How GoodGym transformed the lives of asylum seekers

May 17, 2024

Kamal finds GoodGym

It was Spring 2023, Kamal had been in the UK for a year in old student accommodation patiently awaiting his asylum application to be processed. It was depressing. Isolated from family and stripped of his ability to be productive, he reached out to his doctor hoping for a way out of these feelings. His doctor recommended he try a friendly group of people called GoodGym.

Enjoying his first session and the opportunity to give something back to the town that provided him shelter, his spirits were lifted. The next week he brought a friend from his accommodation, and the next week, another. Within a few weeks GoodGym Luton had a strong contingent of asylum members. Like Kamal, they had been taken from their skilled careers and busy lives, to waiting in limbo.

GoodGym Luton changes forever

Ill-informed organisations or language barriers had stopped Kamal and his friends from securing regular volunteering opportunities despite endless attempts. They were tired of doing nothing. Suddenly, GoodGym offered a way to make friends and get active in the community. It was perfect. GoodGymers were friendly and welcoming, the sessions required only a limited understanding of English and they quickly became part of the team anytime they arrived. For any harder to explain situations, Kamal was always on hand to translate.

Regular attendance led to improved English skills. The casual nature of GoodGym sessions left plenty of opportunity for moments of learning, and asking for clarification on the many idioms of the English language. By becoming GoodGymers, Kamal and his friends had a regular reason to socialise, practise English, exercise, and connect with the community.

GoodGym Luton welcomed more than 20 asylum seekers that year.

Musa and Yasin lead the way

Two of GoodGym Luton’s most dedicated asylum seekers, Musa and Yasin, quickly became part of the core group. Their availability during the day and eagerness to get involved meant Area Activator David could take on more sessions than ever before. Where once the thought of a midweek, daytime task was a pipedream, now he could rely on GoodGymers like Musa and Yasin to be there. Their good deeds increased rapidly and by Christmas 2023 they’d earnt a black GoodGym t-shirt, representing 50 good deeds completed. Now in May 2024, Musa is at 100.

The challenges of seeking asylum

Asylum seekers are at the will of the Home Office. After setting down roots in an area, they may be relocated on as little as 24 hours notice with very little explanation. The peak of recent memory being the Bibby Stockholm, a barge housing asylum seekers in regularly reported, sub-par, or prison-like conditions.

Ashkan (bottom right), a Luton GoodGymer at the time, was regrettably relocated last year, losing the connections he had built in an instant with his access to GoodGym severed simultaneously. His ability to integrate into a community and socialise was taken away, ensuring the transition was all the more difficult without a similar opportunity waiting for him on the other side. After 4 months on the barge Ashkan received leave to remain in the UK and was again relocated, this time into London.

If moving within the UK, GoodGymers are able to find their feet much quicker by connecting with the branch of GoodGym in their new area. Eshan, a GoodGymer formerly from Slough, was able to reconnect with GoodGym after noticing the iconic red t-shirt in church after a move to Luton.

Musa, Yasin and Derrick describe what finding GoodGym has done for them

Musa

Before leaving Sierra Leone, Musa ran a commercial delivery business for over 10 years. He describes being an asylum seeker as “depressing, almost leading me to mental health issues until I joined GoodGym”.

He says “I revitalised my life through volunteering as a way of saying thank you to Luton for housing and supporting me”,“I integrated [with] lovely and friendly people that contributed to changing my lonely situation”.

Musa also states that by running, walking and cycling to tasks he is more active than ever before. Plus, his understanding of English gets better everyday by his interactions at sessions.

Yasin

A successful property agent in Uganda, Yasin was forced to find a new way to spend his time after arriving in the UK. Despite this, he says “I am so blessed to have this opportunity”.

“Since joining GoodGym Luton I [gained] a wide experience of nature conservation and gardening… working in partnership with different charities helped me gain positive working relationships which resulted in getting a job at Luton Council as a ground maintenance worker”. He attributes his securing this role to the transferable skills he was able to learn as a member of GoodGym. “GoodGym Luton is a family… I really appreciate all your support and dedication”.

Derrick

“Before joining GoodGym life didn't seem to be life. Being an asylum seeker comes with a lot of mental and psychological struggles. Before I was introduced to GoodGym, I used to spend most of the time in my room extremely depressed [and] confused, it became worse being on social media platforms where you find a lot of hatred geared towards asylum seekers”.

“I would like to thank my friends Musa and Yasin who introduced me to the GoodGym, [and to] David and the rest of the GoodGym members who received me with great reception”.

Derrick describes his introduction to GoodGym as a “light in the tunnel”. “ I confirmed there are genuinely good people who care for the greater good of the community. Since joining GoodGym I [now] have an amazing team [of] people I can call friends”.