Kazzum are passionate about advocating for the rights of young migrants. Our Pathways programme, founded in 2002, engages young asylum seekers, refugees and new migrants in a range of workshops to support their creativity and wellbeing.
Young refugees, asylum seekers and migrants are at a high risk of experiencing exclusion, isolation, prejudice and mental health issues.
Our Artists are experienced in providing accessible opportunities for our participants to express their personal agency and creativity.
Our practice focuses on the mental health needs of young people affected by displacement and trauma, providing opportunities to regulate stress, reduce isolation and develop skills. We work with organisations big and small to amplify the voices of young people settling in the UK as well as meeting their social and emotional needs.
Pathways is dedicated to multiple strands of work, including Creative Wellbeing projects, training and education for young people and awareness-raising workshops and online resources.
Creative Wellbeing: Working in long-standing partnerships with Refugee community groups across London, young people are supported in creative expression through multidisciplinary arts activities. Participants are encouraged to explore self-expression through games and discussion, develop friendships and English language skills and explore colour, shape, emotions, values and identity through visual arts. This work is sometimes shared with audiences through screenings, exhibitions and installations across the UK. Over the years we have built strong bonds with community groups including CARAS, Shpresa, Young Roots, Refugee Council and others.
Refugee Week: Throughout Refugee Week and the rest of the year we offer comprehensive online resources encouraging young people to reflect on the experiences of asylum seekers and refugees. These resources are free and have developed to include animations, activity packs, information packs and myth-busting quizzes. This vital work highlights the positive contributions of migrant communities, building empathy and challenging negative stereotypes. We have also previously delivered assemblies and creative writing workshops based around these resources in school across London, Essex and Kent. Access our activities and resource packs here.
Education and Training: We have worked extensively with ESOL students to develop transferable skills, social networks, confidence and wellbeing. Students received accreditation through the AQA Unit Award Scheme and also participated in professional work experience.
“I enjoyed everything, I learned new skills and I really enjoyed being with the other people.”
Reasons Why
61%+
Asylum seekers are 5 times more likely to have mental health needs than the general population. More than 61% will experience serious mental distress.
Visual arts contribute to the development of community and bonding, and help migrants reinforce their cultural identity.
Kazzum also works in collaboration with Praxis Community Projects to facilitate ‘Brighter Futures’ - an active group of young migrants united by a passion and commitment to challenge negative perceptions of migration. To find out more about recent projects please visit www.brighterfutureslondon.co.uk
Brighter Futures is made possible through the support of Paul Hamlyn Foundation, abrdn and Comic Relief.
To find resources designed to support children and young people’s understanding around issues of race and immigration click here.
“They made an effort to include everyone in the activities, demonstrating a solid
understanding of asylum seekers and refugee’s barriers and different levels of understanding/English. ”
“From the beginning to the end I’ve enjoyed everything.”
Work with us
If you are interested in collaborating with us, please get in touch:
This work has been generously funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, The Mbili Charitable Trust and Dentons Charitable Trust.
“We have for many years been aware of the excellent work that Kazzum does to empower young refugees through creative activities, and to raise awareness of refugee experiences among school students in the UK, both during and beyond Refugee Week.”
