My visit to The Welsh Refugee Council play group was a massive eye opener and confirmed to me that we really do live in the greatest country in the world. We have so many kind people who look after each other and really care about people who are new to our country. Not only do we get huge donations for BBC Children in Need but we also have so many kind volunteers who help to run schemes like the one I visited.
This play group started off in a very small room at the back of a very large church in Cardiff. Six years on they are now entertaining and educating young people from all over the world in the main church hall. There are plenty of toys and activities to keep everyone entertained. Most of us take our toys for granted but if you think about it these young people probably arrived in the UK with very little money, clothes and most likely no toys.
We often hear about refugees on the news but we don’t really know what happens after they arrive in Wales. Do we know how they are feeling? It must be especially hard if they have children. Most of us don’t realise that they live in shared accommodation and the children have nowhere to play or to make friends. This play group welcomes local children and young people from all over the world. It was so nice to see that although they don’t speak the same language they can still have fun and learn together.
The playgroup is also a great place for parents, whilst their children are happy and playing they meet other mums and dads in a similar situation and have someone to talk to. This is a time when they can switch off and forget about the difficulties they are facing in moving to a new country. They are probably missing their family and friends back home but when they are in the play group they feel a part of society.
The volunteers seemed to love and adore every minute of the session. Playing and guiding the young children.
During my visit I had an opportunity to play with the children and it was great to see their faces light up when Pudsey came in. All in all I felt lifted after my visit.
The grant from BBC Children in Need pays for four play groups per week which are held in Cardiff and Newport. They are popular and worthwhile; my only hope is that one day similar schemes are available where there are large numbers of refugees.
Behnaz visited a playgroup run by The Welsh Refugee Council which is funded by BBC Children in Need.
