Welcoming refugees in Derby.

We address the needs of those newly arrived in the UK, as well as supporting those who have been through the asylum process and have been granted refugee status. 

We work primarily in Derby, with some projects extending into Derbyshire and Lincolnshire. Our work falls into welcome, empowerment and awareness.

Welcome Boxes - our trained volunteers visit newly arrived refugees and deliver a Welcome Box, filled with small gifts and useful information. The volunteers offer friendship and support to those seeking asylum, helping them with things like registering with a GP or finding their way around their new city.

"It was a box of magic! It gave access to many open doors" - Welcome Box Recipient

"It's not important what's in the box, it's important what's in the heart" - Welcome Box Recipient

English Classes - not being able to speak English is one of the biggest barriers to integration for refugees and asylum seekers. We offer a variety of classes, from beginners through to advanced.

Upbeat Women - we offer specific provision for women seeking refuge as they often face particular challenges, such as caring for children. Our Upbeat Women group meets weekly as a place to build friendships and take part in wellbeing activities. We also offer a women’s only English class with free childcare every week.

“Thank you for all the effort you make to help us relieve some of the stress we live during the process and life in general. It’s great, so much fun and relaxing at the same time. It brings more positivity to our lives.” - Upbeat Women Participant

Upbeat Kids - we run a children’s summer holiday club for primary school aged kids, recognising that refugee and asylum seeker children have often had to deal with responsibilities far beyond their years. Through sports, drama and craft activities, Upbeat Kids gives refugee children the chance to be kids again.

Here’s what some of the kids had to say:

“Wonderful days and nice activities!”

“It was awesome!”

“Upbeat Kids was a really fun place to go. It was supportive and I was counting hours to go there. I really loved it — when it was one hour, I felt like one minute because things just pass so fast.”

Community Integration Activities - we offer a range of opportunities for refugees, asylum seekers and local people to come together in a shared space, to take part in activities, learn from each other and build friendships through sports, arts, wellbeing, cultural visits, children’s play sessions and community meals.

"I am alone in this country, with no mother or father or brother or sister or my husband, but when I met you everything changed. You became my brothers and sisters" - Project Participant

Employment & Enterprise - we deliver a range of training and mentoring to support refugees in finding work. This support is tailored to the needs of the participants and delivered flexibly to ensure appropriate engagement.

Resettlement Schemes - we are contracted by Derbyshire and Lincolnshire County Councils to support families across both counties through the UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS), Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP), and Afghan Citizens' Resettlement Scheme (ACRS). We empower refugees who arrive on these schemes so they can thrive in their new environment. Our team support with everything from doctor’s appointments to finding employment.

Emergency Accommodation - we run Host Derby to offer temporary, emergency accommodation for destitute asylum seekers.

"I stayed with a really nice and good family. They helped me so much, I didn't know people could be so kind." - Host Derby Guest

Social Enterprise Development - we have two social enterprises that provide employment opportunities as well as generate income for us to be able to carry out our charitable aims. These include Upbeat Clean, a cleaning business set up in 2021 to provide work for refugees, and Derby Language School, set up to provide language classes for local people and organisations.