HRH the Duchess of Gloucester, along with Matthew Reed, the Chief Executive of the Children’s Society, met with eight young unaccompanied asylum seeking children, between the ages of 14 and 18, on Saturday, March 5th, at ER Mason Youth Club in Birmingham.

The Children’s Society regularly runs a support and counselling project for these children, as well as others from other conflict areas around the world. The children have claimed asylum; they are under the age of 18 and do not have any support from family or relatives. The Children’s Society supports these young people through a weekly youth club session, one to one support and counselling through the week.

The Duchess spent time talking to these young people about their experiences, how they are finding life in Birmingham as well as having discussions with staff at The Children’s Society about the positive work they are doing within the Midlands area to support these young people.

Rob Willoughby, Midlands Area Director for The Children’s Society said:

‘’It was great that the HRH the Duchess of Gloucester met with 8 young Eritrean refugees on Saturday in Birmingham and that the young people were able to talk about their lives in Birmingham and how they are settling in this country – The Duchess was really interested in the challenges that these young people have without the support of their families – as they arrived in this country unaccompanied and under the age of 18.’’

The young people enjoyed speaking to The Duchess and were very animated and expressive in their conversations with her. They showcased their creativity by producing two collages symbolising their experience living in Birmingham, and also had a game of Jenga with the Duchess.

The young people had an extremely enjoyable experience meeting The Duchess, and they allowed her an insight into their lives and their world.