Arts for Social Change
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A 12-month digital storytelling project with newly arrived young people in Hillfields, Coventry
Supported by BBC Children in Need · November 2025 – November 2026
Belonging is a year-long creative project working with around 20 newly arrived migrant and refugee young people aged 14–18 in Hillfields and neighbouring areas of Coventry. Through a series of co-designed workshops, participants craft short audio and video stories — in multiple languages — about arriving, settling and finding their place in a new city.
These stories are then "placed" at meaningful local sites using new equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility features within our PLACES by EcoGPX® mobile app, building a living, geo-located map of youth perspectives on belonging in Coventry.
The project culminates in an indoor community celebration at a local venue, followed by an optional, supervised self-guided story trail that invites families and neighbours to walk Hillfields and experience the stories where they were made.
Hillfields is one of Coventry's most vibrant and culturally diverse neighbourhoods — and one of its most under-resourced. The area faces high rates of overcrowding, deprivation and child poverty, with limited access to green space. A significant proportion of residents are from minority ethnic backgrounds, and many have arrived in the UK within the past decade.
For young people newly arrived in the city, this can mean real barriers around confidence, language and social connection. Belonging responds by putting their voices at the centre — shaping how their neighbourhood is seen, heard and understood.
- Co-designed workshops in story development, basic media skills, mapping and safe digital publishing
- Creation of geo-located audio and video stories using the PLACES by EcoGPX® app
- A community celebration with pre-recorded showcase content
- A self-guided story trail around Hillfields, navigable through printed and in-app maps
- Ongoing support for multilingual expression and accessibility needs
Primary: ~20 recently arrived young people (14–18) from migrant and refugee backgrounds in Hillfields and nearby neighbourhoods
Secondary: Families, peers and local residents engaging with the stories and the positive narratives young people create about place and identity
- A strengthened sense of belonging, identity and connection to place among newly arrived young people
- Improved confidence and communication skills
- Foundational digital and media skills
- Stronger peer and family connections
- Greater community understanding of migrant and refugee experiences
- A durable, community-owned digital map of youth stories that outlasts the project itself
Delivery draws on IRPH's established EcoGPX® network alongside local partners in Hillfields.
We are working closely with Hills FM, whose studio space, equipment and strong community reach align closely with the young people at the heart of this project.
We are also partnering with Inini Initiative, a Coventry-based organisation supporting migrant, refugee and ethnic minority communities through culturally responsive wellbeing programmes, peer support, advocacy and community engagement. Inini's experience working alongside newly arrived communities will help ensure the project remains rooted in the lived experiences, needs and aspirations of participating young people and their families.
Additional partnerships with youth wellbeing practitioners, schools and local arts organisations are currently being developed.
The geo-located story map remains live and publicly accessible after the grant period ends — a permanent platform that sustains community pride and that future cohorts of young people can build on with their own contributions.
Our work prioritises anti-racism, accessibility and youth voice. Recent delivery in Coventry includes our EcoGPX® programme and the PLACES by EcoGPX® app — available on the App Store and Google Play, and developed in collaboration with local and international exchange partners.
Learn more at ecogpx.com.
Belonging is funded by BBC Children in Need (November 2025 – November 2026).
BBC Children in Need funds vital support for children and young people across the UK who are facing challenges related to mental health, poverty, social inequality and family circumstances. Thanks to the generosity of supporters, partners and fundraisers, the charity helps provide safe spaces, trusted relationships, practical support and opportunities that enable children and young people to thrive. BBC Children in Need is the UK's largest independent funder of youth work and is committed to helping every child and young person have the chance to be the best they can be.
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