Groups rally to help Afghans living at army base

Sarah Jones from the local NHS mental health team organised help for the community

Community groups have stepped in to help Afghan families who have spent months living at a military base in Leicestershire.

The families have been given sanctuary because their work for UK forces during the war puts them at risk of reprisals.

Although some families have been at the Ministry of Defence (MoD) base for a year, accessing work or education is difficult because families can be allocated a house anywhere in the country at short notice.

Now the local NHS is working with groups to organise activities to address a decline in the group's mental health caused by the uncertainty and isolation.

Afghan refugees displayed some of their traditional dress at an event to thank the groups for their support

The families arrived under the the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) for Afghan citizens who worked for or with the UK Government in Afghanistan.

This week the group gathered at Fearon Hall, a community centre in Loughborough, to thank some of the community groups who have helped them.

Sarah Jones, from Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust's mental health team said she had noticed the mental health of the group declining over time.

'People can go to work and volunteer but it's challenging to get out to different activities," she said.

"Due to housing issues people have been there [at the base] a lot longer.

"Anxiety depression trauma, and post traumatic stress disorder are some of the challenges they face.'

'Some of the ladies haven't been able to cook for 10 months so to be able to cook their own food and have the radio on, and their music and singing and dancing, it makes you realise what we take for granted."

Marina is enjoying playing football with a Leicester City community group

Marina, 14, has been at the base for a year but is getting involved with English lessons, textiles, therapy and sport.

"My mum and dad are bored but I'm happy - I have sports and I have my friends," she said.

Despite not being allocated a house yet, Marina is due to start school next week and has also enjoyed playing football.

Joe McSharry, from Leicester City in the Community, a charitable arm of Leicester City, said: "We deliver weekly activities on site and some trips to the King Power Stadium and our training ground in Seagrave.'

"We took them to the training ground last week and they were helping us to plant some seeds to grow some vegetables which hopefully the players will eat as well."

Maryam hopes to go to university and work as a medic

Despite spending eight months at the MoD base, 22-year-old Maryam said was happy to be safe after a traumatic time leaving her homeland.

"Although we are not in a house it gives us a sense of hope that in the near future we will have our own house and access education and working, which women back in Afghanistan are not allowed at the moment," she said.

"My dream is for medication education. I would do something for the community as a doctor and when I return to home I can do something for my own people as well."