Justice First is a charity whose mission is to cultivate a society rooted in welcoming, accepting, and upholding the dignity of those seeking refuge in the UK. They cater to the needs of individuals in the Tees Valley who are applying for asylum in the UK.
Funding will be used to cover the costs of a one-day multicultural football tournament on Saturday 15th June 2024, with the primary goal of fostering community unity, diminishing the fear of crime and authorities, and improving social integration among social and cultural groups in Teesside by bringing together the communities of Teesside through sport.
The event will be an opportunity to improve community cohesion by encouraging interaction between refugees and asylum seekers and the rest of the local community. By including teams from community safety and uniformed services the event will also be an opportunity to increase engagement with uniformed services.
Service providers like the Red Cross, police, and health services will be present to showcase their services and engage with refugee and asylum-seeking groups. This aspect of the event is crucial for helping refugees and asylum seekers learn how to access essential services confidently, including how to report crimes, especially hate crimes. Organisations will be invited to set up booths with informative leaflets, information, and giveaways. An international buffet will celebrate the efforts of participants and organizers, offering a chance for people to mingle during lunch.
Given many asylum seekers’ negative past experiences with uniformed authorities, the tournament aims to create a friendly, exciting atmosphere that can help alleviate fears and foster positive relationships. Overcoming fear and building trust among different groups, while promoting healthy activity, is a key objective of this tournament.
Decision 2023/24 – 0042: Justice First International Football Tournament (application, 253kB)