MUSICIANS WITHOUT BORDERS AND FREEDOM FROM TORTURE NORTH WEST

Stone Flowers
Report for 2014

“People back home

Fathers, Mothers,
Listen, listen...”

“Life is struggle, full of beauty,

Life is sacred and eternal”
 Contents

Contents:

1. Project Summary 3
2. Participants’ Lyrics 4
3. Feedback from Survivors 5
4. Feedback from Pyschological Therapists 6
5. The Team 7
6. Partners, Sponsors, and Volunteers 8
7. Future Developments 9

Appendix 1: Participants’ Details 10

Appendix 2: Full Evaluation 11
Appendix 3: Audience Feedback 22

“It gave me peace of mind to be in the music, the only

time I didn’t think about problems”
- Participant

“Pain turned into something very beautiful!”

- Audience Member

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 1.Project Summary
The Stone Flowers project began in January 2011. This report covers the fourth year of the project,
2014.

The project’s key aims in 2014 were:

• To restore the mental health of refugee/asylum seeker torture survivors through exploring the
power of creating music together on regular basis
• To write songs and poems and to perform at the highest possible standard
• To have a sustainable impact through skills development for refugee music leaders
• To create opportunities for the general public to connect with refugees and asylum seekers, to
hear their stories, to become aware of and sympathetic to the issues they face
• To change behaviour and challenge prejudice through performances and workshops

In addition, 2014 saw the setting up of our Progression Group, in response to several factors:

• Feedback from more experienced group members in previous years, who wanted to be able to
develop further musical skills, on specific instruments, or voice.
• The need to make room in the original core group for new members, drawn from new clients of
Freedom from Torture (FfT) who therapists identified as being able to benefit from the music project.
• The sheer numbers of people who wanted to attend, making a single group too large to manage.

Criteria for the Progression Group were established as:

• Participants should have finished therapy and be independent of FfT

• Participants should be able to speak reasonable English with no interpreters
• Participants have a desire to develop musically & perform

The group was managed by Musicians without Borders (MwB), with each session delivered by at least
two facilitators, supported by a number of volunteers.

Overall, the project achieved the following:

• We worked with a total of 20 men and 7 women delivering a total of 44 sessions

• We performed 13 songs at three performances, 9 from our existing repertoire and 4 new ones
• We performed twice at Manchester Food and Drink Festival on International Peace Day, 21st
September 2014
• The Saturday Group also performed at an event co-organised with Amnesty International for
International Human Rights Day on 10th December 2014
• We continued to work with Cabasa Carnival Arts on costumes, producing beautiful costumes hand-
made and designed by participants
• These designs were also incorporated into postcards which are distributed at events
• We began recording our second album in January. We are now completing this thanks to a
spectacularly successful Crowdfunding campaign. We aim to release this album in 2015.
• The whole project has become the subject of a documentary by filmmaker James Sandy. He
also created a special edit of some of his early footage for use by the Crowdfunding campaign
which contributed hugely to its success.
• Group members featured on a BBC Radio One documentary about migrant and asylum seeker artists.
• The project featured in The Big Issue and The Strad Magazine.
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 2. Participants’ Lyrics

A key aim of the project is to provide a platform for group members to communicate their experi-
ences to a wider public. As the group and our methodology develops, even new members have
found the confidence to address their experiences explicitly. The use of multiple languages is a
positive exemplar of how singers use their mother tongues to convey emotion to the audience,
while also passing on their meaning. For the first time, every song was introduced on stage by the
people who wrote the lyrics. Programme notes are also used so that translations are available.

Je Pleure (originally written and performed in French)

The strength to cry

I have no more tears
I gather suffering
I live with my pain
I was forced to leave my children
I’m afraid I won’t see them again
I cry
I cry every day
Night and day
I cry without tears

Will my children eat today?

Will they go to school?
Will my children be well?
Will they be washed?
How will they manage without me?
I’m in the middle of the sea
I can’t go back
I don’t know how to go forward
I dream each day of seeing them again
Of embracing them, of them being next to me

Double Torture (originally written and performed in Lingala)

People back home

Fathers and mothers
Listen, listen
At home there is torture
Away there is torture
Listen, listen
This is suffering
I ask for the respect of human rights in the world
Poor me

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 3. Feedback from Survivors

The core group is open to people referred by therapists at FfT. Many have had no experience of
music making before. The emphasis on this group is in developing singing and rhythm skills, whilst
building confidence, creativity and openness. Physical relaxation, vocal exercises, and rhythm
workshops form the basis of this in the initial stages, followed by improvisation workshops and lyric
development workshops. The latter were facilitated in language groups, and songs were developed
to bring different languages together. In some cases, individuals had a strong idea or vision for a
song, and these were offered to the group. As last year, the more experienced group members were
very welcoming and supportive to new participants.
The Progression Group met through the summer and autumn, and placed more of an emphasis on
developing musical skills, using existing repertoire as the basis but also exploring more advanced
improvisational techniques. There were teething troubles in the transition from a highly supported
setting to a more independent group, and in maintaining consistency of attendance and approach,
but the group were able to deliver a highly successful performance (see below). We aim to develop
this group in 2015.
Generally, it was evident that the hostile political climate has been taking its toll on participants,
and has also impacted on the work of FfT. Despite this, there has been no reduction of the groups’
commitment to the project, or their ability to be creative and inspiring performers. There is also a
predominance of men in the Thursday group, for a variety of complex reasons.

“The group is multicultural and plays about all styles of music. It doesn’t matter your musical
knowledge – even with no background in music you can still join and become good.”
“This music project is very relaxing. It is a distraction from old thoughts.”
“It gives us confidence to sing without fear.”
“We want to tell the audience about the struggles (mental and physical torture) and how we are
affected mentally, physically and psychologically.”

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 4. Feedback from Psychological Therapists

As always, the Therapists at FfT played a crucial role in supporting the attendance of the participants,
and in passing on information. In particular, they provided an essential mechanism by which the
progress of the project and participants’ opinions and feelings about how it should developed could
be taken into account. Benefits for participants included:

“As his therapist I have seen how much the Music Project has helped Mr K in so many different
ways. Today for example, he said he saw Jude help a client by pushing her wheelchair – this
helped him understand certain cultural differences, ‘chiefs’ in DRC would not behave like that.
He spoke of enjoying seeing the sharing and observing things he could learn”.

“I sensed Mr P grew in confidence and self belief that he could actually achieve things. I believe
it gave him the confidence to volunteer to say a prayer in French at an important public event”.

“I’ve noticed that clients often benefit from an identity that’s not about being helped. My client
who performed a song and another who did artwork for the project described a sense of raised
self esteem”.

“Stone Flowers has helped our clients rediscover their political selves as well as their social
selves. Informing and educating the public is at the heart of our performances and so for
previous activists, they have rediscovered their activism and drive to create change”.

6
 5. The Team

The project is managed by Musicians without Borders with a team of seven musicians: Aidan Jolly
and Lis Murphy, experienced music facilitators and performers specialised in working with refugee
groups; Serge Tebu and Emmanuela Yogolelo, provide a vital dual role as language experts/
professional musicians from a refugee background, supporting participants in expressing their views
and developing their music skills; Nick Jones, a volunteer bass player, now also working for MwB
as Fundraising and Finance Manager; Christine Adcock, a clinical psychologist, providing essential
clinical support for the group, as well as leading our string section. We have been joined this year
by Jaydev Mistry, who has worked and performed with the Saturday group. We also had additional
voluntary help from Harriet Wells, a graduate of Music (BA) from the University of Manchester, and
Caitlin Core, a music student from the Royal Northern College of Music, who provided a combination
of musical and administrative support.

These musicians provided a core ensemble of vocals, guitar, bass, drums, violin, percussion, and
‘cello around which the rest of the group could perform. Other members of the group also played
percussion, santuur, bazouki, and cello, with many participants singing solos, reading poetry and
everyone singing choruses.

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 6. Partners, Sponsors and Volunteers

The project attracted a number of partners who provided expert support with events management
and the performance.

Manchester Food and Drink Festival

Amnesty International Manchester Supporters Group, especially Steven Lindsay, who
organised the International Human Rights Day Event on the 10th December 2014
James Sandy / Fuuse Films
Cabasa Carnival Arts worked with participants to create original costumes, incorporating designs
and drawings from the participants.
STS Touring provided a drum kit

A number of individuals also donated specific instruments directly to the project.

Thanks to the team at Freedom from Torture: Jude Boyles, Christine Adcock, Haley Siverns, Fateha
Begum, Ash, and the interpreters Seetha Ramakrishnan, Flo Betrand and Bina Pahlevan.

Thanks to the MwB office volunteers: Alifya Akberali, Samira Mahmood, and Otto Wilberg; and to
Dom Christophers who raised sponsorship money for the Crowdfunding campaign by competing in
a Duathalon.

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 7. Future Developments

We are currently completing our second album, with money raised from our Crowdfunding campaign.
It is likely that we’ll launch this album in London, in partnership with Amnesty International.

The funding climate remains difficult, but we are currently in the process of submitting a bid to
Arts Council England, which if successful would secure the future of the project for a further three
years.

The Saturday Group has proved that a progression group can be successful and that there is a
demand for it, so we aim to continue this provision. It’s envisaged that this group will ultimately
choose a creative direction as led by its members, and that it may in future be able to perform at
least some songs without the professional facilitators that currently provide the musical framework.

9
 Appendix 1: Participants’ details

The total number of participants was 27:

Thursday group 18
Saturday group 9
20 men
7 women
All these bar 1 person participated in the performance

The performance was supported by 4 professional musicians, 1 clinical psychologist musician, 3

interpreters and a number of volunteers and staff from MwB and FfT

Total number of sessions delivered including tasters, writing sessions, rehearsals, recording ses-
sions, and performances:

Thursday group: 31
Saturday group: 15

Some members of the Saturday group have also attended rehearsals, recording sessions and
performances with the Thursday group

The Thursday group did two performances, with a total audience of 300

The Saturday group did a further one off performance, with a total audience of 80

Countries of origin:
DRC - 10
Cameroon - 3
Iran - 3
Sri Lanka - 9
Sudan - 2

Languages spoken:
Arabic, Farsi, French, Swahili, Lingala, Tamil, Kurdish (Sorani), English

At least 1 participant was disabled in such a way that they needed additional support to attend
session and performances

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 Appendix 2: Full evaluations: Survivors

Participants were asked to respond to questions as listed below, working in language groups, and
feeding back to the whole group:

THE PROJECT

1. If you wanted to convince somebody else to join the music project, what would you say
to them?

“Entertaining, learn something new, opportunity to prove your talent.”

“The group is multicultural and plays about all styles of music. It doesn’t matter your musical
knowledge – even with no background in music you can still join and become good.”

“According to my experience this year in the group they (new clients) should be prepared for a
huge sudden drop from the top of the mountain of happiness and joy!”

“This music project is very relaxing. It is a distraction from old thoughts.”

“It gives us confidence to sing without fear.”

“It gives us confidence to sing independently – freely – without fear.”

“Get acquainted with other people.”

“People get awareness about Tamil songs and Tamil speaking people they have never heard.”

“I would say to them it’s really nice, and good for a change, and the people are very kind.” –Tamil
speaking group

“We would bring in the person to experience for themselves what happens here as they wouldn’t
fully get the picture just from talking to them about our perspectives on it.”

“Explain to the person the reasons, aims and objectives of the project.”

“Explain to the person the virtues of music, the diversity in our music (languages etc.)”

“Explain to the person he impacts of our music on our own lives.” –French speakers’ group

2. What did you think of the project this year?

“Good, but I think we need more rehearsal.”

“As I was standing opposite the entrance I noticed people who were outside the tent did not show
any interest to the group during both performances and this was really hurting me and made me
feel very sad. This was not the case last year when we had the performance in the Imperial War
Museum!”
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 Full evaluations: Survivors

“This year’s project was conducted in a proper way. This year another song has been added.”
–Tamil speaking group

“Great, and amazing but can be improved in the future.”

“It was good. However, personally I would like to see things taken more seriously as they were on
the performance day. Besides coming here to meet and have good times, we come here to create
something that we will at some point present to people.”

“It was good. Especially the songs, they were beautiful. However, the number of final rehearsals
was not enough.”

“Good, but we just need to really engage with the work needed.”

“We are lacking concentration. To be better we shouldn’t be neglecting things. For instance, some
wouldn’t even sing even though the song is in their own language. Unintentionally dragging songs,
rhythm.”

“Leaders – well done.” –French speakers’ group

3. What’s the most important thing you want to communicate to audiences through Stone
Flowers?

“Nothing is impossible, and I think music is one of the good ways of rehabilitation. From my
experience.”

“We come from different parts of the world. Peace.”

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 Full evaluations: Survivors
“As they’ve mentioned about performing in different languages, I want them to know how close
and empathetic we are in the group.”

“We want to tell the audience about the struggles (mental and physical torture) and how we are
affected mentally, physically and psychologically.”

“To let people know what sort of background we come from. To share our sadness, and an
opportunity to say what’s in our heart.”

“We want to tell the audience about the difficulties been through with the help of Stone Flowers.”
–Tamil speaking group

“The same, usual ones (our songs).”

“Asylum Seekers and Refugees aren’t beggars but persecuted.”

“A. and R.’s sufferings.” –French speakers’ group

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 Full evaluations: Survivors
4. What do you want the group to do next?

“I think we need to improvise by using some new percussion and to do some correction on Chorus
and Chanting. To be consistent.”

“Start having featurings and inviting big musicians to perform with us in one of our shows.”

“To have the opportunity to extend their work by having more clients and spending more time
on individuals and also to give the clients peace of mind and reassure them of this project being
continued for the next few years at least.”

“Want to bring more affected people and want to do new attractive songs (more heart-felt songs).”
– Tamil speaking group

“Try to organize more appropriately. Add more languages and songs, try to get involved in more
functions in the future.”

“Try new music, new songs.”

“Twice a week.”

“Extend both the project and performances to other areas around the country”

“Give opportunity to members to play instruments too.”

“Better lead at least one song our own.” –French speakers’ group

REHEARSALS AND PERFORMANCE

1. How did you feel about the venue this year?

“I liked last year’s venue more.”

“Year before last the venue was good. This year the venue was alright. Because of the food and
drink festival it was very noisy and different. We did not feel it was specially for us.”

“Brilliant but very noisy background.”

“Good and great but was a little bit noisy.”

“Was a good venue to get a variety of listeners.”

“Loved it, from a main public we got a listening audience.”

“Didn’t like it – was exposed. Would like the one we had before in the same place.”

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 Full evaluations: Survivors
“Liked it, however according to the weather we may need instead an indoor venue.”

“The place was good but not the surroundings on the day: festival, drinks, noises etc.”

“Didn’t like it. I think that the fact that more people weren’t aware of our performance didn’t help in
terms of making noise”- French speakers’ group

2. How did you feel about the audience?

“Very much enjoyed having the inside audience’s company. But I was expecting to have some
audiences invited who were not even aware of the project and performance date when they
are supporting, so I invited them when I was offered to stay with them by the organization as a
holiday.”

“Because some of the audience had been drinking and enjoying we had a feeling they may not be
interested in our singing. Some of them were very good. Encouraging.”

“Drinking and not having their own things.”

“Some were more interested, and some weren’t. Bit noisy.”

“They were listening.”

“The audience was good and supportive.”

“Some cried because they were touched.”

“They were encouraging.”

“Some I think were happy although in a hurry.”

“Some were into our performance particularly with the meanings of our songs, others not.”
–French speakers’ group

3. Would you be prepared to start earlier to get a proper sound check?

“Yes.”

“We would like to do that. We should have a proper sound check – yes.”

“Yes, of course.”

“Yes, of course.”

“Yes, I would start early.”

“Definitely I would prefer a sound check before every performance.”

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 Full evaluations: Survivors
4. How did you feel about the costume sessions?

“Good, and would like to print some music logo on the shirt.”

“Costumes were good, however we should have more than just one. If we could one with a
different design (Brazil, Africa, Arabic etc.) or first performance we wear one collective costume,
then on the second we wear our traditional clothes.”

“Good, but I would really like to be able to choose a sentence which explains our aim along with a
logo.”

“Costumes: only 3 or 4 people were there. It was good. Felt that there were not enough to help.
The men’s top is a very good idea.”

“Good idea – men’s shirt.”

“Not bad, but needs a proper changing room.”

“Loved it.”

“Genial”

“We wear what we like/ design.”

“Didn’t like the shape.” –French speakers’ group

Additional Individual Comments:

“Very nice people that I can trust, outside of here? They might betray me and my family”.

“It gave me peace of mind to be in the music, the only time I didn’t think about problems”.

“I wanted to go so much and loved listening from outside the room, I still think I will be able to sit in
there one day and enjoy company”.

“I love being with people, am I good at music? I don’t know but I like to try new things”.

“It was so friendly and good. It reminds me of music I played in school and was taught (drumming)
from my country. My teacher was killed in the war and I haven’t been able to make music since
then, but I remember it well”.

“Music is good therapy, two of the songs related to me and helped me, the one saying ‘I want to
win –They want I lose’ and the Lingala song saying ‘Tell me where my father has gone”.

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 Full evaluations: Survivors
Contemporary dance movements?
Movements that match the songs

Most important to communicate that refugees/asylum seekers are human beings; also that we’re
fighting for our human rights through songs; raising awareness about how torture carries on in the
UK because of the way we’re viewed/seen outside our own countries. Therefore do a lot more
performances, exhibitions etc

Explain what the songs are about before we sing; fundraise; communicate that they have feelings
and talents, that we are not just ‘refugees’

Need to let people know/communicate that many of us are very well educated, and our community
in this organisation is just a very small example of many others everywhere, so we are performing
for them as well – they have rights as well. We represent them
Therefore we should perform more.

Suggest change to men’s costumes to match the women’s more

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 Full evaluations: Survivors

Evaluation carried out during the mid period of sessions by Rachael Winstanley, a
masters student from the Humanitarianism and Conflict Response Institute, University of
Manchester during the mid period of sessions

1. So far, the music group has helped me with my bad feelings…

A lot: 3 people
Somewhat: 1 person
Not at all: 0

More detail: “Felt relaxed” (answered “a lot”).

2. Do you think the music sessions could be improved?

No: 1 person
A little: 1 person
A lot: 1 person

More detail: “Feeling better” (answered “a little”); “like the music playing percussion” (didn’t tick a
choice).

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 Full evaluations: Survivors

3. What is your favourite thing about the sessions?

“Me writing and singing”

“Singing with the group”
“Listening to the piano”
“I love the music”

4. What is your least favourite thing about the sessions?

“Playing instruments”
“Don’t like it if it is very noisy”
“No”

5. Is there anything else you would like to tell us?

“I am just enjoying. Thanks.”

“I feel better and feel relaxed”
“No”

6. Rating of feelings a) before the group started on the day and b) after the group started:

[People 1, 2 and 3 answered on the scale from 1 – 6 where 1 was “didn’t feel bad at all” and 6 was
“felt extremely bad”. Person 4 answered on the scale from 1 – 10 – 1 was “extremely bad” and 10
was “not bad at all”.]

First person:
a) No rating
b) 1

Second person:
a) 5
b) 3

Third person:
a) 5
b) 3

Fourth person:
a) 2
b) 10

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 Full evaluations: Pyschological Therapists
Therapists were asked to comment on their own perceptions of the impact of the project on their
specific clients (identifying details have been removed):

“I sensed Mr P grew in confidence and self belief that he could actually achieve things. I believe it
gave him the confidence to volunteer to say a prayer in French at an important public event”.

“From my perspective all of these clients have benefitted from company, especially those who
felt they shouldn’t trust outsiders, the fact that everyone was a client allowed them to take risks in
friendship that they wouldn’t otherwise. Some clients talk and meet up outside of the centre now
and this sustains them in lots of ways.

I’ve noticed that clients often benefit from an identity that’s not about being helped. My client who
performed a song and another who did artwork for the project described a sense of raised self
esteem.

I noticed when I sat in the project that the musicians challenged clients to perform well, clients
responded to this well, a professional collaboration based on the expectation that they could
perform, it looked equal to me and I saw confident mannerisms and speech that I hadn’t seen in
these clients in therapy.”

“After the performance, when Mr K went to sign on 25th September, he went back with confidence
despite being faced with a request to sign for voluntary return the previous signing. He described
feeling that he didn’t just go as himself, he went feeling that ‘I am a singer, I am a Musician without
Borders’ and he showed his name on the Stone Flowers programme. He said his involvement in
the Music Project has made him feel more confident in his dealings with the Home Office.

As his therapist I have seen how much the Music Project has helped Mr K in so many different
ways. Today for example, he said he saw Jude help a client by pushing her wheelchair – this
helped him understand certain cultural differences, ‘chiefs’ in DRC would not behave like that. He
spoke of enjoying seeing the sharing in the music project and observing things he could learn”.

“Despite “everything” that’s happened - A has benefited greatly from “the project”. The poem
he wrote & the “spin-off” of getting the “in the client’s chair” article in Therapy Today have been
significant for his sense of confidence & self belief. The key (& the tricky bit!) now is to help him
sustain this momentum”.

“I have noticed a significant impact on my client as a result of his involvement in Stone Flowers.
His social confidence and trust in others has really improved.

His self belief has really increased; he has often felt that he is uneducated and unwell both
physically and mentally and so being able to sing in front of a huge group of people has given him
a self confidence that I think is entirely down to the group. Therapy has helped him process his
traumatic memories but being in a group and performing has showed him he is acceptable and

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 Full evaluations: Pyschological Therapists
likable, and that he can learn and be with others/make friends. It has completely changed him.

Stone Flowers has helped our clients rediscover their political selves as well as their social
selves. Informing and educating the public is at the heart of our performances and so for previous
activists, they have rediscovered their activism and drive to create change.

Learning to play an instrument has made a real difference to my client. It has opened up
possibilities in him that were not there before. He has discovered not just his musical talent but
a desire to be creative and express himself. His focus has always been on family and caring for
others - he has now found something that is just for him that gives him a sense of peace and can
soothe him when he is feeling overwhelmed with memories from the past or his current situation.

For # I have noticed that Stone Flowers has supported him to look outside his own difficulties and
feel a sense of duty or care for others. He has developed empathy and feels concerned for others
and that has made him feel better about himself. He has been consumed and distressed by his
own situation for so long. He has discovered that he is capable of kindness and patience again,
and he had forgotten he had these qualities as all his resources have been towards surviving.

For #, although it was hard to perform to a less invested or engaged audience this year than at
the IWM - he found it challenging and exciting to have to perform to a public who didn’t know
about FFT or torture - it reminded him of being an activist/educator and who he was before he was
imprisoned - someone who took risks for what he believed in”.

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 Appendix 3: Audience Feedback
1) How did you find out about this event?

Options Replies
Leaflet or poster 2 two people
Newspaper (which one) 0 nobody ticked that box
Website (which one) 3 one specified the Manchester food and drink
website and two unspecified.
I was passing by 3
Someone told me 14
one specified a friend working at freedom from torture informed them.
one specified Musicians without Borders emailed them.
one stated that Lis Murphy told them about the event.

Other (give any details you can) 6

one found out from a partner filming event.
one through MK community choir which they participate in.
one singing in a choir at same event.
one found out from Freedom from Torture.
one works for Freedom from Torture.

Unspecified: 1

2) Have you been to a Musicians without Borders event before?

Options Replies
Yes 13 thirteen people
No, never before 14 fourteen people

Unspecified: 1

3) What did you think of today’s event?

WRITTEN COMMENTS FROM PEOPLE

• I love it.
• Very powerful
• Great (Thank you all)
• Excellent
• Very fun
• A very moving but also uplifting and thought provoking evening and great music.
• Amazing
• Wonderful, great to see everyone perform and get so much from it. Brilliant performance.
• Interesting as it also incorporates food and drink festival and harbours conference
• Good great music, different.
• Very good
• Great

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 Audience Feedback
• Great brilliant project
• Great
• Great to see and hear so many individuals contributing to a collective whole.
• Great
• Excellent and very powerful.
• I’m just trying to work out what’s going on.
• Fabulous and inspiring
• Excellent! Everyone was enjoying it. I think the atmosphere gave performers confidence.
• Excellent informative music.
• Different but good.
• Inspiring, beautiful, fun.
• Beautiful energy
• I really enjoyed the music and felt the musicians were experiencing an empowerment.
• Wonderfully moving.
• Brilliant
• Amazing.

4) Has today’s performance encouraged you to go to other such events in the future?

Options Replies
Yes 26
No 0
Unsure 2

5) Please let us know your thoughts on today’s event.

Out of the 28 feedback forms

17 specified the event organisation was excellent.

12 specified event publicity as excellent.
14 specified the venue as excellent.
19 specified the overall quality of the event as excellent.

8 specified event organisation as good.

10 specified event publicity as good.
10 specified the venue as good.
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 Audience Feedback
9 specified the overall quality of the event as good.

4 specified event organisation as satisfactory.

1 specified the event publicity as satisfactory.
4 specified the venue as satisfactory.
0 specified the overall quality of the event as satisfactory.

No one specified anything as poor except 4 people who felt the event publicity was poor as they
did not come across any.

6) How could we have improved the event?

WRITTEN COMMENTS FROM PEOPLE

• Louder
• Music not in beer tent
• Nothing
• I could not find much information on the internet.
• Louder and raised stage.
• Have the sound desk out front as balance can be fixed quicker.
• We need more musicians like you in the world.
• Somewhere quieter.

7) Do you feel that this event has changed the way that you see Refugee/ Asylum
Seekers?

Options Replies
Yes 9
No 16
2 unspecified: did not select either option.
1 stated the question was n/a to them as they had worked with asylum seekers before

In response to the question; If ‘yes’ in what ways?

Four provided written responses:

• Just raised my awareness
• They are welcome
• I see great strength beauty and inspiration
• I was unaware of their treatment in the country

Two of the feedback participants that replied ‘no’ to the question stated that;

One specified that they were already committed to refugee issues and had very positive views.
One stated no; “but personal stories are compelling and will really touch people immune to issues
involved”.

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 Audience Feedback

8) Have you had any interaction with refugee/ asylum seekers in the past?

Options Replies
Yes 19
No 8
1 Unspecified did not select an answer.

Written response to the question; If ‘yes’ in what capacity?

• Just by socialising
• Through a sleep out organised by refugee action
• Friends of friends
• I lived in ? with Somalis
• Job
• In line of work – nurse
• Father was a refugee
• As friends
• Journalism/ Activism
• Only via friends the workings to assist them
• Leading story writing workshop with WAST for ?
• Working in Bosnia with Musicians without Borders

9) Has this event motivated you to (please tick all that apply)

Options Replies
Donate to musicians without borders 19
Talk to others about the event 20
Tell others about musicians without borders 21
Learn more about refugees and people who are seeking asylum 19
Likely to support events or initiatives concerning refugees and asylum seekers 21
Buy the stone flowers album 12
2 People left the section blank.

10) Have you any other comment?

WRITTEN COMMENTS FROM PEOPLE

• Lovely
• Brilliant as ever
• Keep up the good work
• I’m the editor of Manchester Mule- we’ve published a preview of MWB event before, it’d be
good doing more work together.
• I’m really glad I came and was extremely impressed by a range of quality of music. Enjoyed
hearing many different languages.
• It was great to educate the audience about refugees.
• Thank you for a wonderfully heart opening , inspirational event.
• Pain turned into something very beautiful! Thank you.

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