Play for Progress

What Play for Progress does

Play for Progress is a Croydon-based registered charity (Charity No. 1166328), founded in 2014 by Anna MacDonald and Alyson Frazier, that supports unaccompanied young people seeking asylum (UASC) aged 14-21 in Greater London. The organisation delivers trauma-informed, advocacy-focused, arts-centred programming across five interconnected service departments: Music Classes (violin, cello, guitar, piano, voice, drums, rap and composition), Art Programs (exhibitions and intensives), Therapy Services (Drama & Movement Therapy including Relax Classes and 1-1 support), Education (Homework Club, mentoring, and language tutoring), and Casework & Advocacy (asylum claim guidance, tribunal support, and wellbeing oversight). Services are provided free of charge to beneficiaries, primarily at the Croydon Buddhist Centre after school, with supplementary online sessions and intensive half-term projects in collaboration with local musicians and creative organisations.

The underlying technology is non-proprietary; the "product" is curated programming delivered by qualified therapists, music tutors, educators, and caseworkers. Therapeutic practice follows a phase-oriented trauma approach integrating drama and movement therapy, mindfulness, yoga, neuroscience, and Jungian psychology. There is no AI, no software platform, and no API or SDK surface; the website is operated on Squarespace and merchandise is sold through a standard e-commerce storefront. Operational assets are intangible: institutional partnerships (Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, V&A, Museum of Croydon, Refugee Council), a Young Leaders Council that converts beneficiaries into governance advisors, and an established brand within the UK refugee-sector ecosystem.

Play for Progress is a non-profit with no commercial revenue model. It is funded by individual donations via JustGiving (recurring tiers of £10-£100), restricted grants from charitable funders including BBC Children in Need and Sound Connections, and modest merchandise sales (art prints £30-£60, postcards £20, t-shirts £15, totes £10). A supplementary revenue stream comes from Bespoke Training Services delivered to external organisations on trauma-informed practice. Go-to-market is community-led: referrals originate through social workers, guardians, and local authorities, augmented by word-of-mouth within the Croydon UASC community, with no commercial sales motion.

Name

Play for Progress

Legal name

Play for Progress

Website

https://playforprogress.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Play for Progress is a Croydon-based registered charity founded in 2014 that delivers trauma-informed music, arts, therapy, education, and casework services to unaccompanied young asylum seekers aged 14-21 in Greater London, funded by donations, charitable grants, and merchandise sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable Youth Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills) (EDAAAFAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wraparound Student Support & Case Management Services (At-Risk K–12) (EDAJAEAJ), Interagency Coordination & Case Management (VR, DD, Medicaid Waivers) (EDAKANAM)

Keywords

• Youth asylum support
• Community music therapy
• Trauma-informed arts
• Refugee youth services
• Charity creative engagement

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Donations: Monthly and one-time donations from individuals through JustGiving platform. The charity relies on public donations to sustain operations and adapt to changing needs.
2. Charitable Grants: Restricted income from charitable grant-making organizations including BBC Children in Need for half-term projects.
3. Merchandise Sales: Sale of art prints (Our Branches A4/A5), postcards, t-shirts, and totes through their online shop.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Play for Progress is a Croydon-based charity that delivers trauma-informed, advocacy-focused, arts-centred programmes for unaccompanied young people seeking asylum aged 14–21. Core services span weekly music classes, art programmes, creative arts therapy (drama and movement therapy, Relax Class), education tutoring and language mentoring, and bespoke casework and asylum advocacy. The organisation also runs youth leadership pathways, half-term intensive projects, public performances, and offers bespoke trauma-informed training to external organisations, complemented by a small online merchandise shop.

Product overview

Play for Progress is a Croydon-based charity offering a portfolio of trauma-informed creative and therapeutic services for unaccompanied young people seeking asylum. The core offerings include five interconnected departments: Music Classes (weekly group music instruction), Art Programs (exhibitions and intensives), Therapy Services (Drama & Movement Therapy including Relax Classes and 1-1 therapy), Education (Homework Club and language support), and Casework & Advocacy. These are complemented by Youth Leadership pathways, Half Term Projects, Public Performances, and a Training Services division offering bespoke organisational health and trauma-informed trainings. The organisation also operates a merchandise shop selling art prints, postcards, T-shirts, and totes. Services are primarily delivered at the Croydon Buddhist Centre during term time, with some online offerings developed during COVID-19.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Music Classes Weekly group music sessions offering instruction in violin, cello, guitar, piano, trumpet, clarinet, flute, voice, drums, composition, production, rap, and hip-hop for unaccompanied young people seeking asylum. Focuses on recording, arranging, and writing music plus instrumental instruction.
• Art Programs Art programming that regularly collaborates with Music and Relax classes and Half Term Projects, including exhibitions and intensives that develop community and self-expression in public spaces for unaccompanied young asylum seekers.
• Therapy Services Creative arts therapy using drama and movement therapy for unaccompanied young asylum seekers. Includes a Relax Class therapeutic drop-in and 1-1 Therapy for young people in crisis. Employs a phase-oriented trauma approach combining mindfulness, yoga, neuroscience, and Jungian psychology.
• Education Services Weekly Youth-Led Homework Club and 1-1 Education/Language Support & Mentoring to assist with comprehension, language practice, educational adjustment, and higher-education advice for unaccompanied young asylum seekers aged 14-21.
• Casework & Advocacy Bespoke casework providing advice, guidance, and oversight on asylum claims, daily challenges, and wellbeing for unaccompanied young asylum seekers. Includes practical support for social care, tribunals, education, health services, and immigration cases.
• Youth Leadership Pathway Leadership development programme for long-term participants including the Young Leaders Council (9 young people aged 16-21), Leadership Residential, and pathways to Board advisory roles. Includes peer feedback, work placements, and mentorship opportunities.
• Half-Term Projects Intensive multi-day projects during October, February, and May half terms that collaborate across Music, Art, Therapy, Education, and Casework departments with local musicians and creative organisations.
• Public Performances & Cultural Outings Biannual public performances and approximately termly cultural outings to mainstream venues for participants in the after-school programmes, including performances at the V&A, Southbank Centre, and Fairfield Halls.
• Bespoke Training Services Customised trainings for organisations and practitioners on organisational health, trauma-informed work, and creative engagement with vulnerable communities, including unaccompanied young asylum seekers. Past clients include Croydon Culture Network, Kala Chethena Kathakali Company, Bow Arts Trust, and Arts Emergency.
• Shop - 'Our Branches' Prints Giclée prints of collective artwork created during 2019-2020 workshops with visual artist Dima Karout, sold online to supporters of Play for Progress in A4 and A5 sizes.
• Shop - 'Anonymous Portraits' Postcards Collection of 9 postcards featuring portraits of Young Leaders Council members photographed by Emma Brown, sold online for £20 per pack and featured in the Roots & Branches exhibition.
• Shop - T-Shirt Unisex heavy cotton T-shirts with Play for Progress branding, sold online in small and medium sizes at £15 each.
• Shop - Tote Canvas tote bags featuring Play for Progress branding, sold online to supporters for £10 each.

Quantifiable outcome

• Young people studying at college and university including pharmacology and biomedical sciences
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Sandblast ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 July 2025Partnership with Sandblast Arts to welcome Saharawi refugee children to community music evenings. PFP's Head of Organisational Health has worked with Sandblast and Saharawi Refugee Community since 2010.
• Museum of CroydoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative exhibition partner for 'Roots & Branches' exhibition at the Museum of Croydon (2020). Young people's artwork displayed as part of community engagement and cultural outreach.
• Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaboration including joint performances at Fairfield Halls, training sessions for RPO players on trauma-informed engagement with young asylum seekers, and joint music-making activities.
• V&A MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual partnership for Refugee Week celebrations. PFP staff and young people conduct workshops in the museum's courtyard garden, combining music, art, and poetry performances.
• Dima KaroutcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVisual artist, curator, and educator who leads workshops with young people. Collaborated on 'Our Branches' artwork collection and 'Roots & Branches' exhibition.
• Emma Brown PhotographycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhotographer who collaborated on 'Anonymous Portraits' collection featuring Young Leaders Council members. Photography featured in exhibitions.
• ATMAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPainter, mural artist, and designer who led the Tree of Life Mural project with young people for the Museum of Croydon exhibition.
• Orchestras for AllminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor partner since Play for Progress began. Participated in Croydon-based Modulo, joining with mainstream schooling members of Croydon Music & Arts to create communal orchestra.
• Kinetika BlocominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCarnival-style music and dance team. Collaboration for Croydon Carnival Camp and return visits for community dance sessions with young people.
• Project PlayminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for solidarity training on promoting organisational health and underpinning trauma awareness of creative activities. Joint discussion on rights of children for World Children's Day.
• Refugee CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreviously based within Refugee Council Children's Sections premises. Hosted performances for social evenings. Deep historical partnership serving unaccompanied young people.
• Small Charities CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured by Small Charities Coalition for organizational work and impact. Potential marketing and support partnership.
• Croydon Music & ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal arts organization partnered for Croydon Modulo, ensuring inclusion of PFP young people who might otherwise be excluded.
• Croydon Culture NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReceived organisational health training from PFP's Head of Therapeutic Practice in 2020.
• Kala Chethena Kathakali CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReceived trauma-aware creative engagement workshop training from Play for Progress.
• Bow Arts TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReceived trauma training for social justice and creative arts learning in schools in 2021.
• Arts EmergencyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing training for Arts Emergency Mentors on understanding trauma and engaging creatively with UASC's.
• The Riot EnsembleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured PFP at their CD release event where Co-Founder Alyson Frazier spoke about PFP's work.
• Kalila Wa Dimna ExhibitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYoung people's work presented within the exhibition 'Kalila Wa Dimna: Ancient Tales for Troubled Times' at the V&A. Co-founder Alyson participated in discussion panel.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Refugee Council: UK's largest charity working with refugees and asylum seekers, providing advice, advocacy, and children's services. PFP was previously based within the Refugee Council's Children's Section premises, evidencing deep operational alignment around unaccompanied minors.
• Young Roots: London-based charity specifically supporting young refugees and asylum seekers aged 11–25 with advice, education, and wellbeing services — closely overlapping PFP's core beneficiary group and Croydon-adjacent service mix.
• Praxis: East London charity providing casework, advocacy, and community support to migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers including unaccompanied minors — comparable beneficiary base, similar casework and community engagement model.
• Helen Bamber Foundation: UK charity providing trauma-informed therapeutic care, advocacy, and rehabilitation to asylum seekers and survivors of human trafficking — overlaps PFP's therapy-led, trauma-informed methodology for a near-identical beneficiary profile.
• Project Play: Named PFP partner working on solidarity training and rights of children. Operates in the same arts-based, rights-focused space for vulnerable young people including refugees.

Broad incumbents

• The Children's Society: Large national charity supporting vulnerable children including young refugees and asylum seekers through direct work, advocacy, and systems change — broader portfolio but overlapping on the unaccompanied minors segment.
• Refugee Action: National refugee support charity offering advice, integration programmes, and advocacy across the UK. Comparable mission and beneficiary focus but at greater scale and with a wider service mix.
• British Red Cross: Large humanitarian organisation providing refugee support, family reunification, and integration services in the UK. Overlaps on refugee beneficiary profile but operates at significantly greater scale and breadth.

Others

• Orchestras for All: Named PFP partner running Modulo programmes that integrate young people across mainstream and specialist settings through ensemble music-making — adjacent mission focused on inclusive music access rather than refugee-specific support.
• Kinetika Bloco: South London carnival music and dance organisation partnered with PFP on community music evenings — comparable creative-arts youth engagement approach but not refugee-specific.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/playforprogress
• Facebookfacebook.com/playforprogress
• Instagraminstagram.com/playforprogress

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Play for Progress