This Christmas, there’s no family reunion for refugees.

They face complete isolation. They are miles away from family and friends. They may not speak English. They face the huge emotional challenges of loss, trauma and a difficult asylum system.

We’re taking part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge because we need to raise £20,000 to fund our Integration Hub — so we can be a second family to refugees.

“I'm happy to join with Upbeat, I feel that I am one of the family. And [it is] one family.”

- Mohammed, an Upbeat Participant

Not only will your donations allow us to keep our doors open to be a second home to those fleeing war and persecution, but it will help to fund our projects that allow refugees to integrate into the community. You could help to provide:

Free warm meals - the meals that refugees have with us allow them a place to eat together as they would back at home.
Free English classes - English classes break down language barriers and help people to integrate into their local community.
Support sessions - many refugees have to make hard journeys and difficult choices to get here. Many arrive to us with a lot of emotional trauma, and unfortunately their stresses don’t leave them as soon as they reach the UK, as they have to worry about building a new life for themselves. At Upbeat, we provide support, such as our Upbeat Women sessions, so that we can help to alleviate some of their stresses through art therapy, going on beautiful walks around the city, table tennis tournaments and much more.

Every pound donated to Upbeat will be DOUBLED between 12pm on 3rd December and 12pm on 10th December.

“The important thing about Upbeat is they listen to us. If we want to open up, to talk, they listen.” - Mohammed, an Upbeat Participant.

This is so that we can support refugees like Mohammed — providing a second home and a second family through English classes, support groups, meals and more from the Hub in the centre of Derby.

We’ll be sharing Mohammed’s story soon, so keep your eyes peeled on all our social media channels…