“Refugees Rock” Granted Charitable Status to Support Integration and Wellbeing for Asylum Seekers in UK
London, UK – Tuesday 11 March, 2025 – “Refugees Rock,” a pioneering initiative that uses climbing to support integration and wellbeing for asylum seekers and refugees in the UK, has been granted charitable status. Since its launch in 2021, the project has expanded from a single location at The Climbing Hangar in Liverpool to ten UK cities, helping over 500 participants build physical, mental, and social wellbeing through climbing.
The project, a collaboration between Action Asylum project, the British Red Cross, and The Climbing Hangar, began by offering free monthly climbing sessions for asylum seekers and refugees who face severe restrictions on work and income. These sessions create a welcoming and inclusive space at climbing walls across the UK, supported by over 100 “Boulder Buddy” volunteers from the local climbing community.
The achievement of charitable status in January 2025 marks a significant milestone for Refugees Rock, allowing them to raise public awareness and access philanthropic funding and tax relief to expand their vital work. To celebrate this milestone, The Climbing Hangar has become Refugees Rock’s first corporate donor, contributing £10,000 to support the charity’s expansion plans.
Co-Founder and Trustee of Refugees Rock, Emma Leaper, explains the importance of this achievement: “Asylum seekers in the UK are given an allowance of only £7 per day and are not permitted to work. It is incredibly challenging to maintain physical and social wellbeing under these circumstances. Refugees Rock provides a warm and welcoming environment, shared experiences, and an opportunity for new connections and physical activity, providing much-needed relief from the stress and isolation faced by our participants. Our new charitable status gives us a platform for growth to increase our impact and engagement.”
Fadi Bobo, a participant from Lebanon, speaks to the unique benefits of climbing: “I like this kind of sport because there is no winner or loser, everyone wins together, and we all reach the top. We help each other. I love the climbing community because everyone is happy and friendly.”
The project has already demonstrated significant impact through its partnership model, working with local climbing facilities and refugee support organizations across the country. Ged MacDomhnaill, CEO of The Climbing Hangar, where the project first launched, highlights the unique benefits of climbing as an integration tool: “Climbing provides a unique environment where people of all ages, abilities, and experience levels can participate together. It transcends language and cultural barriers and offers opportunities for collaboration and celebration, while also providing mental and physical benefits. Refugees Rock has been instrumental in helping us build a more diverse and inclusive climbing culture, and the groups bring an immense amount of laughter and goodwill to our climbing gyms.”
For more information about how you can get involved with Refugees Rock or donate to the project, please visit https://refugeesrock.org or contact Vivien Underwood at hello@refugeesrock.org.
Distributed by https://pressat.co.uk/.