Anna MacDonald speaking about philanthropy and the power of music

Having seen the benefit of how seemingly small changes can make immense differences to people’s health and wellbeing, she was inspired to set up a foundation that delivers therapeutic and educational music and arts programmes as well as advocacy and well-being support for unaccompanied minor refugees. This came about following a visit to the Children’s Orphanage of Erbil, Iraq in early 2014. So thanks to Anna and co-founder Alyson Frazier, Play for Progress was born.

Missing a Scottish cultural hub in London also led to the founding of The Association of Exiled Scots along with Gaelic singer Ainsley Hamill. Together they created a community away from home for exiled Scots the world over. Their mission is to promote Scottish music, language, art and culture, as well as nurture Scottish talent by providing a platform for performances, exhibitions and bespoke in-conversation events.