The Arts as Healer
Mission of Innocents works to ensure that the wellbeing of children who have resettled as a result of war, geopolitical strife, or large-scale environmental disasters, is prioritized along with their family’s basic needs.
Our goal is to mitigate the emotional impact of sudden, drastic change and deep uncertainty in children’s lives with arts, movement, and play experiences that invite them to express their emotions, have fun, and focus on the joy of creativity.
Originally established for Ukrainian children living onboard two accommodation ships—one in Edinburgh and the other in Glasgow—we are now providing programming on land within the communities to which our children have relocated.
Children, in their hearts, want to feel free and happy.
When extreme circumstances threaten the emotional wellbeing of communities of children, Mission of Innocents is there. We work to give children of all ages the opportunity to creatively express themselves while participating in activities such as art, dance, music, singing, sports, play and fitness—lightening their hearts in the present, and hopefully opening them to a brighter future as a result.
To ensure that school-aged children receive the necessary support to be academically successful in their new environment, we also offer academic enrichment, such as homework assistance.
The BBC in Scotland recognized our work with the Ukrainian refugee community.
This valuable exposure helped to mobilize local organizations and companies to partner with us in providing resources and unique opportunities that would not have been possible for the children, otherwise.
These opportunities include experiences that have invited even more self-expression into the children’s lives, like private dance classes, football workshops, a hillwalking trip with the Scouts of South East Scotland, the opportunity to perform at the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh, and an invitation to sing at Bute House for the former First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon.
When the families were living onboard the two vessels, professional performances and guests were welcomed, to share their talents with the children and their families; these included players from the Hibernian Football Club, the Salvation Army Band, Glasgow Life, and the Scottish Opera.