The Hands That Build
A photo project by Oscar Mucyo and Upbeat Communities for Refugee Week 2026.
These are The Hands That Build. They are hands that create, welcome, connect, and teach. This project reveals the profound contributions the refugee community make, or could make, to our society given the right opportunities.
(Names for this project are mostly pseudonyms)
Zayn
Barber from Iraq
“I love to cut people’s hair because I can talk to them, they trust you to do a good job. It is important to be social, get to know people.”
Amena
Teacher from Syria
“I was a teacher, looking after children. I enjoyed my job a lot. Now I come here (at Upbeat) with my children.”
Ömer
Electrician from Türkiye
“I was an electrician for a long time in my country. It was a good job, and I enjoyed being technical.”
Masood
Civil Engineer from Afghanistan
“I did a good job, I was a civil engineer for many years and I enjoyed it. I worked with a lot of people there. Now I come to Upbeat and learn English and volunteer because I can’t work yet.”
Hasan
Musician from Iraq
“I love to make music, no matter where you are from, it connects us. It is important to me.”
Rama
Engineer from Syria
“I was an engineer in my country, I had a good job that I enjoyed doing. Now I help to welcome refugees here in Derby with Upbeat. I love this job.”
Ahmad
Sports Teacher from Afghanistan
“I was a sports teacher, I loved it. I got to teach children all kinds of sports and also the importance of exercise for the body. I hope to do it again some day.”
Raj
Cook from South Asia
“I’ve always liked cooking with my mum. Being in the kitchen here (at Upbeat) reminds me of home.”
Tenzin
Translator from East Asia
“I was a translator in my country, I can speak many languages. Now I am here, and I have my status, I really want to move away and become a shepherd.”
Ali
Refugee Support Worker from Afghanistan
“I am proud to work at Upbeat because I love to empower people to rebuild their life here in the UK. It is hard, but it is important.”