International Women's Day | Nabila's Story | How Upbeat Supports Refugee Women

At Upbeat Communities, we are proud to support many incredible women seeking refuge in Derby. On International Women’s Day, we wanted to share one woman’s story of finding hope and belonging at Upbeat.

Nabila’s Story (name changed)

“My name is Nabila, I am from the Middle East. I came to Derby one year ago. I was scared and alone. I could not speak English and I knew nothing. I could not even write my name.

I came to Upbeat Communities and my English teacher told me, ‘Don’t be scared. You can speak English! You can talk. You are a strong woman!’

Other Upbeat staff members asked me what I needed, and found it for me. They found me clothing, shoes, and a coat.

One day, I came to Upbeat and I was very sad. I cry, cry, cry. I met Grace (Upbeat Staff). She talked to me, and afterwards she called me to ask how I was doing. I could not believe that people would care about me in this way. People not the same as me, people from a different country, but beautiful people. They told me, ‘Don’t worry, we will do this for you.’ This was big for me.

At Upbeat, I made friends from many other countries who speak my language. It is like my family. They are good people.

I lived in the hotel in Derby for six months. It was very difficult. I used to just cry in the night, and cry because I did not understand the language.

But after I came to Upbeat, the English class changed everything. I can write, I can talk, I can pronounce words in the right way. My tutor at Upbeat gave me the power for life, the power for everything. Anything I needed help with, I asked him, and he helped.

I don’t know how to explain it all but I love Upbeat. Thank you so much, Upbeat!”

Upbeat Communities supports refugee women primarily through Upbeat Women — our weekly support group with activities ranging from creative therapy sessions, to immigration information. Recently, we’ve supported members of the group to run their own sessions sharing their culture with others in the group.

Follow us on social media for updates about this life-giving project and the opportunities it creates for refugee women in Derby. Or, you can make a one-off or monthly donation toady to sustain this work so that more refugee women like Nabila can have their hope and dignity restored through community.