Our impact over 2023–2025
Direct reach
We trained people from more than 50 different partner organisation
300 unique professionals trained over three years
Approximately 100 professionals per year
Based on 21 structured training evaluation surveys in Arabic and Ukrainian
Average response rate: 75% (conservative counting, no double counting)
Training quality and applicability
Across all years and contexts, participants consistently rated the trainings very highly:
90–95% said the training met or exceeded expectations
90–95% found the content clear and well structured
95–100% rated the trainers as knowledgeable
85–95% reported increased understanding of trauma and stress
85–95% could apply the learning directly in their work
90–100% would recommend the training to other organisations
Participants described strong professional, organizational, and personal impact.
“The training connected trauma theory with practical tools in a way that felt immediately usable.”
“The six-step model helped me structure my sessions and respond more calmly to trauma reactions.”
“This training helped me understand my own reactions and calm myself before supporting others.”
“The tools helped us reduce fear and tension among children in shelters.”
“Receiving this training through WhatsApp made learning possible during the war.”
For our (international) training programs, we use a monitoring and evaluation programme to tailor our training to the specific needs of our participants and partners.
In terms of creating an impact, we work on two levels: the individual and the social. We measure the impact on the individual level of our trainees using these monitoring, evaluation and interviews. At a societal level, we are partly dependent upon our partners who measure the impact themselves. This is a long process which can sometimes take several years.
Floortje de la Fosse researched the impact of the Sounds of Change Academy by focusing their master’s research in ‘Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology’ on the Academy’s trainees in four different asylum centres in the Netherlands. The research focused specifically on the impact of their workshops on the centres’ children and she shared some of her insights with us during the event.
You can read the impact report here as well as a link to the full research.
We believe qualitative data - the stories, interviews, and artistic outcomes of our trainees - create a wider understanding of the context and culture of where we work, and therefore of the changes that our programmes facilitate. For a further glimpse into the artistic outcomes, we invite you to subscribe to our newsletter, as well as visit the stories and sounds sections of this website.
Sounds of Change is informed in internationally recognised evidence bases, including:
Expressive Arts Therapy & Music Therapy (e.g. Malchiodi, 2020; Bensimon et al., 2012), showing that music-based group activities support emotional regulation, stress reduction and social connection in trauma-affected populations. Malchiodi and Bensimon show that music and other expressive arts help people regulate emotions, reduce stress and restore a sense of safety and connection, especially after traumatic or overwhelming experiences. Because music works through rhythm, sound and the body rather than through words, it is particularly effective for people who struggle to verbalise what they have been through. In group settings, music-making also strengthens social bonding and trust, which are key foundations for psychosocial recovery and wellbeing.
Trauma-informed psychosocial support frameworks (IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergencies).
Neurobiological trauma theory (e.g. van der Kolk, Anne van den Ouwelant's "when the a;arm bell rings"), demonstrating that rhythm, sound and synchronised group activities support nervous-system regulation and a sense of safety.
Community-based MHPSS and non-verbal, culturally adaptable interventions, especially relevant in contexts of displacement, language barriers and chronic stress.
Sounds of Change translates evidence into practical, low-threshold tools that frontline staff can safely use in group-based education and psychosocial support.
There are several international studies that evaluated the effect of psycho-education on trauma and stress related issues. These studies show that psycho-education may lead to increased knowledge of trauma, lower trauma survivor-related stigma, decreased PTSD symptoms, increased sense of control and improved resilience.
While the psycho-education sessions that we offer in collaboration with Trauma International differ from the interventions in these studies, they are broadly comparable with respect to the content of the educational sessions and stabilisation techniques used. Furthermore, our own evaluations of our training sessions are in line with the above mentioned results. For years, we have experienced the positive results and impact of providing psycho-education and trauma sensitive support in conflict areas and/or for people who have been exposed to war and other types of trauma.
Literature and research
Trauma education and stigma reduction in global setting
Effects of psychoeducation and stress coping techniques on posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms
And there is a research being done about Sounds of Change trainer and music therapist Sander van Goor’s work and methodology:
“The smiles that we drew on the faces of the children today are much more powerful and beautiful than all the bullet sounds they heard in the war.”
Tarek, Sounds of Change trainee in Lebanon
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