For better or for WERS

6 Goodgymers helped their local community in Newcastle
Jack Laughton
Scott McDonald
Damu
Aimee
Thomas Mather
Anji Andrews
1 / 11
Newcastle

Monday 4th November

Credits
Jack Laughton
Jack Laughton

PHOTOGRAPHER

Scott McDonald
Scott McDonald

PHOTOGRAPHER

Damu
Damu

SOCIAL MEDIA

Anji Andrews
Anji Andrews

SESSION ORGANISER

REPORT WRITER

PHOTOGRAPHER

Find out about GoodGym TaskForce

Report written by Anji Andrews (she/her)

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It didn’t actually feel that long since we were last at WERS, the brilliant West End Refugee service, and when I looked at tonight’s sign ups it gave me a sense of Deja vu! The only new addition was Jack, and a great new addition he was. We met at One Strawberry Lane, our brilliant hub which I think will just get cosier as winter creeps in.

The standard quick catch up on the weekend’s sessions and news before it was time to set off. As it was almost even split of runners and walkers, I decided to flip the session tonight and do the fitness session first, making good use of St James’ Park steps! Heart rates raised and legs definitely feeling warmer, we then made it the short journey uphill to WERS where thankfully everything we needed was waiting for us. WERS is an amazing organisation in the west end, supporting refugees in our city with all kinds of support they need. We’d been asked back tonight to continue clearing and tidying up the back garden.

Tonight was one of those simple, satisfying tasks that truly made a difference. Under the epic floodlights- expertly perched in the trees thanks to Tom, we armed ourselves with rakes and brushes and set about clearing the garden which was almost knee-deep in leaves. Everyone put their backs into it while discussing the Halloween weekend gone by.

Before long the paths and gardens were cleared and the grass was once again visible. I think the task owner and service users will definitely see a difference tomorrow. This was one of those classic GoodGym sessions where team work makes a real impact.


This task supported

West End Refugee Service (WERS) is a registered charity that provides support and opportunities to people seeking asylum and refugees on Tyneside. We work to bring about positive change to the lives of people whose futures have been irrevocably changed by past events in their home country. Since 1999, we have delivered a range of integrated services to reduce levels of poverty, isolation, disadvantage and prejudice experienced by the people we support, as they navigate the asylum system in the UK. Our projects aim to help people regain control over their lives and rebuild a future here. We’re a team of thirteen staff and over 90 volunteers. We work with partners across the region to deliver our projects and services.

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