How Barnardo’s helped Rohman feel more at home in the UK

Rohman, an 18-year-old refugee from Afghanistan, came to the UK to live with his father and has been supported to start a new life here by Barnardo’s Leaving Care Lincolnshire. 

Struggling to feel at home 

Since fleeing his home in Afghanistan, things have been tough for Rohman and his dedicated caseworker Vicki knew he needed support for his mental health.  

Although Vicki doesn’t speak Pashto or Urdu, and Rohman doesn’t speak much English, Vicki could immediately tell that Rohman really loves cricket. To help him feel more at home here, Vicki made it her mission to reconnect him with the game he loves.

Connecting to a new community through cricket 

Together, they found a local club, Wollaton CC in Nottingham, and met with the club secretary who welcomed Rohman into the club with open arms.  

Vicki then set out to find him all of the cricket equipment he would need to be able to play, using £600 from the Barnardo’s Young People’s Grant. The cricket club have also connected Rohman with a member of the club who speaks his first language, Pashto, to help him get to know everyone better. With training starting soon for the new season, Rohman is already feeling more at home.