A Friendly Welcome at the Youth Integration Programme in Bournemouth

Once a month, the Bournemouth Ward (congregation) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hosts the Youth Integration Programme (YIP) for young asylum seekers, refugees, and young adult members of the Church. At these events, the youth mix, play board games to help practice their English in a non-classroom setting, have fun, and eat a meal together.

The meal is cooked by members of The International Catering Project which is an organisation made up of members of the Poole Stake (diocese) of the Church, Unity in Vision, and the Westbourne Rotary Club. 

During the pandemic, it was suggested that asylum seekers and refugees might want to take part in the online English Connect Classes that were held twice a week from the Latter-day Saint Charities Friendship Centre in London. What initially began with board games and a meal for YIP has evolved into English classes.

The take up of this proposal was so successful that face to face classes are now offered in addition to the online classes.

The first evening class began July 22, 2022. Currently four classes are being held on a Tuesday night – a beginner’s class, two intermediate classes, and an advanced class.

Teachers come from within the Poole Stake with support from the full-time missionaries, including Elder ­­­­­­Steve Carroll and Sister Angela Carroll who also act as the facilitators for the classes.

Teacher Celeste Griffiths says, “I love to teach. It has been a blessing to have this opportunity – truly the best part of my week.”

Jayne Kyprianou, Communication Specialist for the Poole Stake knows that the young people appreciate the Youth Integration Programme. They say, “It is a nice welcome.”

She adds, “The students haven’t seen anything similar anywhere. They have seen other organisations trying to accommodate them, to make them welcome, and those welcomes are maybe once a year. The young people that attend the YIP event in Bournemouth feel the welcome every time that they come.”

The monthly board games, meal, and English classes are leading to other activities such as football matches, a Saturday morning breakfast and future Self-Reliance classes.

Mrs. Rita El-Gazali, Chair of Unity in Vision says, “We hope that together we can continue to build bridges that could lead to other things that will help all our young people.”

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