CONNECTIONS: YOUTH LEADER REFLECTIONS
My First Show: Sharing Our Stories as Refugees - Written by Elya
A few weeks ago, I had an amazing experience that I’ll never forget. I was part of a show called “Happy People”, performed with other young people who, like me, came to Scotland as refugees. It was our first time doing something like this, and even though I felt a bit nervous at the beginning, it turned out to be a wonderful and powerful event.
The show was about our journeys, our feelings, and our cultures. I wrote something special for my best friend in Afghanistan about my new life in Scotland, and I had the chance to read it during the performance. It felt emotional but also exciting to share my words with others.
A lot of people came to watch us. They listened, watched, clapped, and smiled. Their support meant so much. It made me feel proud, seen, and valued. Through our stories, the audience learned more about our cultures, traditions, and what it’s like to start a new life in a different country.
I’m so thankful to the organisation and all the staff who supported us and gave us the chance to be part of the show. Without them, this beautiful experience wouldn’t have been possible.
This experience gave me confidence and helped me feel more connected to the community here. I’m truly grateful, and it’s a memory I’ll always keep with me.
Written by Wajya
The project we had in the last three months was very useful and educational not only for the youth leaders but also for the youth who participated in this project. We learned a lot from this project, especially respect. If we look from the beginning of the project to the end of the project, the youth learned how to respect each other and how to respect each other's religion, customs, and traditions.
Written by Toorpekay
When people are moving to a new society, learning the language is crucial. Without knowing the language, building any kind of communication can be very challenging. Therefore, knowing or learning the language is essential for every newcomer. For those moving to the UK, it's necessary to know or learn English. Fortunately, numerous organisations offer English language classes, providing various ways to learn, such as joining colleges, English courses which runs by local government, and participating in local community clubs.
Running social projects can also be very helpful and effective for newcomers who need to learn English and build their confidence. Over the past few months, we've run a theatre project for young refugees who were new to the UK and needed to improve their English skills. When we started our weekly sessions, they had basic English language skills, and some couldn't even clearly say their names. However, as the sessions progressed, we noticed significant positive changes. After a few sessions, their English vocabulary increased, and they began to speak more clearly and confidently. Now, they can express their feelings, share thoughts, and deliver short speeches about various topics related to their new society and life.
Initially, I thought the project would have limited impact on the young people's English skills, but I was pleasantly surprised by the noticeable changes during the sessions and the amazing results we achieved at the end. The project's effectiveness was truly impressive.
Connections is a collaborative project with Inspiring Young Voices and Eden Court, offering 12 drama workshops for young refugees and asylum seekers (ages 14–24) in the Highlands, focused on building confidence, communication skills, and exploring identity through creativity.
Book your ticket here to watch Connections as part of the Eden Courts Youth Arts Festival.