There is a quiet magic that unfolds when young people feel safe; the gentle kind – the kind that builds trust, sparks laughter, and nurtures confidence. It’s in these safe spaces that growth happens. And in a small community kitchen in the heart of St Andrews Youth Club, that magic was alive.

Ten young people each with a unique story came together. They came from different countries, spoke three different languages, and had walked very different paths. What they shared were the invisible weights: the loneliness of arriving in a new country, the confusion and disbelief of having their ages disputed, and the ache of being away from family. They were unaccompanied asylum seekers, navigating the world alone, but determined to find connection, purpose, and joy.

This coming together was for Refugee Youth Service’s recent quarterly outing, and this time the heartbeat of the outing was a group cooking session. Each young person brought a recipe from home, creating a menu of dishes such as Afghan Pilau, Sudanese Shaya and Borani Banjan. Together, over the space of a few hours, they cooked memories, resilience and love into every bite.

 

 

There is something sacred about cooking with others. It builds community and it breaks down walls. From chopping to seasoning, from scrubbing pots to serving plates, every hand was involved. No professional chefs, just young people pouring everything they had into meals that reminded them of who they are, and of home. And when the food was served, it was more than delicious—it was healing. Every mouthful was met with smiles, laughter, and that rare feeling of fullness that goes beyond the stomach.

But the magic didn’t end at the table. After the dishes were cleared and the spices packed away, out came the games. FIFA 25 and Uno took over. The language barriers? They dissolved. You don’t need to speak the same tongue to laugh over a close match, to high-five a teammate, or to plot your next Uno reversal. And in those games, identities flourished and friendships were built.

 

 

For unaccompanied minors in the UK, the struggle is real and often overwhelming. Many face long waiting periods for legal status, limited access to education, racial discrimination, and the psychological toll of trauma and separation. They are often placed in housing far from other young people, with few resources to support their emotional or social development.

That’s why spaces like these—safe, inclusive, joyful spaces—are not optional. They are essential.

A kitchen becomes more than a place to cook; it becomes a place to heal, to connect, to remember. A game of pool becomes more than entertainment; it becomes a way to build trust, to express identity, and to create community.

Safe spaces are where the magic happens. Not the wand-waving, fairy tale kind—but the kind that brings young people back to life. So here’s to Afghan Pilau, to Sudanese tea, to Uno and FIFA. Here’s to every young person who stepped into that kitchen and enjoyed not only a meal, but a moment of home.

And as we mark Refugee Week, it’s the perfect time to highlight and celebrate the power of these safe spaces. In a world that too often views refugees through the lens of hardship alone, the magic experienced in these spaces remind us of their resilience, creativity, and the simple, beautiful act of coming together. 

A special shout out and heartfelt Thank You to St Andrew’s Youth Club for hosting us and welcoming us into their wonderful community space.