The Flying Seagull Project

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The Flying Seagull Project

Spreading joy throughout the world, through music, art, circus, dance and theatre.
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'We're just after your laughter' has been our motto from day 1.Through play, music, dance and art we aim to reach out and support children and families in crisis. Over the past 13 years we have shared positive experiences with almost 300 000 children worldwide facing some of the harshest situations possible. We have supported through play children in refugee camps, orphanages, hospital wards, scho

ols, and community shelters in 23 countries.Our belief is a simple one; beyond politics, economics or religion children have the right to a happy, safe and play filled childhood. No matter who you are, where you're from we are determined to make sure as many children as possible get precisely that.

16/06/2026

True courage is not just about facing your own fears.

It is Refugee Week. Over the next few days we are sharing three stories of courage from our work. This first story takes us to a large camp in Bulgaria.

Amid an enormous crowd of people seeking refuge, there was one very timid child. He wanted to join in but felt too shy. During our show one of our Seagulls acted as if she was too nervous to step centre stage. Seeing this, the shy child stood up waving their arms and loudly encouraged our performer.

Even after enduring unimaginable hardship, the people we meet at The Flying Seagull Project continue to show immense hope and trust. This child overcame his own fear to lift someone else up.

15/06/2026

Leaving everything behind and stepping into the unknown takes an unimaginable amount of courage.

This week is Refugee Week, a time to recognise the realities facing people who have been forcibly displaced by conflict or a lack of resources to survive.

We see this courage every day in families carrying whatever they can to reach safety, and in children learning the rules of a playground in a language they do not yet speak.

But courage alone is not enough to rebuild a life. To meet these daunting challenges, people also need friendship and unity.

Our trained entertainers step into these serious places to do extremely silly things, like clown shows and bouncy castles. Creating a moment of joyous relief gives people the strength to keep going.

If you share our vision of a world where every childhood is full of laughter, follow our journey this week and choose friendship over division.

12/06/2026

Refugee Week is just around the corner! Our School Resources are available now! ⁠ ⁠

This year’s Refugee Week theme is Courage. Want to help your primary school pupils understand the incredible bravery it takes to be a refugee, and what it really means to seek sanctuary?⁠ ⁠

Our free Refugee Week Education Packs are designed to bring real stories, human connection, and age-appropriate insight into your classroom. Featuring short videos from our founder Ash and Flying Seagull performers, the packs explore…⁠ ⁠

- What life is like in refugee camps⁠
- Why refugee hotels in the UK exist and who lives there⁠
- What happens to children fleeing war⁠
- Who refugees are, and why their stories of everyday courage matter⁠ ⁠

Created by our team who’ve spent years working face-to-face with displaced children, these resources offer honest, hopeful, and engaging ways to help students connect with the topic through empathy and understanding.⁠ ⁠

Perfect for assemblies, PSHE, or class discussion during Refugee Week (15–21 June). Get your lesson plans ready early! ⁠ Download your free pack now via the link in the comments.

11/06/2026

78% of children say adults do not always think playing is important.

Today is the International Day of Play. For children seeking refuge and facing severe isolation, play is often neglected, forcing young people into premature adulthood.

Our trained entertainers step into these challenging environments with focused magic shows and boisterous clowning. We create secure spaces where children can drop their heavy burdens and just be children.

Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child states every child has the right to engage in play. Giving a child the tools to laugh empowers them to take up space and feel valuable again.

Find out how you can support us by visiting the link in our bio.

09/06/2026

Double the impact, double the sensory play, double the silliness.

Our Sensory Circus programme has grown and we now have two teams delivering at the same time in Greece and Serbia right now. We are reaching children and adults with disabilities, including participants with autism and learning disabilities. We're doing home visits, sensory shows, sensory free play. and delivering our partner training.

Visit the link in our bio to support our sensory teams today.

08/06/2026

When a child is offered a spinning plate you might expect a smile.

But for many of the children we work with the reaction is complete shutdown. They tremble and cry because fear is deeply planted in them. This response is a result of the extreme unrest and unpredictability they face daily.

During our sessions we watch this fear dissolve. Play provides a vital sense of safety and normality which helps children process their feelings. We see them start to laugh and feel welcomed in a secure space. 🎪

Play fundamentally changes how the human brain and body respond to trauma.

This is why we advocate so fiercely for a child's right to play.

06/06/2026

We drag a massive circus tent and an entire funfair ride with us across the world.

People often ask us why we haul so much heavy equipment to the camps and communities we visit. It’s because our tent isn't just a stage. It’s a physical boundary. When you step inside, the harsh reality of the outside world stays exactly there: outside.

Through focused magic shows and boisterous clowning, we build a secure environment where children can drop their heavy burdens and just be children. Nothing short of brilliant is enough when you are fighting to give a child a moment of joyous relief from trauma.

Play lifts them up when the world weighs them down.

Help us keep the big top flying!

05/06/2026

It takes a special kind of person to put on a clown costume and completely transform a child's day.

Millions of childhoods are lost to conflict and forced displacement. We step into these difficult environments to replace fear with positive human connection.

Our trained volunteers run boisterous magic shows and interactive games. They take play seriously so that every child feels special and heard.

None of this work is possible without our dedicated team. They bring the energy required to give young people a proper childhood.

Want to get involved? Get in touch today.

03/06/2026

This Volunteer Week we are celebrating the incredible individuals who make our projects happen. They undertake an intensive training course and commit entirely to the physical work of delivering our shows across the globe.🌎

Since 2008, our teams of smile specialists have left a trail of laughter and silliness. We rely entirely on the generosity and energy of our volunteers who paint our vans, stitch our bunting, and bring immense talent to our performances.

Their hard work means we can reach people seeking refuge who are facing immense hardship. We ensure every day starts with a playtime that everyone can enjoy. Play lifts them up when the world weighs them down.

We are incredibly grateful for every single person who has packed a bag and travelled with us to share joy where it is needed most.

Are you feeling inspired to bring the noise? Send us a message to learn how to join our next team.

02/06/2026

Our Super Sensory Balkan Bonanza tour has just landed in both Greece and Serbia. 🎪

For the first time ever we have two Sensory Circus teams delivering play and laughter at the exact same time. Over the next month our trained entertainers are bringing interactive sensory shows, sensory freeplay workshops and home visits to children and adults with disabilities.

Across Greece and Serbia individuals living with complex disabilities often face systemic discrimination and isolation. Many live in underfunded government institutions where they are rarely moved from their beds. We use flexible sensory activities to replace this isolation with energetic play tailored to their specific needs.

Every person deserves the right to feel special and participate in joyful moments.

Follow our journey over the next month to see the impact of inclusive play. 💛

Address

The Flying Seagull Project, Unit 1, Aldbury Farm, Hatfield Broad Oak
Bishops Stortford
CM227JX

Telephone

+447958176160

Website

https://www.theflyingseagullproject.com/

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