Derbyshire Refugee Solidarity

Working to provide aid and support to refugees
DRS are part of a grassroots movement working to provide aid and support to refugees. Starting in August 2015, in response to the ever increasing refugee crisis

8 GoodGymers have supported Derbyshire Refugee Solidarity with 21 tasks.


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Previous sessions
DerbyCommunity mission
Gwyn Williams

Two to go too

Thursday 11th January

Written by Gwyn Williams

Two GoodGymers,Tracey and Gwyn, walked to the DRS; was it too cold? Did they know that there'd be no sunshine now? Gwyn's lesson was about homophones, and Tracey's about the weather. There was a cold drizzle on the way home. As always, there's a warm welcome there. All the refugees in Aston Court have been moved out and some are homeless. If you can offer them a place, please contact Upbeat Communities.

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DerbyCommunity mission
Gwyn Williams

Hats on to DRS

Thursday 30th November 2023

Written by Gwyn Williams

Tracey and Gwyn set off on a frosty morning with an icy wind to the warmth of the welcome at DRS. We heard the amazing and inspiring stories of some of the refugees, and heard the good news of M getting leave to remain. It was so good to hear the cheers! One of the great volunteers at Elvaston Castle and Gardens Trust, had knitted some cosy hats which will be distributed to the refugees. Walking back, we met some running friends and fellow GoodGymer Pete: he was running in shorts! Brrrrrr.

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DerbyGroup run
Pete EmeryGwyn Williams

Loitering with intent …

Tuesday 15th August 2023

Written by Gwyn Williams

... to run and chat with refugees. We loitered ten minutes after the start time but, despite all the publicity and the fine weather, no refugees came. Pete had been volunteering with them on Mondays, and Tracey and Gwyn on Thursdays. We failed to persuade two refugees walking past to join us! We decided to have a gentle run up the river, and a gentler run back among the Derby County supporters heading to the match, during which we met those two twice. Tracey's navigation skills made it a round 5k.

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DerbyCommunity mission
Gwyn Williams

T.W.O. S.E.T.S.

Saturday 29th July 2023

Written by Gwyn Williams

Tracey and I had a wonderful time at the DRS sports day. We arrived already warmed up with parkrun. Our first job was to help Charlie set up the course. Tracey had a great idea to fix a broken skipping "rope".

The refugees had a busy time with all the events:-

  • Three legged race
  • Welly wanging
  • Obstacle race
  • ~~~~~~
  • Sack race
  • Egg and spoon race
  • Tug o' war
  • Skipping race

We loved the forward roll finishes in the sack race, the excited children after winning the women v. children tug o'war, the delight of two young ladies winning the three legged race, the smiles and cheers at the medal ceremony, and, most of all, the joy and exhuberance of the participants. Thank you, every one!

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DerbyGroup run
Gwyn Williams

A wee dog coat

Thursday 13th July 2023

Written by Gwyn Williams

Tracey and Gwyn went to DRS to meet our old and new friends there. Our first chat was with Charlie, who told us that the Sports Day had been moved because of heavy rain forecast for tomorrow and Saturday. Many GoodGymers loved last year's event; it would be lovely to see you at this year's again! After an unusual English session where we talked about physics, we were ready to go. Tracey found a woman (not one of the refugees) collapsed in the Ladies who was the "worse for wear". We broke in and she revived after insisting that she wanted a wee and a dog coat! What an adventure. We finished off with a run in the park along the river.

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DerbyCommunity mission
Gwyn Williams

Foot-ball Friends

Thursday 15th June 2023

Written by Gwyn Williams

Tracey and I had the usual great time at DRS. We had a minute's silence remembering those in the disastrous shipwreck in Greece and the victims in Nottingham this week. The group with me worked on a football exercise and Tracey's had body parts and senses!

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