August has been a month filled with creative arts workshops for RST, leading up to a large performance as part of the Just Festival’s Just Together showcase event in the spectacular surroundings of St John’s Church on Princes Street in Edinburgh. This performance celebrated RST’s 21 years of supporting destitute refugees and asylum seekers in Scotland, and explored some of the challenges we have faced over the years, alongside a snapshot of the changing policy landscape.
We were delighted to have three talented artists supporting our workshops, beginning with Nihad al Turk’s painting session to create painted scenery panels representing different countries.
Emma Smith brought the skills she uses as a member of Musicians Without Borders to our music workshop, sharing techniques to get to know participants and practice English through song and movement. Finally Helen Boden led a creative writing workshop to develop poems based on the painted panels:
Iraq
Land of kindness,
Where the tea appears,
with cakes, like magic,
And we settle on the carpet
To tell stories
The performance and workshops were a great success, and we would like to extend a huge thanks to everyone who participated in the development and performance of the piece, and everyone who joined us on the night to enjoy the final night of the festival. Particular thanks are due to Sarah Tolley, our dedicated and creative events volunteer who devised and developed the performance and stage-managed the event on the night. Thank you! 
