‘So, this kindness, you know, is very interesting’: Understanding the experiences of asylum-seeking parents participating in drama therapy-informed creative expression workshops

Families seeking asylum frequently face social isolation, disrupted identities and obstacles in obtaining psychosocial support during extended periods of uncertainty. This research examines the perspectives of facilitators and the experiences of participants involved in ‘Welcome Haven’, a community-driven creative arts and drama therapy programme for asylum-seeking families in Montreal. Employing a qualitative arts-based approach, data were collected through ethnographic field notes and semi-structured interviews with asylum-seeking parents who took part in the workshops. Following thematic analysis, the results reveal that the programme encouraged social connections, self-expression, cultural identity reconnection and emotional relief. Arts-based activities provided a secure and accessible environment that promoted emotional safety, co-creation and collective meaning-making. Participants reported decreased isolation and increased feelings of belonging through shared creative activities. These findings underscore the potential of community-based, arts-informed interventions to enhance psychosocial well-being and social integration among asylum-seeking families confronting structural and emotional challenges.