OUR STORY
Ali Ghaderi, Founder and Co-Director
“I faced many challenges after arriving in the UK as an asylum-seeker. These experiences inspired me to create a safe and welcoming space for young refugees and asylum-seekers to explore their creativity.”
We provide a safe and welcoming environment in which young people can take part in creative activities such as drama, storytelling, film-making and art.
What began as a small community in London has now grown to two hubs, one in Stoke-on-Trent and one in London, reaching over 1,800 participants.
Babylon Migrants Project was founded in October 2022 by actor, facilitator and refugee, Ali.
It came from the realisation that there are a large number of young asylum seekers, refugees and migrants who have no real provision and who are being kept isolated from society in hotels while their claims are processed in the UK.
A, Participant
““Participating in Babylon greatly alleviated my stress and provided me with the safe space I had been searching for. It was within this supportive community that I found the encouragement I needed to step outside my comfort zone.”
Babylon has grown, but lived experience remains at our core.
Led by and for young people from refugee, asylum-seeking, and migrant backgrounds, our creative and community-building activities help young people gain the creative skills, confidence, and support networks they need to thrive.
This gives us a deep and inherent understanding of the challenges facing our participants, and means we can quickly build strong, trusting relationships with them.
As one of our participants put it, “having someone around who understands you, without having to explain why, means a lot to me”.
Our Impact
Established in October 2022, Babylon Migrants Project has already made a significant impact in empowering young people through creative and community-building activities.
Since our establishment, we have collectively run over 100 workshops, reaching almost 1860 participants.
These workshops have provided valuable opportunities for personal growth, collaboration, and self-expression among young people from diverse backgrounds.
“I like everything about Babylon, it’s my safe space and go to spot.”
92%
Want to support our workshops?
In our London and Stoke-on-Trent hubs, we support over 70 young people—but the need is growing, and we can’t do it without you. To help continue our vital work, donate today to make a real impact.