Lincoln City Foundation have been working with the Lincolnshire Resettlement Partnership to support Afghan resettlers who are currently residing in Lincolnshire ahead of finding permanent resettlement.
Photo Credit: Chris Vaughan Photography
Towards the end of 2021, members of Team Foundation along with first-team players Lasse Sorenson, Sam Long and Sean Roughan visited the families, who had recently arrived in the UK, to help boost morale and welcome them to the county. As well as participating in games and crafts with the children, we also took along some Lincoln City FC goody bags containing replica kits, which were gratefully received by the families.
To follow on from this visit, during Easter half term the families were invited to Lincoln to tour the LNER Stadium and enjoy some free time playing on our 3G facility. The families appreciated learning more about the Imps, undertaking an Easter egg hunt around the Stadium, and participating in football and multi-sport activities with members of the Foundation team.
Alice Carter, Head of Healthier Communities, Lincoln City Foundation said:
We feel privileged to be able to join with the Lincolnshire Resettlement Partnership and Lincoln City Football Club to engage with the Afghan families currently living here in Lincolnshire. It has been a joy to connect with the families through various activities and to provide the children with replica shirts so they can wear the Imp with pride!
As an organisation we continually strive to provide opportunities inclusive of all individuals who form our communities - football and sport is a universal language for all, and these visits have demonstrated that fully.
Martin Hickerton, Chief Executive Officer, Lincoln City Foundation added:
Meeting with the Afghan families was a great experience, and it was so good to share some simple moments of joy with them – playing football, chatting to new people and taking part in some simple kids’ activities. Having seen some of the scenes in Kabul on TV a few months ago, being able to welcome the families to the LNER stadium was a fantastic experience.