by John Hawryluk (EVOC Service Delivery Lead)
In 2002, when Nelson Mandela accepted the Inaugural Laureus Sports Award, he opened with “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire, it has the power to unite people”. This summer, those words came to life at Peffermill Sports Centre, where the Integration through Sport pilot brought together refugees, students, and residents through the power of sport.
Delivered in partnership between the University of Edinburgh, EVOC, and identified organisations from Edinburgh and Glasgow, Big Hearts, Mission of Innocents, AUGB Glasgow, and Chesser Hearts, the project brought together communities.
Over the summer of 2025, Peffermill was transformed into a community space where over 75 participants enjoyed football sessions, a colour run, and post-match social gatherings. This pilot showed how spaces owned by the University could be utilised by the local community outside of the academic year.
We are delighted to publish the final impact report for the Integration through Sport pilot activity here.
Impact report: Highlights at a Glance
- ⚽ 30 children joined fortnightly football sessions with Mission of Innocents
- 🤝 40 New Scots took part in the community football match
- 🎨 50 participants from refugee communities joined the Colour Run
- 🍕 21 pizzas shared post-match (and no one had to cook!)
- 💷 £764.90 in-kind support from the University of Edinburgh
- 💰 £250 from the City of Edinburgh Council for community socials
Sport as a Bridge for Integration
Mission of Innocents hosted two football sessions for Ukrainian refugee families, giving children aged 6–15 the chance to play, connect, and feel part of a wider community. Parents watched from the sidelines while they were able to develop friendships and support networks that extended beyond the pitch.
Chesser Hearts brought even more energy to the field with a friendly match against a Ukrainian Select team, a celebration of sport, culture, and solidarity. The final score was 7–4, but the real success was seen in the smiles, teamwork, and laughter that followed. After the match, players gathered for Pizza (thanks to Pizza Geeks), a simple but powerful reminder that food and sport go hand in hand in bringing people together.
Big Hearts, reflecting on the day, praised the collaboration between five key partners and highlighted how initiatives like this showcase the strength of working together to support New Scots and build inclusive communities.
A Burst of Colour and Connection
The University of Edinburgh’s Colour Run 2025 added a splash of vibrancy to the programme. More than 200 participants — including 50 New Scots from local refugee communities — took part in a celebration of movement and mental wellbeing on World Mental Health Day.
The event, supported by EVOC, Care4Calais Scotland, Edinburgh Refugee Sponsorship Circle, Chapter House, and Mission of Innocents, turned the Peffermill route into a festival of colour, energy, and connection. It was a vivid reminder that inclusion can be joyful, active, and full of life.
Looking Ahead
The Integration through Sport pilot has shown what’s possible when sport, collaboration, and compassion come together. Through partnership, shared vision, and creative use of community spaces, the project built not only fitness, but friendship, confidence, and hope.
Looking to 2026, partners plan to expand the programme with more regular sessions and cultural exchange opportunities, continuing to use sport as a tool for inclusion and understanding.
Because when we play together, we grow together.
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