WALK WITH US

Walk With Us is a landmark city-centre procession led by Mafwa Theatre for Refugee Week 2027.

Refugee, asylum-seeking, migrant and settled communities from across Leeds will work with artists to create banners, music and processional artworks before coming together for a joyful public celebration through the heart of the city.

The project builds on Mafwa Theatre’s established Refugee Week activity in Lincoln Green, taking this celebration citywide and creating a visible civic moment shaped with Leeds’s migrant communities.

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Mafwa Theatre has produced annual Refugee Week celebrations in Lincoln Green since 2022, reaching more than 1,500 residents through performance, workshops, discussion and community celebration.

In 2026, our activity grew into a three-day festival featuring over 20 performances and welcoming over attendances. Walk With Us takes the next step: carrying this established celebration from Lincoln Green into Leeds City Centre and creating a flagship public event for Refugee Week.

  • 1500+ residents reached through Refugee Week activity since 2022

  • 500+ attendances during Refugee Week 2026

  • 3 days of activity in 2026

  • 20+ performances in 2026

“Mafwa have created something

really special. It was wonderful

to see so many people from

the local area as well as across

Leeds coming together

with a combined joy.”

— BoomChikkaBoom, Refugee Week 2026 partner

  • 5 participating community groups

  • 5 Leeds-based textile artists

  • 2000 participants and audience members targeted

  • 1 major public procession through Leeds City Centre

Over six months, participating communities will work with artists to create banners, sounds and processional artworks reflecting experiences of migration, welcome and belonging.

The finished work will come together during Refugee Week, accompanied by music and performances from communities across Leeds.

“My confidence has grown. I used to say no to everything. Now I tell myself: You can do it.”

- Kuluhenna Drama Participant

Letter of Support

"I made new friends. I am more confident to speak with other people. I was lonely at home…Now I know some people”

- Kuluhenna Drama Participant

Our work is guided by a wellbeing framework co-created with participants. Our ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’ resource was developed in partnership with Forum Central in 2022, and it continues to shape our weekly sessions.

All Mafwa Theatre projects are delivered within our established safeguarding, safer-spaces and health & safety frameworks. The full risk register for routing/re:rooting can be accessed below.

Download the risk register

120%

increase in participants

between 2024 and 2025

Our full 2024 Impact Report provides data, case studies, partnerships and outcomes across our programmes

Read our Impact Report
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  • 100% of returning participants reported feeling ready for new challenges.

  • 90% of participants reported feeling more supported and connected.

  • 100% of participants reported feeling less lonely after attending sessions.

  • 100% of participants report feeling positive about their future after attending .

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  • “I’m the oldest, but I’m accepted here.”

    Kuluhenna Drama participant

  • “I was scared to ask for help, but now I feel stronger and braver.”

    Kuluhenna Drama participant

  • “I didn’t realise how much I needed to just dance, laugh with people, and feel better.”

    Kuluhenna Drama participant

  • “We’re like a big family. It’s a place where you can share your problems and feel seen.”

    Kuluhenna Drama participant

  • “I feel like I belong in my community.”

    Kuluhenna Drama participant

  • “I love dancing and moving. No more negative energy.”

    Kuluhenna Drama participant

  • “It gives me courage to try new things.”

    Kuluhenna Drama participant

  • “I’ve met new women from different religions, cultures, and languages.”

    Kuluhenna Drama participant

  • “I discovered my talent for acting. Some of us are parents under a lot of pressure, and this helps us forget the stress.”

    Kuluhenna Drama participant

  • “When my kids go to school, it is very quiet but when I come here I feel happy!”

    Kuluhenna Drama participant

  • "I was not confident to speak in front of people but I can now speak"

    Kuluhenna Drama participant

  • "When I joined Mafwa I felt I was alive again"

    Kuluhenna Drama participant