10 minutes of music lessons for 1 migrant in Berlin

Around 10-20% of people in Germany are chronically lonely (Bückner, 2021). Loneliness affects refugees and migrants even more, because people who have fled or immigrated to Germany are often isolated and feel like they do not belong (Boga in BPB, 2023). Lack of German language skills, social and cultural barriers or experiences of discrimination cause refugees and migrants to become isolated and lonely. This can also lead to prejudices being reinforced (Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency, 2012) and integration being made more difficult (BAMF Analysis, 2019). New friendships and communities can help reduce feelings of loneliness, settle in Germany and support the integration process. However, it takes an average of around 100 hours for encounters between strangers to develop into friendships (Hall, 2018). In order to really break loneliness and isolation, long-term offers are therefore needed through which refugees and migrants come into contact with other people, for example through learning together and regular meetings. It is important that encounters take place over a longer period of time, in a prejudice-free atmosphere and on an equal footing, in order to create a sense of belonging and allow new communities to emerge. The universal language of music is particularly well suited to making new contacts. Give Something Back to Berlin therefore offers free music lessons that take place over the long term and in which people who have recently arrived in Germany can find connections and friendships.