Sharing Stories
Gathering reflections from Bedford's migrant and refugee communities.
Artists & Associates
‘Sharing Stories’ is a multi-arts project for and with first-generation migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, that creatively explores their stories, narratives and reflections. Continuing our partnership with LegalAliens Theatre, this programme facilitates the sharing of stories through a range of artistic practices, bringing together workshop-based creation, community participation, and live performance.
Over the next few months, through a series of workshops, communities and individuals will collaborate with artists towards a performance event at The Place Theatre, Bedford, on 7th November 2026.
Stories of Belonging
‘Sharing Stories’ draws on the expertise of LegalAliens Theatre’s hugely successful, pioneering and award winning work with migrant communities and refugees in London. This programme is open to all regardless of their English language level.
The project sets out to celebrate Bedford’s migrant and refugee communities through the reciprocal act of story sharing. In collaboration with these communities, artists will work with narratives gathered through workshops, translating lived experience into performance, installation, and visual art.
Refugee Week 15th-21st June 2026
On Wednesday 17th June, LegalAliens Theatre ran a story gathering and origami workshop at Bedford Central Library.
Participants were invited to drop in and share a story in any form – written, drawn or in any language – and fold origami paper into a crane.
These stories and cranes will later become part of installations, performance material and visual artwork as the project progresses towards a final presentation.
Members of the Bedford migrant and refugee communities can still anonymously contribute a story to the project by using the ‘Sharing Stories’ boxes that are located at BRASS (27b Tavistock Street, Bedford) and The Higgins (Castle Lane, Bedford). Paper and pens are provided.
LegalAliens Theatre partnership
In partnership with Bedford Creative Arts, LegalAliens Theatre are developing a sister project in Bedford that builds on the successful model of their Tottenham Project. Working with local communities, artists and partner organisations, the programme creates opportunities for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers to connect, share stories and develop creative skills through theatre-making. Together, LegalAliens Theatre and BCA are exploring how participatory arts can strengthen belonging, foster intercultural dialogue and support communities to shape their own cultural narratives.
This project is produced by Bedford Creative Arts in partnership with LegalAliens Theatre.
It is made possible with funding from Garfield Weston Foundation, The Rayne Foundation, The Wixamtree Trust, The Southall Trust and The Gale Family Charity Trust. It is supported by our regular funders, The Harpur Trust and Arts Council England.
