Forced to flee Afghanistan alone as a boy, Chris has turned hardship into drive – excelling in cricket, thriving at college and building a new life with the support of our staff and services. 

Chris fled conflict in Afghanistan as a young boy, forced to leave everything he knew behind in search of safety. The journey was long and dangerous, and he arrived in the UK alone, without his family. “It was so hard,” Chris admits. “My biggest dream is to meet my parents again, face to face.” Despite the challenges, he was determined to rebuild his life. Arriving at our supported accommodation gave him a fresh start—a place where he felt safe for the first time in a long time and where he could begin to focus on his future. 

The supported accommodation where Chris lives in the North of England specialises in supporting young people to prepare for independent living in the UK. They provide regular weekly sessions with a progression coach, tailored to Chris’s specific needs, and are helping him to secure his own housing. 

The team is also teaching him essential life skills through ‘Independence Packs’, covering everything from budgeting and paying bills to understanding health and safety. They also make sure his health needs are met, like registering with a GP, dentist, and optician and making sure he’s up to date with his childhood immunisations. 

This support has been transformative for Chris.

“I feel relaxed here. I feel safer than in my own country,” he shares. The staff and support workers have played a huge role in his journey. “They’ve done everything for me—what I needed and what I wanted. I’m happy here.” 

One of the most significant relationships Chris has built is with his progression coach, Allan, who he describes as “like my father.” Chris speaks about Allan with deep affection: “He is a great man. He made me who I am today. He pushed me in every situation—at college, with cricket. Whenever I talk to him, I feel like I’m talking to my family.” 

Allan’s unwavering support has been pivotal in helping Chris pursue his passion for cricket. “He took me to the cricket club and helped apply for funding to cover my expenses for a year. He has done everything for me about cricket,” Chris says gratefully. 

“When I play cricket, I feel so good. It’s my dream to become a cricket player. I’m going to do my best to make it happen.” 

Chris’s passion and dedication to cricket culminated in some incredible achievements. At Milnrow Cricket Club, he was honoured with the prestigious Spirit of Cricket Award, which recognised his talent, sportsmanship, and unwavering commitment to the game. 

His hard work and potential did not go unnoticed, as he was invited to apply for the Elite Performance Academy at The Cricket Asylum. This program is highly selective, with entry only by invitation from the professional coaching team. 

 “It was amazing,” Chris says with a beaming smile. The cost of the academy was fully covered by the Directors of The Cricket Asylum, a gesture that underscored their belief in his future in cricket. 

Beyond his impressive talents on the cricket pitch, Chris has poured significant effort into his education. He’s currently excelling in ESL and maths at college, a testament to his dedication to building a solid foundation for his future. “Learning English has been so important,” Chris explains. “When you move to a new country, you have to learn the language. I may not be perfect, but I do my best to get it right.”  

Chris’s academic achievements haven’t gone unnoticed and from more than 100 students on his ESOL course, he was recently presented with The Award for The Most Ambitious student. At the awards ceremony, the presenters commended Chris, stating: 

 “Chris has demonstrated remarkable grit and resilience this year, showing an unwavering determination to shape a brighter future for himself.” This commendation perfectly encapsulates the spirit and drive that define Chris’s inspiring journey. 

Despite the challenges he’s faced, Chris has achieved so much and remains optimistic and grateful for the people who have supported him. Thanks to the dedicated help of Allan and the rest of the staff, who have been assisting him in securing his own housing, Chris is now preparing to move into his own accommodation and live independently for the first time. 

This move marks a huge and well-deserved milestone in his life. It’s a powerful testament to his resilience and a fantastic foundation for a bright, independent future. As he puts it, “Allan, all the staff, they’re like my family. I’m extremely happy to live with people like them,” and he’s determined to use their support as the bedrock for this new chapter. 

 

Chris’ image are AI-generated, helping us improve safeguarding while keeping production costs low.