Grant brings refugee stories to life through Storyfest

Making use of the Creative Freelancer Grant, Michael Loader with Ozcan Ates (from Turkey/ Kurdistan) facilitated six 50-minute sessions over two days, engaging 180 Year 8 students and eight staff members.

New facilitators, Farshid from Iran and Suhela from Bangladesh, shared personal stories, culture, and skills, enriching the experience.

Telling my story for the first time raised my spirit to receive so much respect, and empathy.

Awet, Refugee

The Somerset Storyfest sessions introduced students to diverse refugee experiences through storytelling, music, and food. Discussions covered freedom, resilience, and cultural identity, fostering engagement and deeper understanding.

The project expanded Somerset Storyfest’s networking, adaptability, and financial management skills, while also broadening cultural awareness.

How did the Creative Freelancer Grant help?

  • The project helped enhance Somerset Storyfest’s professional growth by improving negotiation skills, adaptability, and cross-cultural collaboration.
  • Students and staff gained insight into refugees’ experiences, encouraging empathy, critical thinking, and community cohesion.
  • Refugees felt heard, respected, and better integrated into their new environment, redefining perceptions of displacement and identity.

If we can meet, talk, and listen with our differences, we will grow in empathy and understanding.

Nailsea School Student

Share on social

Related Articles

See All Articles
Grant supports Sasha Snow’s specialist film training
Creative grant supports Alice Watkins’ sustainable ceramics
Grant helps Barbara Ash exhibit new sculptural works
Creative Freelancer grant helps Esme Lower scale up her mural practice
Grant empowers Cai Burton to improve arts access
Grant enables Carlota Matos to connect communities through food
Grant helps Raphaela Seck combine clay and wellbeing
exterior of brutalist redbrick building with a tall grey tower in the centre
The Workforce Development Trust: greening an industrial icon
Creativity Works’ Co|Create programme – Community Support Fund
MTJB Engineering Ltd
nmi logo
Business & Professional services: NMI
Fulcrum Projects
Low Carbon Business Support: Phase 1 / The Unit
Low Carbon Business Support: Imperial Sports Ground
People in hi-vis
Bridges Electrical Engineering Ltd attract and retain top talent with Skills Bootcamps
People getting off a boat
Cleveland Pools
Augmented reality worker
TEKTowr
Bristol creative industry given boost to create opportunities to survive lockdown
Case study – Stevie and Tom
Kelp Industries Ltd t/a Kelpi – Business Innovation Fund