My Week of Work Experience at Upbeat Communities

My name is Jemimah and I’ve been working with Upbeat Communities for a week as work experience. Through connections I’ve known about Upbeat, I had an idea of what they do.

On Monday, I was overrun with nerves but as I got to the front door I was welcomed with a big smile from Lauren (Upbeat Staff). Slowly I was introduced to the rest of the team with warm smiles and eager questions. I felt relaxed and ready to start!

Aatifa (name changed) was the first to come into the café. I was excited but still a little timid not knowing what to say. Aatifa came over to me with a smile and asked me what my name was. I felt our roles had been mixed up: she was the one welcoming me into this loving community which she and many other refugees created together. I was the new one!

Helping English classes and doing arts and crafts activities at Upbeat Communities’ base hasn’t just been me helping those seeking refuge; they have helped me. I enjoy spending time with them, I feel confident and I can now make paper flowers!

I laughed with Gabriela (name changed) talking about snakes, I got beaten in table tennis more times than I care to admit and I’ve chatted and eaten 100 tons of bourbons. But, At the end of each day I’d remember the tough, upsetting scenes these people have faced and their resilience and ability to continue moving forward. I was constantly amazed by them. Their eagerness and constant questions when learning about verbs as they try to break those cultural obstacles is incredible.

One of the activities I was involved in was joining the resettlement team when visiting families. The work the team are doing is so supportive and beneficial for the families, all having moved in the last three months.

One family from the Middle East had been busy decorating and giving the house a personal touch. The mum's previous job as an interior designer opened the house to lots of lovely decor and pretty touches. Despite what they have been through, they were still pushing to make their house a home.

I watched as Grace (Upbeat Staff) listened intently and answered all of their questions. My journey on observing the team showed me the importance of Refugee Integration Workers and how little things I didn't even consider, like GP appointments, are things people need help with.

We went to the GP for the three children to get up to date with the vaccines in the UK. The scared daughter jumped into her dad's lap and kept squeezing his hand. Even so, you could see smiles in moments of happiness and plenty of laughs from the middle child’s funny jokes! I was grateful that I could help and show my support for them, and learn from Grace and Milad (Upbeat Staff) the difficulties and struggles that new families face. Although I’d be tired at the end of the day I now knew so much more than before about refugees and the process they must go through.

I’m going to miss making teas and coffees for everyone and miss conversations with the ladies who come to Upbeat Women. I want to say a big thank you to Upbeat Communities for giving me this opportunity! I’ve learnt so much and feel more confident to share the work that they do, teach others the current issues refugees have been facing, and show them how we can help.

Interested in doing a work placement with us? Drop us an email at hello@upbeatcommunities.org