when freedom is taken  
lets find freedom in
movement

Move Forward uses its own trauma-informed dance and sports program to support young people who have fled unsafe situations.

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THEY MATTER TOO
A Documentary

Our coaches create safe spaces where young people can release stress, gain confidence and connect with others at their own pace.

movement that
makes a difference

15.000+

children and young people reached

05

countries

70+

trauma-informed coaches

12+

years of experience

95%

of participants report increased self-confidence

their pace. their choice. their way forward.

In every session, young people decide how they take part. They can move, pause or simply watch. There is no pressure to perform and no need to explain.

Because real support does not push. It creates room for confidence, joy and possibility. That’s how we move forward.

Projects

All projects
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Hidden Girls

A place to feel strong, without having to explain

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AZC Workshop Tour

Sports, dance and Music for young refugees

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Move Forward Kenya

Discovering strength through movement

From shelters and refugee centres in the Netherlands to long-term partnerships abroad, we bring trauma-informed dance and sports programmes to young people without a safe place to call home.

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Every programme is shaped around a different group, place and need. What connects them is a focus on safety, choice, joy and human connection.

our approach

more than movement

A Move Forward session is about more than dance or sports. Through TRASMO, our Trauma Support Movement Program, coaches learn how to support young people in a safe, structured and trauma-informed way.

01
Safe sessions, built around choice
Every session starts calmly, builds up step by step and ends with time to slow down again. Participants always decide how they take part. They can join in, adapt a movement, take a break or simply watch. There is no pressure to perform or explain.
02
Training and supporting our coaches
TRASMO helps coaches understand how trauma and stress can affect behaviour, emotions and the body. Through theory, practical exercises and reflection, they learn to recognise signs of stress and adapt activities to the needs of the group. Learning continues beyond the initial training. Coaches receive feedback and guidance from programme coordinators, psychologists and trauma specialists, helping them keep developing and maintain the quality of every session.
03
Research and development
TRASMO continues to develop through practice, research and collaboration with Radboud University, Pluryn, Leiden University of Applied Sciences, GGZ Rivierduinen and trauma specialists. Research into the dance sessions found that participants experienced them as safe and relaxing and reported feeling mentally and physically better directly afterwards.
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support our work

There are many ways to support our work. Become a partner, make a donation, contribute equipment or share your time and expertise. Every contribution helps us bring trauma-sensitive dance and sport to more young people.

What you can do
It started with
‍a dance class
About us
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