Following upon the success of a similar visit last summer, Newport Social Services Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children’s team  made contact in June asking if we could collaborate with them on another trip.  We immediately contacted Powys Children’s services to see if they would also like to be involved but despite expressing interest and being kept informed of plans ,  in the end only two young men who had been  to other days out with us attended.

Kathy, Team manager of Newport City Council UASC team ,reported   ‘this was one of the highlights of our summer activities last year.  The boys loved the countryside and the climbing.  The group also made them feel very special with the care that was taken over the refreshments etc…its hard to explain how lovely and unexpected it was.  It would lovely to do it together.’  BHay n Brecon trip

In collaboration  with Newport and HBTSR, we were able to arrange for the use of Llangorse Community Centre as a base for food and relaxation, Rambler’s Association Cymru agreed to lead a walk as they are keen to involve ‘hard to reach people’ in accessing  the countryside and Llangorse Multi Activity Centre [MAC]  provided indoor climbing.  A grant from Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations and Powys County Council paid for the day out which was gratefully received. Using this money, HBTSR were able to book the hall, the activities and provide food and drink and ask Dara and Charlie to come to cook and play music…

Ailsa, Melrose and Robert set up the hall and made some of the salads and cakes but were able to enlist help from Dara and Charlie to operate the BBQ and ensure the feast was both delicious and safe! We were also helped by Morgan and Jacob who came to help chat to the visitors and did a sterling job of washing up at the end!  In addition, it was good to see  Sue and Gaynor [with biscuits and helpful advice about university applications]!

Michael ,a social work assistant in Newport, bought Halal meat and drove the minibus with Sam his colleague driving a few additional participants to arrive by 11.30. Steph a foster carer for Powys arrived soon after with 3 young people and we were all set. Tea, coffee, cake, biscuits and fruit disappeared rapidly! An informal football match on the play park was a great way to break the ice and the Powys based people rapidly found fellow country people to chat to .

At Midday, Stephen from Ramblers’ Cymru helped to round people up and we set off on foot for the Multi Activity Centre[ MAC]  with lots of excited chatter.  Meanwhile back at the hall the magic of transforming meat into ‘the best Chicken’ ever had started.

After enjoying a stroll through countryside and being welcomed at the MAC, there was suddenly a need to pray which slightly delayed the start of the session. The instructors were most understanding and helped  people gradually into climbing harnesses, shoes and helmets and eventually  the whole  group were ready. At this stage Stephen agreed to help  with activities as he’d run a climbing centre In the past! His gentle but authoritative help was appreciated.

It”s fair to say that the author of this would not have attempted any of the activities! Bouldering, high wires, climbing and caving are certainly not for me but all participants seemed very happy. One of the instructors was alarmed to see a youngster climb unroped but he safely made it up and down and  complied with the request to do it with safety in mind in future. Another youngster seemed able to climb  up a face inclined backwards at 45*, made it to the top and jumped back down amidst murmurs of appreciation. Maybe we’ve seen some future Olympic climbers? Or maybe some future employees for a climbing centre if asylum claims are approved?

Three pm came all too quickly and Michael and Crystal were able to take most of the group down by minibus so the lunch could be enjoyed and digested before returning home. Some of the group had football training to attend in the evening,  Dara, Charlie and Melrose had laid out a delicious feast that was much appreciated and people returned for seconds and thirds and there was still enough to take home for later. Dara’s potato salad is world renowned or at least  much appreciated throughout south Wales.! The barbecued banana and chocolate went down well  too!

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As people left they all seemed happy with a great day out. Thanks to all who made it happen and who helped.

We are grateful to Powys County Council and PAVO for a grant that made this possible.

Thanks to Melrose, Robert, Gaynor, Steph, Sue, Morgan, Jacob  for setting up, and washing up, , Dara and Charlie for catering.

to Michael, Sam and Crystal for accompanying the the Newport group and providing Halal meat. Thanks to Steph for driving Yx2 and C from Llandrindod and for ferrying peole around in Llangorse.

Thanks to Stephen from the Ramblers Cymru for all his help and enthusiasm.

and thanks to Llangorse Multi Activity Centre for making our lively group so welcome.

Thanks From Michael

On behalf of the team and all the young people here at Newport, I wish to give a big thank you to all the volunteers at Hay, Brecon & Talgarth Sanctuary for Refugees. All the young people felt so welcome and much appreciated all the effort that went into preparing the food and drinks, especially the chef who kindly prepared the BBQ cooking.

The climbing centre was great for the young people. Apart from having a lot of fun, the boys also gained confidence and self-esteem through meeting the various challenges of the centre and pushing themselves.

One of the key aims of the activity days and visits is to help the young people, all of whom have experienced traumas, to build a bank of positive memories. The visit to LLangorse very much fulfilled this aim.

Please share this will all the team!