Presented theatre productions exploring sanctuary, migration and belonging

We have hosted several productions and events that opened conversations around displacement, identity, resilience and connection. These included Afloat, Ukrainian Stories & the Merseyside Connection, Refuge Island and The Jeweller’s Daughter, helping audiences engage with lived experiences through storytelling. Through these performances, we have aimed to create opportunities for empathy, understanding and conversation.

Hosted regular ‘Home Cooked with Love’ events

These vibrant community gatherings celebrate families from diverse cultural backgrounds through food and creativity, providing an opportunity for people to come together in a welcoming and inspiring space. Over 4 events, we invited live music from eight musicians representing a range of cultures and traditions. Together, these events offered moments of celebration, storytelling and welcome, strengthening relationships within our local community. 

Facilitated eight Sanctuary Arts sessions across multiple venues

Delivered at Theatre Porto, local primary schools and Cheshire College, our Sanctuary Arts sessions provided welcoming, creative opportunities for children, young people and families seeking sanctuary. Activities included finger-painting, collage, printmaking and collaborative design work. Alongside individual creations, participants co-designed three larger community artworks, later exhibited at Theatre Porto during Home Cooked with Love events and the Everyone’s Welcome Exhibition in June 2025 as part of Refugee Week.  

“I hadn’t realised that Mahir was so creative and artistic. What a fantastic opportunity to develop his skills, get his name known and celebrate him” – ESOL Tutor of YRAS, Cheshire College, South and West  

Welcomed children and young people seeking sanctuary into regular activity

Over the year, 12 children and young people seeking sanctuary joined our regular drama groups and holiday projects, providing opportunities for creativity and self-expression, confidence-building, and friendship. By removing barriers to participation and offering inclusive spaces, we have worked to ensure young people feel welcomed as valued members of our theatre community. 

Feedback from families also highlights the value of consistent, welcoming creative opportunities. Elina and Yuru (aged 9) shared:  “I want to say a big thank you for all you do for us and for your time.” 

Delivered the Everyone’s Welcome Exhibition through the Ellesmere Port Cultural Learning Exchange 

As part of Refugee Week, we worked with six local schools to explore themes of welcome, identity and belonging through creative activity. The resulting exhibition of children’s artwork, was shared to school groups and to wider public audiences, helping spark community conversations about inclusion and sanctuary. 

Provided free access to live theatre for families seeking sanctuary

Across the year, we offered free tickets to 13 different performances, ensuring families seeking sanctuary could experience and enjoy high quality, accessible theatre in welcoming environment.  

“Thank you so much for the invitation and for arranging the tickets for us. The show was wonderful my child absolutely loved it, and we were very happy to take part so actively…. we are very grateful to you for that. Thank you again for your kindness and for creating such magical experiences for families.” –  Iryna, Ukrainian mother and her young children

Remained an active member of Cheshire West for Sanctuary

We have continued to support local sanctuary initiatives through active participation in Cheshire West for Sanctuary, working alongside the council’s Refugee and Asylum-Seeking Team, community organisations and voluntary groups. This has included hosting meetings, contributing to discussion and local collaborative action. 

Collaborated with University of Chester international students

Through a creative partnership exploring food and belonging, we worked with international students through discussion, planning, and creative activity. This included a collaboration with our weekly Sketch Club.  

“It was a great experience for me and I loved it and I am so grateful for this opportunity” – Merat, participant aged 17   

Shared learning at Borough of Sanctuary events

We presented at Borough of Sanctuary events, contributing to conversations about what meaningful welcome can look like in arts and cultural settings, while learning from others committed to sanctuary work across the borough. 

Invested in staff training and organisational development

We delivered training for staff members focused on what it means to be a Theatre of Sanctuary and how to create genuinely welcoming experiences for people seeking sanctuary. This continues to shape our approach across all our work at Theatre Porto. 

Raised awareness through regional media

We were invited onto BBC Radio Merseyside for an interview and helped raise awareness of our sanctuary work and the importance of inclusion, welcome and creative participation. 

Looking Ahead

As Theatre Porto marks one year since receiving Theatre of Sanctuary status, we remain committed to building on the relationships, learning and creative opportunities developed over the past year. 

As part of Refugee Week in June 2026, Theatre Porto will build on the success of last year’s school project, with Through the Eyes of Children, a curated exhibition bringing together work created by children from 8 primary schools across Ellesmere Port.

Working alongside artist and curator Jake Ryan, each school will develop its own creative response to the project, resulting in an exhibition shaped directly by children’s ideas, voices and making.

Alongside artwork created by participating schools, the exhibition will include contributions from sanctuary-seeking community groups that Theatre Porto works with, bringing together a range of lived experiences. These pieces have been created through arts engagement delivered by Theatre Porto in collaboration with families, schools and colleges in and around the Ellesmere Port area.

The exhibition will include children’s drawing, sculpture, text, sound, collaborative making and interactive elements, reflecting the wide range of approaches developed by participating schools and community groups. Alongside these works, a series of large-scale flags created by Jake Ryan using children’s words, symbols and drawings will explore ideas of kindness, acceptance and belonging.

Looking beyond Refugee Week, Home Cooked with Love will return in July 2026, continuing to celebrate food, creativity and cultural exchange while creating opportunities for connection between communities.  

In August 2026, Theatre Porto’s outdoor arts festival, Topsy Turvy, will include a special picnic event for sanctuary families as part of the festival programme, alongside celebrations marking Theatre Porto’s 40th birthday.

And more planned later in the year!

Theatre Porto’s remains committed to creating welcoming, creative spaces where sanctuary-seeking children, young people and families feel included, celebrated and connected to their local community.