UK for UNHCR launches nationwide campaign to find the UK’s No 1 song of hope and solidarity

• The nation to nominate and vote on its favourite heart-warming #HopeHit, in solidarity with refugees this winter  
• Nominations feature on the Hope on Repeat playlist, with voting to crown the UK’s No 1 in January 2026 
• UK for UNHCR’s new Hope on Repeat podcast shares the #HopeHits of refugee and former refugee Storytellers ― and the inspirational reasons behind their choices 
• UK for UNHCR partners with Royal College of Music academic to explore music’s role in inspiring hope and community.  

London, 10th November 2025 – UK for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency’s national charity partner, launches its new winter campaign, ‘Hope on Repeat’, a nationwide search for the UK’s favourite #HopeHit – the inspirational songs that bring warmth and togetherness as the weather grows colder.  

Through the universal language of music and personal stories from refugees, the campaign aims to raise awareness and support for people fleeing war and persecution. 

This time of year is especially challenging for the millions of people forced to flee their homes in Afghanistan, Syria and Ukraine. The reality for many is that winter means surviving freezing temperatures in bomb damaged homes or with just a tent between them and the elements, without warm clothing and with no way to heat their shelters.  

Every #HopeHit nomination and vote helps UK for UNHCR raise awareness and vital funds to help displaced families survive winter with access to basic relief like warm clothing, shelter repairs and heating fuel.  

At the same time, UK for UNHCR’s Hope on Repeat podcast spotlights the power of music and storytelling through the personal stories from refugees. The podcast explores the songs that carried each Storyteller through displacement, loss and how they rebuilt their lives far from home. 

Vote for your #HopeHit 

Mark Macdonald, UK for UNHCR Director of Communications, said, “Hope on Repeat recognises that music brings people together ― a universal language that inspires memories of family, friends and home. We are inviting everyone in the UK to add their favourite feel-good song to help build this national playlist, as a way to show their support and stand with refugees across the globe. What song will you choose?”   

As people nominate their #HopeHit, the most popular songs will feature on the Hope on Repeat playlist a soundtrack of solidarity, unity and warmth as temperatures drop. People joining in can also donate to support winter relief. 

Nominations for the playlist and voting for the UK’s No 1 #HopeHit can be made at www.unrefugees.org.uk/hope. Voting closes on 14 January 2026 with the winner announced on Blue Monday, 19 January 2026. 

Hope on Repeat: The podcast sharing inspirational songs and stories  

Through storytelling and music, this five-part podcast series looks to inspire the nation with songs and stories of solidarity chosen by current and former refugees.  

Hosted by British poet Sophia Thakur, the podcast’s guests include Fatima, an ultramarathon runner from Afghanistan who advocates for women in sport, particularly those from Muslim communities; Maysa, a Syrian-born dancer and human rights advocate with a focus on women’s rights and freedom of expression; Mariia, a Ukrainian refugee using film and media as a tool for diplomacy and advocacy; and Smajo OBE, an educator, researcher and public speaker who survived the genocide in Bosnia and went on to found the Bosnian Genocide Educational Trust. 

UK for UNHCR is also working with Royal College of Music academic, Norbert Meyn, to explore the role of music in fostering understanding and connecting diverse communities. 

The Hope on Repeat podcast is available from www.unrefugees.org.uk/Hope 

UK for UNHCR CEO, Emma Cherniavsky, said, “I have just come back from Jordan and Syria, meeting with Syrian refugees and those returning home for the first time in many years. What stands out is the power of hope, and music is something that can really bring people together and help inspire that hope for a better future. 

“I’ve seen first-hand the challenges that winter brings to so many displaced people and so solidarity is needed now more than ever. Our Hope on Repeat campaign and the search for the UK’s No 1 Hope Hit has the power to unite us as we stand with refugees.” 

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For media enquiries, please contact:       

Sanjiv Winayak | [email protected] | +44 (0)777 336 270  

For up-to-date information about the global refugee situation, please visit: 

https://data.unhcr.org/en/situations 

About UK for UNHCR   

UK for UNHCR is the UN Refugee Agency’s national charity partner for the UK. We build solidarity, create partnerships and raise funds across the UK to help deliver global humanitarian relief for refugees through UNHCR’s work. unrefugees.org.uk    

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, leads international action to protect people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. It delivers lifesaving assistance like shelter, food and water, helps safeguard fundamental human rights and develops solutions that ensure people have a safe place to call home where they can build a better future. UNHCR also works to ensure that stateless people are granted a nationality. www.unhcr.org   

UK for UNHCR is a registered charity in England and Wales (registered charity number 1183415).