Completion of the UASC Programme

By Ali Nott, Youth, Education and Wellbeing Officer

After three successful years, the UASC (Unaccompanied and Asylum Seeking Children) Programme has come to an end, having reached over 70 young people, from 9 nationalities living in 17 different locations.

The programme, commissioned by Wiltshire Council, delivered 14 conservation, 10 music and 62 football sessions, 27 day trips and 12 education elements between 2020 and 2023.

The programme has had an immensely positive impact, achieving the goals we set to:

1. Help overcome trauma:

“He had a smile from ear to ear when he walked in the door.”

Kathy Tylor, Foster Carer, Salisbury

2. Create a sense of belonging:

“The boys related the trip back to their home countries, comparing them to the trees and plants they could see in Stourhead.”

Ella Gower, UASC Programme Support Worker - Trip to Stourhead in October 2022

A legacy of the UASC Programme is the forming of new relationships between Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, The Harbour Project, Swindon Town Football Club and The National Trust. Our wellbeing team now continues to work with asylum seeking and refugee families, whilst The Harbour Project and Swindon Town Football Club fund the football sessions themselves, due to its success and national recognition.