Passion4Fusion began in 2014 as an informal community initiative by a group of multi-cultural volunteers, their goal was to create a support structure to meet the needs of people from ethnically diverse communities, particularly young people and women in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
Today, the organisation run a variety of programmes. Their focus is much wider than sport, they provide anti-racism training, have programmes to support mental health and wellbeing, they give culturally sensitive support to Africans with underlying health issues and concerns and much more.
The families Passion4Fusion support have many challenges such as racism, under-representation and poor access to services, language barriers, social isolation and many live in deprived areas.
Passion4Fusion, with the help of National Lottery funding, has experienced remarkable growth with staff numbers increasing from 2 to 14. The organisation now supports over 250 children and young people each week across four locations in Edinburgh and West Lothian and has assisted 25 low-income parents in securing employment.
Isaac Akhadelor, health and wellbeing outreach worker for Passion4Fusion said: “Our approach is family first. So for the young people who are engaged with us, we do our best to build a relationship with their family and see where we can help them.
“Most of the young people we work with are from deprived areas and don’t have the opportunity to take part in sport at a grassroots club. People who have recently moved here often don’t know how to access services that will help them, like health care and other essential services, that’s something we work with families to tell them what’s available and how to get the support they need.
“A big part of what we try to do is create pathways for the young people. We try to refer them to clubs in the area, but sometimes it is difficult for them to fit in because of the cultural differences.
In 2023, a partnership with Wester Hailes Community Sports Hub and Active Schools, allowed the charity to increase its capacity for football sessions. Wester Hailes community sport hub is part of the national sportscotland community sport hub network. The National Lottery funded network brings sports clubs and community organisations together locally to improve the contribution sport and physical activity has within communities across Scotland.
Wester Hailes is an area with multiple deprivation and has one of the most diverse communities in Edinburgh, that includes a Black African population seven times the average of the UK. A lack of understanding for the various cultures, races, and religions has led to an increase in verbal and physical violence between the young people from various backgrounds in the area.
Project Esperanza, an Edinburgh based charity who deliver anti-racism training, deliver a programme of workshops at these football session which create a safe space for antiracism learning and allow for safe discussion and reflection, while providing staff the tools and techniques to recognise and challenge racism.
A collaborative approach with various organisations sees the young people and their families get support from various organisations. The WHY Project and Edinburgh Council Youth Work staff are also involved, providing food and counselling to the young people who need it.
Isaac added: “We were never set up to be only for black and brown young people. We are open to all and our goal was always to help every young person get the chance to play the sport that they want.
"We want to create opportunities for people regardless of their background or abilities in sport.
“We have one of the most diverse sporting groups in Scotland. There’s many white boys and girls who have struggled to fit in at other clubs who are comfortable with us and are seeing the benefits of sport.”
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About Passion4Fusion
