“Hosting gave me a sense of belonging and community when I needed it the most.”┃ How Hosting Changed Selena’s Life

Could you use your spare room to help us end refugee homelessness in Derby and Nottingham?

Imagine sitting in a classroom, where you are trying to learn a new language, but your eyes keep falling shut. It’s not because the lesson is boring, but because the night before, you sheltered in a shop doorway - barely able to sleep because you were terrified of being attacked by someone.

This is the reality for many participants we see in our Integration Hub. Every day, refugees—many under the age of 25— arrive at our classes completely exhausted. They have no where safe to call home.

In 2025, 253 refugees had been found sleeping rough. That number has risen from 16 people in 2023. This is a growing crisis.

The hardest part of our job at Upbeat, is that when they ask for help, we have to say that there is nothing we can do. Not for a lack of compassion but simply because we do not have enough hosts.

To understand how important a safe space is to a refugee rebuilding their life, we want to introduce you to Selena (name changed).

Selena arrived in Derby at just 20 years old and has been helped through our hosting schemes. Watch her story below and hear for yourself just how hosting changed her life:

You can also click this link: https://youtu.be/0WIuKvDnixc?si=KWpx_qMp_BYfxwiv

Selena was one of the lucky ones. Right now, many others are being turned away because we do not have enough hosts to meet the need. You could be the solution.

If you have a spare room in Derby or Nottingham, we invite you to explore becoming a host. Whether you choose to do it voluntarily or as a live-in landlord, Upbeat will support you every step of the way.

Not sure if it’s for you? Come and chat with us.

We are hosting information sessions on Zoom this June. There’s no commitment and no pressure—just a chance to hear more stories, understand the process, and ask your questions. Sign up to the information session using the button below.

If you can’t make the session but want to learn more, email us at hosting@upbeatcommunities.org.

If you aren't in a position to host right now, please share this blog with someone who might be. Your share could be the reason someone finds a safe place to sleep tonight.

Together, we can make sure that the next time a student walks into our classroom, they aren't looking for a place to sleep—they're ready to learn.

Source for statistics : Derby Homes