Newcastle United Foundation to be the first one awarded with ‘Football Club of Sanctuary’ status in Premier League

Newcastle United Foundation to be the first one awarded with ‘Football Club of Sanctuary’ status in Premier League

Newcastle United Foundation has become the first Premier League football club to be awarded ‘Football Club of Sanctuary’ status for its inclusive commitment and dedication to supporting people in the city who are seeking refuge.

Work across a number of joint initiatives throughout the city and wider region was highlighted as ‘best practice’, including support for the Newcastle West End Foodbank and the ‘A Helping Hand at Christmas’ campaign, which seeks to support some of the region’s most vulnerable people during winter. Further work across the football club has seen additional staff training to understand more about refugees and asylum seekers as well reaffirming ways in which discrimination is reported.

Families seeking sanctuary and young refugees who have recently arrived in the region are among those supported by Newcastle United Foundation, with access to free and inclusive programmes boosting mental and physical health, as well as employability and education support.

One of the key programmes supporting young refugees, asylum seekers and people with a migrant background in the city is the Foundation’s Welcome Through Football initiative. It provides a unique opportunity to assist with integration and inclusion, using passion for football as a platform for engagement.

“It is Newcastle United Foundation’s purpose to inspire, connect and collaborate to enhance people’s lives and our inclusion work engaging all communities living and working here in the North East is key to meeting that mission.”

Steve Beharall, Newcastle United Foundation CEO

About Football Club of Sanctuary Award

The Football Club of Sanctuary Award was developed to showcase football’s contribution to combined local efforts of embedding solidarity, compassion and inclusion regarding sanctuary seekers. Newcastle United Foundation and Newcastle United Football Club have recognised the importance of this and have been working with the organisation for the past three years to develop the Football Club of Sanctuary concept and the award is well deserved.