Oxford charity is transforming lives of refugee women

Syrian Sisters, based in Oxford and led by founder Nuha Abdo, supports women from Muslim backgrounds to build new lives through friendship, practical support, and skill-building opportunities.

The group brings together women from Syria, Afghanistan, Yemen, and beyond, offering a safe and welcoming space to connect, grow, and gain confidence in their new surroundings.

Ms Abdo, who previously worked for the Danish Refugee Council in Syria before becoming a refugee herself, said: “I used to work for refugee rights at my hometown in Syria.

“Then I became one myself.”

She described life in Syria before the war as full of purpose, working for refugees and empowering women through international organisations, but everything changed after the outbreak of conflict in 2011.

By 2014, she and her husband were forced to seek asylum in the UK, while her family scattered across Europe and the Middle East.

Despite her qualifications, Ms Abdo said adjusting to life in the UK was not easy.

Ms Abdo said: “I didn’t realise, that now more than being a refugee, I had to justify an added layer of being a Muslim woman.”

Determined to create something positive, she reached out to other refugee women in Oxford and started a small WhatsApp group for Syrian women.

This informal network quickly grew into Syrian Sisters, which now welcomes women from many backgrounds and countries.

The group meets weekly and offers a sense of home and belonging for women and children.

It also provides English classes, driving lessons, sewing workshops, and computer literacy training to help women gain independence and find work.

One member, Mariam, arrived in the UK from Syria more than a decade ago with limited English and no work experience.

Today, she manages the group’s admin and serves as an interpreter for community members.

Syrian Sisters is now registered as a charity and operates with the support of donations and partner organisations such as Islamic Relief.

One of its key projects is preparing Ramadan food baskets, which are distributed to families in need around Oxford.

The charity also runs a homework club for children, supported by University of Oxford student volunteers who help with science, English, and maths.

Ms Abdo said: “Go ask anyone in the city about us and they will tell you about the amazing bake sales we do or social activities for women and children.”

The group is partnered with Damascus Rose Kitchen, a restaurant in Oxford fully run and managed by refugee women.

The restaurant doubles as a community hub and a place for women to gain work experience and build confidence.

Maha, the head waitress, arrived in the UK at age 12 and was separated from her family.

She began volunteering with Syrian Sisters and credits the group for helping her learn English, budgeting, customer service, and other essential skills.

Ms Abdo said: “She is our customers’ favourite and a very bright soul.

“Had she not found a community at a young age, her parents would have married her off by now because that seems like a more convenient and stable option for many such vulnerable refugee families.”

Maha now leads the restaurant and supports her family, who have since joined her in the UK.

She hopes to pursue hotel management and start her own business in the future.

Syrian Sisters has been supporting women for 12 years and continues to grow.

Ms Abdo describes the UK as her new home, though memories of Syria remain painful due to the conflict and the loss of her father.

She believes the group demonstrates the value refugee women can bring to the UK if given the chance.

Amidst this, Syrian Sister prove that refugees, especially women, when provided by security, dignity and support, power through and adapt themselves to their new reality and provide monetary and social worth not just to their immediate families but to the economy as well.

Some names have been changed to protect the identity of individuals.