For the last two years, Everton in the Community (EitC) and the Red Cross have been helping refugees and asylum seekers settle and form friendships in Liverpool.
More than 250 refugees from around 25 countries have been engaged in weekly drop-in and football sessions run by EitC, providing participants with regular physical activity which in turn breaks down language barriers and feelings of isolation and loneliness.
To mark Refugee Week, participants at Everton's community hub in Walton were interviewed about their experiences and hopes for the future as part of the British Red Cross Refugee Week Conversations Project.
"Going to football does help because you know more people, different people," says Jacob, who fled Kenya after being attacked by a gang.
"Coming from a different country to a new area where you know no-one, football brings us all together."
🙌 | “Football brings us all together” @EITC coach Lee Johnson runs a weekly session for refugees & asylum seekers in the City. #RefugeeWeek pic.twitter.com/CZAEtOiUSI
— EFC in the Community (@EITC) June 22, 2017
