you are always welcome here
We are committed to developing the skills and interests of participants and creating routes and roles for them to hold power within SBC’s projects and organisation.
Case Studies
A typical journey for a participant is to connect with us on a workshop series then move to employment as an interpreter, caterer or Lead Creative on an arts project, then for those who express interest in arts careers we provide shadowing and mentoring with our Directors which has seen numerous individuals become core team members, long-term Associates or Trustees.
OMID
Participant | Soap Box
Omid has been with us from the very first day of the programme, he is a participant whose journey epitomises resilience and growth. Prior to joining us, Omid faced challenges that hindered his confidence and integration into the community.
Through SBC’s weekly workshops and support, Omid's engagement flourished, marking a significant shift in his confidence. He evolved into a more interactive, welcoming figure within the group, setting an exemplary standard for behaviour and camaraderie. His advocacy work, advocating for people seeking sanctuary struggling in the UK, showcased his newfound confidence and commitment to societal change. He is passionate about using his voice and collaborates closely with charities such as City of Sanctuary on their various campaigns. A pivotal moment in Omid’s journey was when he got his Right to Remain in the UK, which further bolstered his self-assurance, paving the way for employment and a sense of stability.
Omid's transformation transcended personal growth, impacting the entire group with his infectious smile and open arms. His story is not just about overcoming individual challenges, but also about how structured support and joyful community engagement can ignite profound change in an individual, enabling them to become an integral and inspiring part of their community. Omid's case is a testament to the power of art and collective support in fostering personal development and societal integration. We are so lucky to have him as part of Soap Box and are excited to continue developing him as an artist and leader - he really does make the world a better place!
YULIIA
Participant | Soap Box
Yuliia joined Soap Box Sheffield in late 2022. Even though she was new, she quickly became friends with everyone. From her first day, Yuliia showed that she was friendly and made sure everyone felt welcome. She brought a lot of energy, making any place feel alive and creative. In only a few months, Yuliia became really good at acting. She took on hard roles and kept getting better. Whether she was acting alone or with a group, Yuliia always impressed everyone. But what made her really special was how she became a leader. She always helped others, gave advice, and was a true friend. Before big shows, she'd give pep talks to calm nerves. She was good at acting and leading, showing that she was ready for big things. In one memorable moment, Yuliia took on the role of a director for a scene in one of our shows. Even though it was her first time directing, she handled it with confidence and clarity. She guided the actors with a gentle hand, listened to their ideas, and found the best way to bring the story to life on stage. The scene was a hit, and many said it was one of the best in the show. It was clear that Yuliia didn't just have talent in front of the audience, but also a knack for leading from behind the scenes. She also started talking about what she wanted to learn next, showing her passion and confidence. For many at the theatre, Yuliia is an example of what hard work and friendship can do. She has big dreams and works hard for them. Every week, she comes back more excited, wanting to learn more and help the group. Yuliia began as someone just trying out theatre, but now, she's a symbol of how love for something and hard work can change a person. She has big plans for the future, and we think she might lead a place like Soap Box someday. With her energy, she can achieve anything!
DELBREEN
Participant | Youth Theatre Of Sanctuary
Delbreen has attended YTOS since 2021, he is originally from Syria, and he is 13 years old. At the start, he was really shy and preferred not to take part in most activities. By being part of a group where everyone is encouraged to share their ideas and create things together in a very fun and pressure-free way, this happens in every session by providing young people with the power to decide what to do, the games they want to play, and the projects they want to produce. We start every workshop by sitting in a circle, introducing ourselves and saying something we did during the week or how we are feeling, then we start with a game to break the ice and make kids feel comfortable and not pressured to do anything they don’t like. This helps develop a sense of belonging among participants and makes them feel that they are the ones in charge and the ones who decide what the company should do next. Delbreen started feeling more at home and confident when taking part in the activities and games we did every week. He found his voice by writing poetry that was performed on stage. Seeing his work come to life and getting cheers from others made a big difference. He learned new skills, made friends, and started believing in himself more. Now, he's not just taking part; he's leading, helping others, and showing by example how to be brave and speak up. It's been a real change, and it's all because he found a place where he could be himself and be appreciated for it. Delbreen joined us with little confidence in public speaking and a fear of expressing himself. Engaging in YTOS’s sessions, he soon discovered a passion for poetry writing. Through the nurturing environment of YTOS, he co-created a poem that was shared with the public as a part of Where We Belong (Migration Yorkshire’s Integration Festival) performance at The Winter Gardens. The process of writing, revising, and seeing his words brought to life on stage was transformative. Delbreen's journey with YTOS not only boosted his confidence but also solidified his aspiration to become a playwright and also to become the next PM using his experiences to tell stories that bridge cultures and understanding and his experience in public speaking and meeting important people around the city through our sharings.
MOHAMED
Participant | Soap Box
Mohamed's engagement with the Soap Box program began unexpectedly. He initially visited the group simply to meet a friend and had no plans to participate. However, the vibrant atmosphere and warm welcome he received upon his arrival made a significant impression on him. This inviting environment encouraged him to return and officially join the group. Mohamed’s involvement started just three weeks before the first scheduled performance of the group. Despite the short time frame and having little prior experience, he quickly became an active participant in the creative process. His natural affinity for the arts and the supportive nature of the group helped him to unlock a previously untapped passion for performance. Within weeks, Mohamed had not only written but also performed an important piece that was very well-received. The success of this initial performance was a pivotal moment for him. It not only boosted his confidence but also affirmed his artistic abilities, encouraging him to pursue more ambitious projects. This led to Mohamed joining every single session since then which has helped him to make friends and develop a sense of community and ownership in the room. He was always giving feedback on what he wanted to work on next and what activities he wanted to try. He was always supportive and a great friend to everyone in the room. building on his initial success, Mohamed took on a leadership role in the group. By September 2023, he was directing, writing, and performing in a shadow theatre piece. This was a significant step forward in his creative journey, allowing him to explore and refine his skills in multiple aspects of theatrical production. The success of this sharing has boosted Mohamed's confidence and made him want to get more involved in the directing and artistic side of theatre. this seems to be really exciting for him and he's always looking forward to what's happening next.
Emily Ntshangase | Trustee
Emily Ntshangase was introduced to us by the Refugee Council in 2013. EmiAs a former Yarl’s Wood detainee she was keen to share her story publicly. We collaborated on touring production ‘Tanja’ in which Emily went on to play the titular role, her first professional performance. Emily became an Associate Artist in 2015 leading various projects including Sanctuary Sounds and Signal Fires with Fuel Theatre and delivering talks across the UK. She works regularly with various arts organisations including a commission from Mafwa Theatre in 2021. Emily transitioned from SBC Steering group member to Trustee in 2022.
Tafadzwa Muchenje | Associate Artist
Tafadzwa Muchenje connected with SBC after watching ‘Tanja’ on tour. He was keen to share his own story and collaborated with us for our next touring production Where We Began. Tafadzwa led an ensemble of 5 international artists to critical acclaim in 2018, later developing the work and his story for our award winning documentary Where We Are, made in the pandemic. Tafadzwa has been an Associate Artist since 2018, he is a Social Media Manager for Channel 4 and SBC have supported Tafadzwa with a writing commission from ArtReach. SBC are currently developing Tafadzwa’s self-penned solo show ‘Where We’re Going’ for studio touring.