Impact

Learn more about our impact on young people, our wider community, and our sector.

  • “I want to thank so much. You guys given me hope to live. I don’t know how to say my feelings now. Thank you.” - Ali

    “Play for Progress is my family in England. Everyone here is like my brother and sister and I want to be with you forever. Thank you to everyone in this group.” - Mo

    “Thank you so much for make me happy, you all such a wonderful doctors not musicians. I proud of you. To change people life from bad story from the past. The meaning of Play for Progress is start creative life with good consequences to live.” - Jalal

    “I love everything [about PFP]. When I come to class I learning with the teacher so after that everyone do together. I love this because makes me happy. I’m very interested in everything.” - Ionela

    “I’m always grateful for you all because those nice, helpful and very kind people like you I feel not alone. I feel safe and feel you all my family. One day my mom will appreciate you all. Sometimes I feel down when some things happening which no one can stop it. I can say I’m still living because I have you all.Your class makes me feel safe and part of something good. I can forget my missing of my home, my mother. I can forget feeling alone and scared. I thank you, each of you, you make me happy, you make me forget, with you I feel safe, it is so good what you do for us, for me, I thank you.” - Akbar

    “When I stay at home, I feel like there is nothing to do but when I come here...I really... all of you I love so much. Thank you so much for help us, for everything. When I remember, I don’t think this ever happened to me in my life. I don’t feel like this before in my life. It’s really great, great thing in my life. Like enjoy together, go and be together, play together. All of you, thank you so much. I love you. I’m very very happy. I will never forget these days. They stay in my heart.” - Hussein

    “Play for Progress is my family. Everyone so good. I learn a lot of things when I come there. I feel comfortable and relaxed when I come there. So great!” - Van Duc

    “Thank you so much for all you are doing for us, you are helping us and you care about us. To be honest there are not many opportunities for people like us in England. Love all musicians and teachers. Thank you! <3” - Reza

    “Today [in your class] the first time I am happy.” - Mango

    “I never forget you. I love so much you guys. Thank. you so much for everything.” - Mana

  • View our 2021-2022 Annual Report here

    View our 2020-2021 Annual Report here.

    View our 2019-2020 Annual Report here.

    View our 2018-2019 Annual Report here.

  • Read articles by our staff who share personal insights about what they learn and gain from working with our community.

  • Play for Progress has presented at the following conferences, panels, and events:

    • Oxford University, Somerville College Panel on Child refugees and the power of education with colleagues from Safe Passage, UNICEF, and Lord Alf Dubs (UK, February 2018)

    • Amnesty International (London, June 2018)

    • Serious Music LEAP Residency (UK, January, 2019)

    • PPLG Play Perform Learn Grow (Thessoloniki, October 2019)

    • Remix Play 3 Playful Inspiration and Social Innovation (Reading, June 2019)

    • Parliament event Co-Hosted by PFP and SNP in support of Refugee Families Reunification Bill (UK, June 2019)

    • Huddersfield University The role of new music in addressing social issues (UK, June 2019)

    • World Children’s Day Conference. The power of play: a fundamental right for children seeking asylum (Online, November 2021)

    • Music Hubs Conference lead by Dr Cayenna Ponchione-Bailey and Wiltshire Music Connect; the crucial context and study that anyone hoping to engage with recently arrived Afghan communities needs to understand before designing and launching an attempt to provide well-intended support (Online, November 2021)

    Play for Progress has contributed to research conducted by the following institutions:

    • UNHCR/UNICEF Research Launch on Child Refugee Protection in the UK (London, September, 2019)> London School of Economics - Alternative and creative approaches addressing asylum seekers’ social exclusion in the UK by Rania Mneimneh (August 2020)

    • Global Leaders Programme (September 2018)

    • University of North Carolina Chapel Hill - Alexander Marsden (June 2018)

    • University of Leeds - Exploring the role of social bonding in community music, Lily Blows-Paliwoda (Dec 2017)