BEYOND THE WALLS

Due to the success of our participatory film Empowering Voices, we were commissioned to co-produce another film for Gloucester City Homes representing the experiences of young people of housing services in Gloucester.

We were commissioned by Gloucester Culture Trust to develop an accessible, conversation-led leadership resource to inspire young people in Gloucester.

In response we created the “Voicenote” series, a collection of short, audio-visual conversations between Chispa young leaders and established leaders from across the city. Inspired by the familiarity of voice messages, this format offers an informal, relatable way to explore leadership through lived experience, personal reflection, and practical insight.

Each conversation captures authentic perspectives on leadership in Gloucester, what it means, how it’s practised, and how it can support stronger, more connected communities.

It was a pleasure to work with Chispa on this project. GARAS supports refugees and asylum seekers who face very specific challenges around housing, often alongside language barriers and limited understanding of the UK housing system. Chispa approached the work with care, flexibility and a genuine willingness to adapt their methods to suit our clients. They created a dedicated workshop, adjusted their usual format to avoid re‑traumatisation, and worked with tact and compassion throughout. The resulting film communicates our clients’ experiences powerfully and respectfully.

Jennie Watts
GARAS