The Paper Project: Reflections on a Decade of Work

The Paper Project began with a simple question: how can young people with experience of forced migration tell their own stories on their own terms?

Origins

In 2013, we gathered a group of young refugees and migrants at Ovalhouse. Many had arrived in the UK as unaccompanied minors. All had stories that deserved to be heard – not as trauma narratives for others' consumption, but as complex, creative expressions of identity and resilience.

The Boat as Metaphor

Paper boats became our central motif. Fragile yet buoyant, capable of carrying precious cargo across uncertain waters. The young people folded hundreds of boats, each one representing a journey, a hope, a life.

Performances and Impact

Over four years, we created multiple performances that toured nationally. "Sailing on an Uncertain Sea" played at the Southbank Centre. "Safina Al Hayat" (The Boat of Life) was recorded by BBC Arts. But the statistics do not capture what mattered most.

What Mattered Most

• Young people finding their voice and their power
• Audiences being genuinely moved to see migration differently
• A community of artists supporting each other through precarious times
• The continuation of practice – several participants now work professionally in the arts

Legacy

The Paper Project taught me that participatory arts at its best creates ripples that extend far beyond the project itself. It is not about the performances we made, but about the people we became together.