPC have seen the value of Sport and Physical Activity as a means of support and are open to embracing other activities and establishing adult groups.
“We have developed a great partnership with Tees Valley Sport and M.A-X Academy; the impact of their delivery on some of our families and young people has opened our eyes to the potential of physical activity in addressing social isolation”
Bini Araia – Coordinator and Founder of Middlesbrough IPC
Continuity
Tees Valley Sport have continued to work with IPC and M.A-X and the agencies are extending the provision of activity through the revised Satellite Club offer. IPC have since secured £149,000 of funding through Sport England’s Opportunities Fund. This money will support the development of volunteers to support the work with M.A-X, establish work with Middlesbrough FC Foundation and with Parkrun. The project will learn how to integrate refugees into local communities through volunteering opportunities with sports organisations.