The individual and community benefits of a weekly drumming session for men seeking asylum

This report written by Artist, Art Therapist and embedded researcher Emilie Taylor, highlights the transformative impact of weekly drumming sessions for men seeking asylum in Doncaster.  

Born from community feedback after the Manvers Riots, the project offers a creative space where participants can reconnect with music, find relief from stress, and build supportive relationships.  

Through the rhythms of drumming, men from diverse backgrounds say they have experienced improved mental health, a sense of belonging, and it has given them opportunities to share their cultures with the wider community.  

The sessions, led by experienced facilitators and supported by local organisations including Cast, Doncaster Conversation Club and Changing Lives, aim to help individuals heal from trauma and have also fostered greater understanding and cohesion in Doncaster.