Phase 2: Speaking to power
Between September and December 2025, the project moved into the second phase of the arts-based research process in the UK. This built directly on the scoping phase of this strand of the research back in 2024.
The project team wanted to ensure these experiences could be discussed with decision makers, stakeholders and the wider community to see where research can lead to action.
Participants from the first phase were invited to a series of weekly workshops, led by Dr Matthew Elliott and Mafwa Theatre.
Each of the groups voted on a singular theme or issue that they wanted to take forward for public discussion. This work reflects our participant led approach whereby the community decide what they want the focus to be as opposed to a policy driven or wider political agenda.
This meant that the separate groups all chose different issues to focus on which exemplified the multitude of communication modes within families and communities. Themes chosen included male mental health, intergenerational cultural practices and healthy relationships.
Find out about the third and final phase of this part of the research which will bring all three communities together over five days in July 2026.
Performance workshops
Mafwa Theatre - You’re invited
The Kulahenna drama group chose to focus on intergenerational relationships in families and how cultural practices are passed from parents to children.
The performance took place in an immersive theatre format with audiences entering into the family party where such intercultural discussions are taking place.
The performance was followed by a short workshop.
Leeds Refugee Forum men's group – Food for Thoughts
The men’s wellbeing group at Leeds Refugee Forum decided to focus on masculinity and its relation to mental health.
Food for Thoughts was framed as a performance workshop with live music and facilitation by Tony Cealy.
Whilst the audience ate lunch and discussed, members from the men’s group shared short performances, songs and poems.
Co-op Academy – Unfinished Story
The students at Co-op academy continued a discussion on healthy relationships which resulted in a peer-peer forum theatre session with year 10 participants performing to an audience of year 7 students.