Connections sustain us...... by Taran

As the year wraps up, I’ve been thinking about what Derbyshire Refugee Solidarity means to me and just fancy telling anyone who’ll listen.

This place has my whole heart.

It’s a room full of people who’ve left behind their homes, their families, and everything they know. And every single day, “home” gets redefined here. Together, we’ve built a shared one - filled with empathy and unshakable resilience.

There’s so much love in this space. You can feel it in the misunderstandings we work through, the music, the tears, the quiet nods of understanding, and every. single. handshake.

Being here has taught me that we owe each other everything. Community, trust, respect, empathy, and solidarity. Individualism is a myth - connection sustain us.

Within these walls, I’ve travelled the world. I’ve found a family I didn’t even know I was searching for. It’s magic—so much humanity bursting at the seams. We’ve gone through heartbreak, life-changing wins, and everything in between.

DRS is proof of what happens when we recognise our shared humanity and interdependence. It’s a space where people feel safe, seen, and loved. I feel so lucky to have been a part of it for so many years.

To everyone here - for the love, the lessons, the memories, and for being the fiercest, funniest, and kindest group of people I’ve ever met - thank you. I’m better because of you all. Changed my life, changed me. A little piece of my heart will always be right here.