Just two hours of football can improve refugees' wellbeing

Just two hours of football per week can improve the wellbeing of refugees displaced from their home countries, a new study has found.

The University of Essex research focused on indoor football sessions organised for male asylum seekers in the UK.

Led by Dr Chris McManus - from the School of Sport, Rehabilitation, and Exercise Sciences - researchers saw improvements in players of life satisfaction, worth, and happiness after games.

The seven-week study looked at men from countries like Syria, Iran, and Ethiopia, who were staying in a hotel awaiting asylum claim decisions.

The study was launched amid decision backlogs which leave the refugees in temporary accommodation with no facilities for up to three years.

'Ease and improve'

“Quite often these people, have experienced serious trauma, are thousands of miles from their families and housed in temporary accommodation for years.

“But a simple game of football can help ease and improve their mental health and shows how exercise can have real benefits for everyone in society.”

The paper published in, Heliyon, showed football was a meaningful way to connect with others and boost their mood.

More than 20 refugees took part in the games – held at the University - and their mental health was measured across the study.

'Full of energy'

Refugee Abdul, 30, from Syria, said: “I feel positive and full of energy after participating.

“I was in university in Syria studying law, so to be in the university environment again made me really happy and forget my situation.

“It gave me hope that I will be able to continue my studies here in the UK one day.”

The research was a collaboration between the University, Essex County Council, and Refugee, Asylum Seeker & Migrant Action.

It is also builds on Dr McManus’ work with Changing Lives FC, where football has been shown to facilitate social inclusion and improve mental health among various vulnerable groups.

Collaboration 

He hopes the findings will encourage policymakers to implement simple, accessible sports programmes for refugees.

Dr McManus said: “The success of this project was deeply rooted in collaboration with partners.

“Their support was instrumental in the design of the project, effectively communicating with the hotel residents, and assisting with data collection.

“This partnership allowed us to create an initiative that not only engaged participants but also ensured we gathered high-quality data to understand the real impact of football on refugee wellbeing.”