Southampton Action work to support refugees, asylum seekers and other vulnerable groups in Southampton by collecting donations for distribution to those in the local area and further afield.

Yesterday we went to help them out at CLEAR for the first time with their monthly essentials distribution event where clients can come in and browse through donated items that they are then able to take free of charge.

We arrived and met our fellow volunteers, a lovely diverse group of people including refugees who had all come along to help. We received a very comprehensive and at times moving briefing telling us about the task at hand and the impact it would have on clients.

We were tasked with clearing the office space, then unloading a van full of donations (yes it was that full!) and moving the homeware donations upstairs before presenting the items for display.

Some of the boxes and bags were extremely heavy and Wilson and Lauren spent a considerable amount of time lifting a lot of boxes up a very narrow set of stairs. Its fair to say we were absolutely exhausted and we took a quick breather before getting back to help setting up the room for display.

Wilson got to work folding and displaying towels (finding the cow 🐄 and dinosaur 🦕 gems which simply had to be tried on) and Lauren was in charge of crockery and the odd curtain.

Once we had finished setting up Philip arrived and helped assist the refugees who had arrived to help make their selections.

We were incredibly moved by the work which Southampton Action do and will definitely be returning. A real difference was made and it was a true goodgym workout!