Refugee women鈥檚 choir make their voices heard with support from 91直播 researcher
A choir of refugee and asylum-seeking women in the UK are making their voices heard with support from a University of Manchester researcher.
In January 2026 began facilitating a singing group at the UK charity . Now the choir, named 鈥�Voices of Hope鈥� by its members, are participating in the Million Acts of Hope campaign with the release of their first original song .
Fatima explains: 鈥淚鈥檓 a musician and researcher and my work focuses on the link between music, health and wellbeing, particularly as a strategy for organising towards more just futures. An important strand of this research is practice-based, trying to develop and understand what musical practices foster and create spaces for care, creativity and hope.
鈥淲ith the 鈥榁oices of Hope鈥� choir we鈥檝e found that singing is a collective act that can be used to create space. We start and end each choir session in a close circle, singing together to create a geography of togetherness through sound.
鈥淪inging together can mirror social processes, rehearsing for the futures we dream of. For example, the choir wrote a song to ask the other members how they are - the song functions as an act of care and connection that goes beyond just asking 'how are you?' because of the shared sung element that creates a common experience."
鈥淪inging together can mirror social processes, rehearsing for the futures we dream of. For example, the choir wrote a song to ask the other members how they are - the song functions as an act of care and connection that goes beyond just asking 'how are you?' because of the shared sung element that creates a common experience."
Jane, a member of Voices of Hope, told : 鈥淭he Choir brings us together as one, despite our different backgrounds and the struggles we face. Through singing this song, we have found unity and comfort in each other. It has given me a sense of belonging, it reminds me that I am not alone and has helped me to heal emotionally because music allows me to express feelings that are hard to put into words. Even in difficult times, the Choir reminds me that I can be joyful and strong.鈥�
is a national invitation to celebrate the everyday acts of kindness, care and connection happening across the UK from 13-20 May. It brings together charities, communities and faith groups to celebrate the everyday acts of kindness, care and connection happening across the UK.
Dr Fatima Lahham is an early career researcher who is working within our Geography department on a Hallsworth Research Fellowship. Find out more about Dr Fatima Lahham鈥檚 research on her .