At the height of Covid, Mamoud walked over to us in the foyer of the Bradford Hotel delighted to see the creative activities we were offering with Mears.
A teacher and trainee social worker, Mamoud was seeking asylum from Sierra Leone. Mamoud shared with us how difficult his current situation was and how his circumstances were impacting his mental health.
Thanks to our established supportive global community, Mamoud was welcomed into our regular online creative wellbeing sessions with open arms. We provided internet data for him to join our sessions supporting his wellbeing through writing poetry, therapeutic movement and telling stories. We worked together throughout the year and over time saw his confidence grow.
Mamoud was moved to Hartlepool and within a few months he had not only settled into this new town, but also established ‘Hartlepool Refugee Football Club’, supporting other young men in a similar situation. He was asked to speak at the City of Sanctuary’s National Conference in June 2021 and has also spoken in the House of Commons. Mamoud also volunteers for our regular ‘Creating Together‘ sessions.
Mamoud has now received his leave to remain, and continues to support others with similar journeys.
