About the Project

  • Are you a refugee or person seeking asylum who has crossed one or more borders through unofficial or unauthorised routes in search of refuge, sanctuary or a safer life?
  • Are you interested in exploring creative tools to tell stories and express ideas about migration?

    • Migrant Voice and the University of Westminster invite you to take part in a free 11-day training course.

    Working together, participants will:

    • learn podcasting, photography and videography to share stories of migration that are not often heard in the news and public discussions
    • use stories, photos, videos and podcasts to challenge the language used to divide migrants and refugees into ‘legal’ and ‘illegalised’ categories
    • create together a new, more inclusive and accurate language on migration
    • help change how educators, journalists and policymakers talk about migration
    • take part in an exhibition that will showcase your creative work and contribute to public discussions about migration.

      • This unique initiative is taking place in several countries, with the University of Westminster and Migrant Voice running the UK workshops.

      What You Will Receive

      Local travel costs will be paid back, and meals will be provided for participants. They will also receive a thank-you voucher of £25 per day (in the form of a voucher, not cash). The voucher can be used to buy a wide range of everyday items, such as food and groceries, clothes, toys, music, technology and other products at participating shops.

      All participants will receive a certificate of participation.

      What You Will Learn

      You will be introduced to creative tools to share your ideas:

      • PodcastingYou will learn how to record, structure and produce a podcast.
      • Photography and Videography: You will take photos and create short videos using simple filming and storytelling techniques.
      • Storytelling Activities: You will take part in group storytelling games and activities to explore new ideas and language about migration, helping to create a new glossary of words about migration.

        • This is also an opportunity to socialise, be part of a community and join an international project to change how people talk about migration.

        Participation Requirements

        The workshop is open to people who:

        • Are going through the asylum process or have been granted refugee status, and who have crossed one or more borders in an irregular manner
        • Can attend in London for the full workshop period. Please note that travel costs from outside London cannot be covered.
        • Are able to attend the entire workshop period (Week 1: 8,9,10 September. Week 2: 14,15,16,17. Week 3: September 21,22,23,24 September. Sessions run from 10.30am-3.00pm each day)

          • No prior technical skills are required. All training will be provided during the workshop.

          Practical Information

          Location: Central London

          Dates: 8-24 September 2026 (over 11 days). The workshop will be delivered in clear, easy-to-understand English. Interpreters may be available if needed.

          How to Participate

          If you are interested, please complete this application form by 15 August or contact us by sending an email to Anne Stoltenberg at info@migrantvoice.org , or the research team: Haleemah Alaydi at Alaydih@westminster.ac.uk , or Roza Tsagarousianou at Tsagarr@westminster.ac.uk.

          Please include:

          • Your name and age
          • Languages spoken
          • Your country of origin
          • Phone number
          • Why you would like to take part

          This training is organised as part of the international project Crisis of Migration Discourse: A Participatory Approach to a New Lexicon of Migration led by the University of Westminster and the University of Reading (United Kingdom) and funded by HERA/CHANCE (EU) and the AHRC (UK).