Culture, Arts and Refugees
Emily Hunka
 | Emily HunkaVOICES Project LeaderGreenwich & Lewisham Young People's Theatre |
Biography
I am a writer and theatre facilitator. I started working with young refugees and other young people through drama when I founded the charity Rewrite, 7 years ago, which aims to bring together young people from different backgrounds to fight prejudice and injustice through the power of drama and creative writing. I have been VOICES Project Leader for Greenwich & Lewisham Young People’s Theatre (GLYPT) for 3 years, where I work with young refugees, asylum seekers and migrants to build confidence and self-esteem through drama, and with host communities to raise awareness and fight discrimination through the participatory drama workshops. I am project manager of the overall project, which consists of several different activities for young migrants aged 3-19. I deliver workshops, drama productions, scripts and presentations around the themes of the VOICES work.
The Peer Leadership Network programme has been an invaluable opportunity for professional development, strategic networking and development and exploration of sector practice. It will be useful in many areas of my professional work.
PLN Experience
The Peer Leadership Network for Arts and Refugees has been a very positive experience for my personal professional and my organisation’s strategic development. The major benefits came from strong networking opportunities from other leading sector professionals and organisations, and the chance to assess the position and future of the sector within this context. Other strong benefits were the range of speakers, workshops and discussions from strategic, voluntary and government sector organisations that were arranged for us by Creative Exchange. It gave me access to a level of understanding about funding, policy and the voluntary sector that enhanced my understanding and professional grasp of the position.
The Study Visit was very helpful indeed, and was very enhancing to my practice and experience. Not only did I meet a wide range of sector professionals in other parts of the UK, who were working with young refugees through drama – invaluable in terms of mapping practice – I also made very useful professional connections.
The most challenging aspects of the network were centred around time. The high strategic level discussions and policy and practice mapping were time-demanding and for myself the two days taking part in the network per quarter were just manageable but difficult because my time is so short. I believe this was the case with other members. This was and still is frustrating; I could see the inherent value of what we were discussing and that it needed more time to make it truly worthwhile, but knew I was not going to be able to devote the time to do it justice. Overall, however, I am glad I was given this invaluable opportunity to reflect and develop and be part of this national network.
Study Visit Report
Click here to read Emily’s Study Visit Report