From 3rd-10th December 2024 we once again have an amazing opportunity for you to DOUBLE the impact of your gift. When you contribute to our EVERYDAY PEOPLE: wellbeing with young refugees campaign, some incredible supporters will match your donation, making it go twice as far! Sign up for our newsletter here to ensure you don’t miss out on key updates.
EVERYDAY PEOPLE is our specialist programme co-creating amazing music with refugees and safety seekers aged 14-25, often newly arrived here from war zones without friends or family. There is high demand for the programme, which is why we’re taking part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge for the first time this year, with a target of £5,000.
Imagine having to leave your home, friends and family and flee to another country because of war. You finally reach safety alone in England, but people around you don’t understand what you’ve been through. You may be forced to live in detention or in temporary accommodation in a hotel by the Home Office, an incredibly scary situation given the recent violent attacks across the country.
You urgently need relief from your stress from back home and here, to find friends and an outlet to express yourself in a positive way so that you can recover and rebuild your life after witnessing war in your home country.
EVERYDAY PEOPLE is proven to improve well-being, create positive new connections between different communities and increase skills and employment opportunities. Professional music facilitators from Ukraine, Ethiopia, Syria, Iran, Iraq, England, Ireland, Afghanistan co-create uplifting sessions with games, dancing, singing and songwriting in many languages.
“Before the project I didn’t have confidence. Before I was scared. And after I feel good and like I can learn new things and improve.” – Bless, Participant
A gift to our EVERYDAY PEOPLE campaign supports young refugees and safety seekers to:
- Improve well-being through creativity
- Make new friends and develop skills together
- Share their amazing music through videos and performances
- Bring different communities together for peace and empathy
“I loved bearing witness to their confidence, growth and the magic that had been created through art. This was a true testament that despite everything that is currently going on around the world, music is certainly an international language that can bring us together.” – Mohammed Yahya, Facilitator
Read more about our aims and donate via our campaign page.
£20 pays for a young refugee or safety seeker to attend a session
£50 pays for instruments to use in the sessions
£100 pays for a young trainee to learn some facilitation skills
£500 pays for a recording or performance, sharing the amazing music created
Donations must be made via the Big Give by visiting our EVERYDAY PEOPLE: wellbeing with young refugees campaign page between midday on 3rd December and midday on 10th December. If you have any questions please contact Kayleigh at kayleigh@musicaction.org.
We know that many are affected by the rising cost of living, but if you are in a position to contribute even a small amount, we’d be so grateful.
Watch the music videos featured in the campaign video in full on our YouTube channel.
Everyone forced to flee their home in search of safety should be met with compassion and empathy, so that they can feel safe and supported as they recover and rebuild their lives after experiencing war and persecution. If you’re not able to donate at the moment, here are some other things you can do to stand in solidarity with refugees and safety seekers from our partners in the sector:
- Learn how to speak to people in your life about refugee rights via City of Sanctuary
- Read about the realities of living in an asylum hotel via the Helen Bamber Foundation
- Find out why asylum is a racial justice issue via Refugee Action
- Get involved in Refugee Week 2025 celebrations via Refugee Week
Thanks to all the participants and facilitators who’s stories, music, and feedback have made Everyday People the programme it is today.
Everyday People has been delivered in partnership with British Red Cross, BBC Symphony Orchestra and BBC Singers, Compass Collective, Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit, IWM, Promised Land Studios, National Lottery, Youth Music, Young Roots, Hummingbird Project, North West Young People’s Development Trust, Arts Council England, Chapman Trust, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Three Monkies Trust and Southall Trust.
“When you work together with love
you can achieve anything.”
Amir, Survivor
