Skip to main content Skip to navigation

The Hands Up Foundation

Also known as: Action Syria

The principal activities of Action Syria, the operating name of the charity, are to make sure Syrian communities have the medical care and education they need, every day and when emergencies strike. The charity focuses on the relief and assistance of victims of war, conflict or natural disaster, through humanitarian assistance, particularly for people in Syria and surrounding countries.

Contact Charity

Activities & Mission

The principal activities of Action Syria, the operating name of the charity, are to make sure Syrian communities have the medical care and education they need, every day and when emergencies strike. The charity focuses on the relief and assistance of victims of war, conflict or natural disaster, through humanitarian assistance, particularly for people in Syria and surrounding countries.

Grants

The Hands Up Foundation is a grant-making charity: making grants is its main activity.

Gives grants to
organisations
Grants paid (2024)
£431,928
Who it helps
children and young people, elderly people, people with disabilities and the general public
What it supports
general charitable purposes, education and training, the advancement of health or the saving of lives, disability and overseas aid or famine relief

As recorded with the Charity Commission. To ask about applying, use the contact details and check the trustees and latest accounts below.

Is this your charity?

Add your logo, photos and tell the story behind the numbers in your own words. Free for our first 50 launch partners.

Learn more about premium profiles See a sample profile

Areas of Operation

Where this charity is registered to operate, as self-declared to the Charity Commission. These are regulatory classifications, not a list of active programmes, and don't necessarily indicate fundraising activity in each location.

Financial Information

Latest Income
£381,326
Latest Expenditure
£494,630

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 115.0%
% of income going directly to charitable activities
Overall Efficiency 87.9%
% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)
Administrative Ratio 12.7%
Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Latest Financial Breakdown

Income Sources

Donations & Legacies £417,441
Charitable Activities £0
Other Trading £86,024
Investments £644
Other Income £0

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £579,552
Raising Funds £79,489
Governance £4,373
Grants to Institutions £431,928
Other Expenditure £0

Financial Trend

Annual Returns

As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2025.

Financial YearIncomeExpenditureCharitable SpendingNet AssetsReservesStaff
2025
£381,326
£494,6300 / 8
2024
£504,109
£659,041£579,552£226,406£226,4066 / 7
2023
£721,571
£740,889£616,880£381,338£194,6075 / 12
2022
£584,041
£515,449£369,806£400,656£270,9633 / 4
2021
£682,180
£625,881£522,654£332,064£272,0172 / 4

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about The Hands Up Foundation

What does The Hands Up Foundation do?

The principal activities of Action Syria, the operating name of the charity, are to make sure Syrian communities have the medical care and education they need, every day and when emergencies strike. The charity focuses on the relief and assistance of victims of war, conflict or natural disaster, through humanitarian assistance, particularly for people in Syria and surrounding countries.

How much income did The Hands Up Foundation report in 2025?

The Hands Up Foundation reported total income of £381k and reported expenditure of £495k for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

When was The Hands Up Foundation registered as a charity?

The Hands Up Foundation was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 1 April 2014 as charity number 1156491. It has been registered for 12 years.

Who runs The Hands Up Foundation?

The Hands Up Foundation is governed by a board of 7 trustees. The chair of trustees is Alexandra Lopoukhine. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does The Hands Up Foundation operate?

The Hands Up Foundation operates across 5 areas, including Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and 2 others. The full list is shown on its profile.

Is The Hands Up Foundation a registered charity?

Yes — The Hands Up Foundation is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 1156491.

Details

Contact (address, email, phone)
Registration Date
1 April 2014
Status
Registered

Registry Information

Organisation Number
5044806
Charity Number
1156491

Trustees

Alexandra Lopoukhine Chair
Also governs 1 other charity
Francis James Edward Lyon
GEORGE BUTLER
Joseph Roberts
LOUISA Katherine Delia Leeper
MAZEN GHARIBAH
Nicholas Haslam

Also Known As

  • Action Syria

Data & trust

Register data refreshed
9 November 2026
Report a data issue