Omar’s Story
“I want my people to live in peace and feel the stability again. But to […]
December 16, 2022International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD)
Today, Sunday 03 December, marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD). While we […]
December 3, 2022Double your donation with match funding
This week only (1 – 8 December 2022), your donations to Hands Up’s Singing for […]
December 1, 2022Don’t donate this #GivingTuesday
This Giving Tuesday, we’re asking you to hold off on making donations…for a few days. […]
November 29, 2022Help Syrians while you shop this Black Friday
With everyone feeling the pinch this year, many of us will be using the Black […]
November 23, 2022World Children’s Day
20th November, 2022 Since 1954, the 20th November has marked UNICEF’s World Children’s Day. It […]
November 20, 2022Singing for Syrians returns for a star-studded evening of song
The annual Singing for Syrians campaign is back, and this year it’s bigger and brighter […]
November 17, 2022Cholera outbreak continues to spread across Syria
Tragically, since our last blogpost, Cholera has continued to spread across Syria. Since August, the […]
November 7, 202250 hands provided by Hands Up
On Tuesday, after a long journey from London, 50 Koalaa prosthetics arrived in Syria. Although […]
November 1, 2022Cholera outbreak in Syria
Cholera. Easily preventable, yet potentially life-threatening. Devastatingly, this is the reality that many in Syria […]
October 10, 2022Shining a spotlight on children’s healthcare in Syria this Child Health Day
The Syrian conflict has had a devastating impact on the availability of healthcare for people […]
October 3, 2022Early bird tickets on sale for our Singing for Syrians Carol Concert
Tickets have gone on sale for our Signing for Syrians Carol Concert, which raises money […]
September 30, 2022Health Clinic team helping Syrians access essential healthcare
Since the start of the conflict in Syria, 70% of medical staff have left the […]
September 26, 2022This International Day of Peace, our CEO, Rose Essam, reflects on the Syrian conflict and the role we can play in supporting those impacted
It has been more than eleven years since Syria’s conflict started. Eleven years of deadly […]
September 21, 2022Singing for Syrians Carol Concert is back!
Our special Signing for Syrians Carol Concert, which raises money for Syria’s most vulnerable, is […]
September 20, 2022Syria Still Matters
As the Syrian conflict enters its 12th year, it matters more than ever to remember […]
September 8, 2022Hands Up is helping Syrian students head “back to school”
As pupils and students across the UK get ready to head back to school, so […]
August 22, 2022Meet the Refugee Women making Sustainable Period Pads to fight the Rising Costs in Lebanon
Recently in Lebanon, the situation of Syrian refugees has become steadily worse due to the […]
February 21, 2022Feras Al-Ghadban: The Syrian doctor who founded a medical organisation in Lebanon
This month, I would like to talk about another success story of Syrians in Lebanon. […]
January 24, 2022What is the Hands Up Foundation?
Hands Up is an innovative charity that funds health and education programmes in Syria and […]
January 5, 2022Meet 11-year-old Ramadan
Ramadan is a student at Sawa school in the Bekaa Valley. Alongside 300 other Syrian […]
December 14, 2021Thousands of Syrian children in Lebanon dream of a real education
The education system in Lebanon is at risk of collapse, with devastating consequences for children, […]
December 7, 2021The Big Give Christmas Challenge
This winter, Hands Up has been selected to take part in The Big Give Christmas […]
November 10, 2021Press Release: Extraordinary UK charities come together at Lambeth Palace for Twelve Days of Christmas
This Christmas, UK charities are coming together at London’s historic Lambeth Palace for a unique […]
November 5, 2021Christmas cards designed by Rory Hutton
We are delighted to be collaborating with Rory Hutton on our Christmas cards again this year. […]
November 3, 2021Jellyfish – a Syrian startup based in Beirut
We have often heard success stories of Syrian refugees in their various host countries, but […]
September 22, 2021On the first anniversary of the Beirut port explosion
The 4th of August has become an ominous date that will remain engraved in the […]
August 17, 2021Press Release: Peter Capaldi to make BBC Radio 4 Appeal for Hands Up
Actor, director and writer Peter Capaldi makes a BBC Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of […]
August 2, 2021Happy Eid al-Adha – عيد أضحى سعيد
Today Muslims will celebrate Eid al-Adha, which is one of their two holidays, or “Eids”. […]
July 19, 2021The recent financial crisis in Syria and Lebanon and its impact on the Syrian community
Syria and Lebanon are neighbouring countries. Some relations and interests bind the two countries and […]
June 9, 2021Zakat el-Fitr: A month of giving
In the lead up to Eid el-Fitr (the Festival of the Breaking of Fast), we […]
April 29, 2021Ramadan Mubarak!
Today – 12th April – is the first day of Ramadan – the most sacred […]
April 12, 2021Introducing Oula, Hands Up’s resident blogger!
I am glad to be part of the Hands Up Foundation and to write as […]
April 8, 2021April’s Programme Report
Programme Report – April 2021 March this year marked ten years since the start of […]
April 5, 2021Rawan’s story
In February 2020, all schools and education centres were closed for Lebanon’s first lockdown to […]
April 1, 2021Five SAMS medical staff injured in airstikes on Al-Atareb surgical hospital
On Sunday, 21st March at 8.20am local time, three artillery strikes targeted the SAMS-supported Al-Atareb […]
March 22, 2021Ten years on we must not accept Syria’s status quo
Today is an important marker: it is ten years since the Syrian conflict began. It’s […]
March 15, 2021Jonathan Dove’s ‘Out of Time’, a filmed performance by the Sacconi Quartet
Against the dramatic backdrop of a derelict Victorian theatre, Sacconi Quartet perform a moving rendition […]
March 10, 2021Celebrating International Women’s Day with Pink Jinn
As International Women’s Day – on the 8th March – is fast approaching, what better […]
March 2, 2021Meet Maryam, a midwife at the SAMS Medical Clinic we support
The reproductive health clinic at the medical centre in Tel Abyad, north Syria, run by […]
February 22, 2021Spreading light in a time of darkness – literally!
We’re over the moon to announce that Pooky and Hands Up have collaborated. What fantastic […]
January 14, 2021Reflecting on this year and looking ahead to a brighter – but by no means less challenging – 2021
As the nightmare that is 2020 draws to an end, our impulse to try to […]
December 23, 2020Earl’s Court Film Festival 2020
We’re very proud to be supported by Earl’s Court Film Festival for the second year […]
October 26, 2020Join our Smarties Challenge!
When social distancing makes fundraising trickier, Smarties have the answer! Join our Smarties Challenge and help us […]
October 23, 2020An account from the Turkish Syrian border, October 2020
George Butler spent a week meeting our partners in Gaziantep in October 2020, these are […]
October 16, 2020A new collection of ‘Damascus’ Silk Scarves & Pocket Squares designed exclusively for Hands Up by Rory Hutton
We’re very excited to announce a collaboration with award-winning artist, designer and historian Rory Hutton, who has […]
October 13, 2020Meet 8-year-old Ibrahim and his older sister, our school in Lebanon’s two newest students
It is the beginning of the week and today, like last Monday and the Monday […]
July 20, 2020Help us get through COVID-19 & sustain our work for vulnerable Syrian communities
COVID-19 has cancelled all our events this summer, which would have raised £70,000. Please support […]
June 29, 2020What COVID-19 means for the school we support in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon
Amid the world’s rising fears of the coronavirus outbreak spreading to more countries at an […]
May 27, 2020Q&A with our Trustees: Jack
In a new series of blogs across the year we’re conducting, Hands Up have decided […]
May 4, 2020Providing prosthetics to children in need across the world
Mitt Wearables create comfortable, easy-to-fit, user-friendly prosthetic limbs. This article was written by Nicholas Mellor, Mitt Wearables […]
April 7, 2020Al Hakawati الحكواتي (The Storyteller)
Storytelling is one of Syria’s greatest traditions and Al Hakawati holds a special place in […]
April 6, 2020APPEAL – Emergency medical supplies for Idlib
Urgent funds are needed for medical supplies in Idlib Donate online here The situation in North […]
February 26, 2020Q&A with our Trustees: Louisa
In a new series of blogs across the year we’re conducting, Hands Up have decided […]
February 24, 2020Shabaanee!
Hands Up’s regular blogger, Melie Pemberton, a teacher currently living in Beirut, has sent us […]
February 3, 2020Update from Melie Pemberton our teacher on the ground in Lebanon
Hands Up’s new regular blogger, Melie Pemberton, a teacher currently living in Beirut, has sent […]
October 30, 2019Hands Up receives Jusoor’s Bridges Award for transforming Syrian Lives
The Hands Up Foundation were awarded Jusoor’s Bridges Award on 4 October at Jusoor’s 6th […]
October 11, 2019Stories from a teacher in Lebanon – Melie Pemberton
This is a picture of one of the lovely Syrian families I met whilst working […]
October 1, 2019Introducing Melie Pemberton, our new Beirut Blogger
Hands Up is thrilled to introduce our new regular blogger, Melie Pemberton. Melie is a […]
September 9, 2019Unlawful Airstrike closes Hands Up Primary Health Clinic
On Monday morning at 9am, the Primary Health Clinic supported by Hands Up, and managed […]
May 9, 20198 Years Gone: “As we reach the eight-year mark of this bitter conflict, I am asking you to raise your hand to do something positive to help.”
Eight years ago, I was living in Damascus. Before arriving in 2010, I had only […]
February 1, 2019Readings from Singing for Syrians: Lament for Syria
Lament for Syria is a poem written by Amineh Abou Kerech, winner of the 2017 Betjamin […]
January 31, 2019Readings from Singing for Syrians: In Memoriam (Ring Out, Wild Bells)
This beautiful poem by the great Lord Tennyson was read by the Attorney General, Geoffrey […]
From Gaziantep to the Syrian border, by Ruth Quinlan
16th – 19th October 2018 The team: Rose, Louisa, Amanda: Hands up Foundation director, founder […]
November 1, 2018Eid al Adha – a time for compassion – and never has Syria needed it more
Eid Al-Adha is a celebration that brings happiness and joy to many communities across the […]
August 21, 2018Seeing the Syrian border first hand
In early May, three of us went to the Turkish border with Syria, to meet […]
June 11, 2018Seven years into Syria’s conflict; there is still so much that can and must be done
15th March 2018 Today marks the seventh year of the conflict in Syria. I remember […]
March 15, 2018Rebuilding Syria’s Healthcare
A great piece of analysis from Abdulkarim Ekzayez, a Syrian medical doctor, discussing whether the […]
March 7, 2018Urgent Idlib Appeal – raising £60,000 for vital health services in Idlib
It takes violence of unprecedented levels for Syria to be newsworthy at the moment. Perhaps […]
February 15, 2018New monthly Syrian Supper Clubs launch in South London, West London and Bristol
We are very excited to announce that monthly Syrian Supper Clubs are launching in three new locations […]
January 31, 2018Airstrikes lead to evacuation of Primary Health Clinic and temporary closure of Kindergarten
On the 7th January 2018 the Primary Health Clinic supported by Hands Up, and managed […]
January 9, 2018Readings from Singing for Syrians: First Visit To Damascus By Train 1928
The final reading of the service was given by Colin Thubron, the acclaimed travel writer. […]
December 19, 2017Readings from Singing for Syrians: Just William Meets Violet Elizabeth
The fourth reading of the service absolutely brought the house down. Martin Jarvis, narrator of […]
December 18, 2017Readings from Singing for Syrians: Sam’s Christmas Pudding
The 2nd reading at our flagship carol service was this excellent monologue by Marriott Edgar, […]
December 16, 2017Marmalaid is BACK
The Hands Up Foundation / Abel & Cole team up continues apace, with our sold […]
December 15, 2017Readings from Singing for Syrians: Five Letters To My Mother by Nizar Qabbani
This poem, the first reading at the Hands Up flagship carol service, is by Nizar […]
December 14, 2017Why we must not forget Syria – George Butler’s address at Singing for Syrians
George, Trustee and Founder of Hands Up, gave the address at 2017’s flagship Singing for […]
December 13, 2017Singing for Syrians flashmob raises the roof of Marylebone Station
Rush hour commuters at Marylebone Station got a festive surprise last Friday, courtesy of Singing […]
December 6, 2017Singing for Syrians – Flagship Carol Service at St Margaret’s, Westminster
Join us for Hands Up’s flagship Singing for Syrians‘ carol service at St Margaret’s, Westminster on Tuesday 12th […]
November 20, 2017Gift Aid – The Low Down on increasing your donation by 25%
You may have noticed that in doing your good deeds for Hands Up, we often […]
November 15, 2017Hands Up and Abel & Cole’s partnership
For the last three years, Abel & Cole and Hands Up have been working together, […]
October 18, 2017The Grand Souk of Prizes at Syria, Food for Thought
At Syria, Food for Thought this Thursday, 12th October, we will be inviting everyone to pledge […]
October 9, 2017A Spotlight on Spirit of Syria
This week we wanted to put the spotlight on ‘Spirit of Syria’, a visual heritage project […]
September 29, 2017What Your Support Means…to our friends in Syria
At Hands Up, we spend a huge amount of time making sure we know exactly […]
September 14, 2017Singing for Syrians 2017 is here!
Singing for Syrians 2017 is here and we’re launching it in the House of Commons […]
September 13, 2017Tickets are now on sale for Hands Up’s party: Syria, Food for Thought on 12th October – book quick!
Tickets are go – grab yours here Hands Up is back with a party this […]
August 25, 2017The people behind Hands Up; the Board and the Team
THE TRUSTEES George Butler, Chair George is an award-winning artist and illustrator specialising in travel […]
June 25, 2017Cycling for Syria! These lads are taking on the challenge, raising money for Hands Up as they go…
Check this out people, Lucas, Adam and Lucas are cycling the length of the Pyrenees […]
June 20, 2017Hands Up newsletter – June 2017
Here’s the latest newsletter with everything that Hands Up has been doing, from new partners […]
June 9, 2017
A fabulous community sponsorship programme taking shape for Syrian refugees
This is a prime example of people bothering to get up and do something and […]
June 3, 2017Syria, Food for Thought – SAVE THE DATE
Brace yourselves people, because Hands Up has a party coming to town… get the date […]
May 21, 2017In May we spent a few days on the Syrian Turkish border meeting partners and visiting projects…
Sitting in an office in London (or anywhere in the UK) it is hard to […]
May 16, 2017While in Gaziantep in May, we had the opportunity to speak with one of the doctors we fund at a primary health clinic in southern rural Aleppo, this is what he had to say…
Gaziantep, 10th May 2017, 12:55pm While meeting with staff from SAMS office in Gaziantep, we […]
May 15, 2017Hands Up for Art?!
We went down to Park Loft Studios today to drop off some MarmalAid for their […]
April 3, 2017MarmalAid goes north
#MarmalAid sales are on in Little Dockray, Penrith at #marmaladeawards. Come and see us! ? #penrithgoesorange #handsupfoundation […]
March 18, 2017A letter to those who sang for Syrians in 2016 – raising over £140k!
Dear Singers, Thank you for all you did to raise money for some of Syria’s […]
March 10, 2017MarmalAid – you spread on your toast, we’ll spread the love
Marmalade, the taste, smell and sight of it on toast conjures up different feelings for […]
February 14, 2017This schoolgirl is raising money for Hands Up by shaving her head, we are VERY impressed!
Yeshe, in year six at Queen Anne’s School, is bravely shaving her head to raise […]
February 7, 2017Hands Up – the latest, our first newsletter…
Dear all, We are very excited to send you Hands Up’s first official newsletter – it has […]
November 6, 2016L’Institut Francais are holding a screening of ‘Farouk, besieged like me’ by Mouhassaron Mithli
Check l’Institut Francais’ website for tickets… In this deeply personal documentary, veteran Syrian documentarian Hala […]
July 3, 2016A letter on how to help Syrian refugees
Dear friends, Many of you have been asking where and how you can help Syrian […]
September 3, 2015Making MarmalAid in 2015
Check out this video of MarmalAid making by the very lovely people at North 19 […]
March 3, 2015A story of marmalade and a tale of two trees
Remembering the weeks running up to March 2011, when the streets of the city were […]
August 3, 2012We had a Syrian Pop Up – throwback to our first Syrian Supper…
26th July 2012 Tonight we have our first Syrian pop-up restaurant. It is a […]
July 26, 2012