Knightswood Youth Theatre brings together young asylum seekers and refugees with young people from the local area to talk and share their feelings and experiences. They use drama as a medium for sharing stories and increasing mutual understanding and by putting on drama performances in the community, have helped the wider community to develop a better understanding of young people’s views and perspectives. The young people involved have also gained valuable creative skills and self confidence from taking part.

Since its formation, Knightswood Youth Theatre has taken part three times in the National Theatre of Scotland Exchange Festival and has performed at Refugee Week in Glasgow, as well as at theatres in Stirling, Edinburgh and Inverness. Its drama performances have tackled a diverse cross-section of controversial issues including dawn raids, racism, alcoholism, divorce, bullying, teen suicide, friendship and romance. Its members are now working on new material and are planning to take their performances to more community venues.

“We really enjoy doing drama and winning the award has made it even better. People are noticing what we are doing in a good way. It makes us feel like we’re doing something good, and makes us want to keep doing it.” says Fatma Mahfoudh, a Knightswood Youth Theatre member.

In 2008 the group won a Philip Lawrence Award for their outstanding contribution to the community.