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Who are we?
Dreamers is a Charnwood support project for young refugees and asylum seekers. It helps young people aged between 11-25 years old. It is run by County Council Youth Workers.
The project began life in 2002 when Andrew Lake, a local Youth Worker, met a single young man from Kosovo who told him of the difficulties he was facing adapting to life in the UK. The group grew in membership until it now supports nearly 90 young peope in Charnwood. The members come from Iraq, Iran, Somalia, Afghanistan, Armenia, Syria, Kosovo and Albania. There are now three Youth Workers attached to the project.
Dreamers offers to its members the same sort of opportunities any good youth club does. A chance to meet your mates, have a laugh, go camping, Canoeing, climbing, discussions and so on. Uniquely the group also brings together young refugees and asylum seekers who often feel alone, isolated, struggling to understand life in the UK and misunderstood, and sadly quite a few of the members have been attacked by racists. Meeting together gives the young people strength and the opportunity to challenge prejudice and get their point of view over. A key role of the group is to tell the truth about Asylum Seekers and Refugees.
Publications
- Hidden Voices (PDF, 2.7 Mb)
Download a PDF version of Hidden Voices - An insight in to the lives of young Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Leicestershire.
- Near and Far Brochure (PDF, 3.2 Mb)
This PDF is a free resource pack containing five activities to support the work around acceptance and integration of asylum seekers within the education system and wider community.
- Crossing the Border downloadable game and worksheet (PDF, 1.1 Mb)
This game raises awareness of some of the real difficulties faced by Asylum Seekers because of language and literature issues.
- Worlds apart downloadable game and worksheets (PDF, 1 Mb)
This game aims to challenge myths and labels we apply to refugees and Asylum Seekers in the UK.
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What have we been doing?
Dreamers recently attended the Children and Young People's Service Awards night, after being shortlisted as one of the top youth projects in the country!
Dreamers go to the Festival of History.
follow the link to find out more...
Andy Reed MP visits Dreamers.
In June 2009 Dreamers met with Andy Reed at Westminster, and he agreed to spend more time with the group back in Loughborough listening to their stories. He said 'It was really good to meet with the young people involved in the Dreamers project. The stories of these young people are very inspiring. It is good to hear how well they are settling in Loughborough - and i hope in the UK we will always have the reputation of being able to offer sanctuary to those in genuine need so they can rebuild their lives'. Dreamers found Andy to be really friendly. He spent time with them talking about important issues to them and also took time to play table tennis. And as always with Dreamers, he had to pose for photos.
Interesting things you should know about
Refugees and Asylum Seekers
The UN Refugee Agency UNHCR has just launched an English language version of their Against All Odds online game
Refugee Week is a unique opportunity to discover and celebrate the contributions refugees bring to the UK.
During Refugee Week loads of events take place all across the UK, all of which explore refugee experiences. Whatever you’re into - whether its arts, music, food or just meeting people in your local area - Refugee Week will have an event for you.
For more information contact:
Andrew Lake (Area Coordinator)
Nicky Rhodes (Youth Support Worker)
Steve Booth (Assistant Youth Support Worker)
Barbara Walker (Early Intervention Worker)
Mountfields Lodge Youth Centre
Mountfields Lodge
Epinal Way
Loughborough
Tel: 01509 267796 (Every Wednesday & Friday)
Email: Andrew.Lake@leics.gov.uk