Jacob volunteering with Swindon Town FC Community Foundation after attending their Refugee sessions.

At just 14 years old, Jacob left his home in Sudan and made the journey to the United Kingdom, a journey that would take him 3 years. Jacob describes this ordeal as “extremely daunting and scary.”

Having now been in the UK for 2 years, Jacob is 18 years old and has been volunteering with Swindon Town FC Community Foundation with ambition to establish a career in sport.

His role as a Facility Staff Member is based at ‘Foundation Park’, a place he knows well from his own participation.

For Jacob, Swindon Town FC Community Foundation and football were the two things that provided him support and stability when he arrived.

With no means of employment, and a stipend that doesn’t allow for leisure activities, Jacob and others are faced with long hours of boredom.

One outlet that is available to them is sport, and recognising this, the Foundation has given refugees the opportunity to attend coached sessions and play matches using the Foundation’s facilities.

The weekly sessions average around 20 participants, and those who are regularly committed have also been able to form a team. The Foundation also assist the participants with obtaining any kit that may be required in order to remove any barriers to participation they may be faced with.

Jacob loves attending weekly sessions at the Swindon Town FC Community Hub ‘Foundation Park’ which sits under the shadow of STFC home stadium The County Ground.

Swindon Town FC Foundation has given Jacob the opportunity to be active, meet new people, and aspire to pursue a career in something he loves.