Heritage is a person’s unique, inherited sense of family identity: the values, traditions, culture, and artifacts handed down by previous generations. We absorb a sense of our heritage throughout our lives as we observe and experience the things that make our family unique

Diaspora

Diaspora refers to a population that shares a common heritage who are scattered in different parts of the world

Breakdown of Family

It’s a common regret: “I wish I’d asked my grandparents, parents, aunts, and uncles more about their lives.”

Most people don’t know much about their family history. This is because people usually don’t become interested in genealogy until they’re in their 50s and 60s, when they have more time to reflect on their family identity. The problem is that by that time, their grandparents and parents have often already passed away or are unable to recount their stories.

Because of this, we’re losing generations of stories, and all of the benefits that come with them.

Relevant to Youth Development

Tackling family breakdown to prevent social exclusion. “Fractured Families” looked at the role of family breakdown in pathways to crime and disadvantage and drew attention to three distinct but overlapping forms of family breakdown.

• Dissolution (where parents part after having children together),
• Dysfunction (where parents are not able to provide their children with a sufficiently nurturing environment) and
• ‘Dadlessness’ (15% of all the UK’s children grow up without a resident father – many of these dads may never have been committed to their children’s mother and are unable to provide the essential security which children need as their identities form).

Rationale

Benefits of Knowing Your Family History

Did you know that learning about your family history can increase your happiness?

1. It gives you a sense of identity

Nothing is more eye-opening than learning about who you are. Learning about your ancestors, celebrating family traditions, embracing your culture, and understanding where you came from can open your eyes to how beautiful and unique you are. It can also give your sense of self-worth and belonging a boost. 

2. It makes you more resilient

Let’s face it, life is hard. But back in the day, life was even more so. More likely than not, your past family members probably faced terrible tragedies and heartache. They faced things that seem almost impossible to overcome. But they did overcome them. And learning about their stories and how they got through difficult times can definitely give you the courage you need to keep going and make you more resilient when you’re facing challenges.  

3. It helps you connect with others

Learning about your family history can have amazing effects on the way you connect with others, especially because it allows you to connect with people in the past, present, and the future. And forming connections with others is crucial to a fulfilling life. 

4. It makes you a better human

Your ancestors’ stories can shape you into a more grateful, happy, empathetic, and compassionate version of yourself. For example, you may discover that your great grandfather lived during the Great Depression, and that he had to work hard to provide for his family, which may inspire you to work hard as well. Whatever stories are glistening in your treasury of family history, now is the time to unearth them! 

5. It helps you make good health choices

Have you been filling out a patient history form in a doctor’s office and your mind went blank when it asked if cancer, high blood pressure, or diabetes ran in your family? Well, to avoid leaving those blank spaces in the future, learning about your ancestors can give you a lot of information on what health concerns run in your family, and more importantly, what you are at risk for. Knowing this information can help you make good choices regarding your health and help you lead a healthy lifestyle.  

Diaspora Youth Football Project

There is no greater honour, none, as a sportsperson than representing your country,” said Ian Wright, who won 33 caps for England.

The Diaspora Youth Project will celebrate London’s rich multi-cultural communities and bring them together under the umbrella of football. We will give young people a since of pride whilst educating them on their own family origins, it’s an opportunity for us to use football to promote a sense of belong underpinned by British values. London is continually recognised as one of the world’s most cosmopolitan and culturally diverse cities. With a population of over 8 million, London boasts over 300 languages and is home to more than 270 nationalities.

We are proposing a monthly fixtures programme over 6/8 months of the year. The aim of the project is to not interfere with mainstream grassroots football, but an opportunity to compliment and continue to bridge the gap between grassroots and professional youth football structures.

The project will encourage community groups, embassies, and national federations involvement where possible. National teams have started to look beyond local talent and search deep into their diaspora communities world-wide. This is evident when you see world teams with a significant number of players born or living overseas.

National anthems played before every game will bring a since of pride to every fixture, we hope to draw in crowds representing these communities. Our venues will cater for community and national stores offering everything from food, music, and promotion of national pride.

We hope the project will not only produce footballers and develop youth football but will also support the development of confidence and interest in countries of origin, therefore celebrating British cultural but knowing their family traditional and pride also.