Refugees Rock is a climbing club that aims to provide free climbing sessions to people who have been subjected to war, exploitation, and persecution. Waleed, who came to the UK from Sudan only three years ago, was among the first people who took part in Refugees Rock. This club operates in partnership with The British Red Cross and The Climbing Hangar, with the Action Asylum initiative acting as the national coordinator. Climbing is a perfect metaphor for the challenges that refugees face, as it represents the resilience they need to overcome the difficulties they face.
Since the beginning of Refugees Rock, hundreds of refugees and asylum seekers have enjoyed the free climbing sessions at 14 centres throughout the UK. Climbing offers a new sense of camaraderie among members by recruiting local climbers as volunteer ‘boulder buddies’ to help introduce the newcomers and provide a warm hand of friendship. According to Emma Leaper, national coordinator with the Action Asylum initiative, climbing is much more than just a sport, and people who make it to the top feel a strong sense of accomplishment and renewed confidence.
Confidence building is the greatest difference climbers experience, particularly as they forget about their asylum case, concerns about family separation, and the trauma they had to go through. Leaper noted that climbing has a much more profound meaning than just climbing up a wall, and the positive effect on confidence reflects its importance to individuals who are seeking a new life in the UK after leaving their homes due to war, persecution, or exploitation.
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