It is truly no picnic rebuilding your life in a completely new place, navigating new systems, and trying to understand a new language - one that is full of confusing idioms such as ‘no picnic’. Asylum seekers and refugees face barriers that native citizens might not even consider throughout various everyday activities - including one as simple as having a picnic.

Working to bridge those gaps is The Dreamers, a partnership project between Oasis, TGP Cymru and CAVHIS, funded by the National Lottery. Alongside a weekly youth group, the young people who sign up to this project design their own programme of activities: recent iterations have seen a group litter picking outing and a wellbeing walk.  

Sunny weather in Cardiff, of course, called for a Dreamers picnic in Bute park - but what are some of those taken-for-granted things that you actually need for something to be a picnic?

1. You need community!

Many young people sign up to the Dreamers project in search of community. Whether they’re struggling to make connections due to language and economic barriers or have arrived unattended, social isolation and loneliness are real concerns for young people seeking sanctuary.

The trip gave many young people the opportunity to socialise over half term, during which, without school or college, they may not have other opportunities to engage with their peers. Many of those who had not yet attended the weekly youth group, perhaps finding entering  an established group intimidating, turned up to the picnic in the hope of meeting people. 

One facilitator commented on how nice it was to see some new faces join the trip, and particularly, the efforts made by already-established young people to welcome newcomers into the group and make them feel comfortable. New attendees said that they really enjoyed themselves and looked forward to seeing their new friends at the youth group.

2. You need a small budget

Extremely low budgets limit the possibilities for young people seeking sanctuary to meet new friends, integrate, and start building their life in a completely new city. This kind of barrier can impact even the simplest of activities in ways that others might not consider.

The Dreamers team brought picnic blankets, food, drinks, and sun cream, alongside games such as football, frisbee, skittles, colouring and art supplies. This variety meant that whilst some of the group were playing football nearby, others could sit on the picnic blanket and draw or colour. Many described this activity as ‘relaxing’, noting how much they enjoyed being outside and explaining that they didn’t know this place existed until now.

3. You need to know where to go

Many young people who had just arrived in Cardiff expressed great interest in exploring the city. Even those who had been here longer expressed joy in finding new places. Those who had already visited Bute park reflected that they hadn’t explored it in its entirety because they were unsure whether areas such as those with picnic benches were accessible for free.

4. You need the space to relax

One of the Oasis facilitators explained that trips like these reminded them of the importance of ‘play’, giving young people a chance to just be ‘young people’. Several picnic attendees are currently studying for exams and, when asked how they were going, replied: ‘I don’t want to think about them today…  this is the first chance I have to relax’.

Depending on your circumstances, even a picnic might actually be ‘no picnic’ to organise. This significance is reflected in the impact that such a simple activity can have on the wellbeing of young people seeking sanctuary. Introducing a new local outdoors area that is free to access can help people feel more connected to their surroundings, generating essential feelings of belonging. Being active whilst meeting new people and building connections benefit both physical and mental wellbeing whilst reducing the stress and isolation faced when re-building a life in a completely new place.

One participant described the trip as: 

‘Football, enjoyment. I met great new people - best trip of my life.’

The community-building potential for these types of trips was consistently highlighted in the feedback from attendees. One said: ‘It’s my first time here, new people I met from Sudan.’ Another said that the picnic ‘encouraged me to learn English… improve my English. I am new here - right way to meet new people and learn new cultures from different countries… connecting people together.’ 

Highlighted in these responses is the importance of creating opportunities for young people to meet and interact with their surrounding area and culture. This, in the face of multiple invisible barriers, is truly ‘no picnic’. However, as the described impact of this trip testifies, creating such opportunities for connection and integration can often be as simple as just having a picnic.