Push/Pull
Stories of movement, identity and belonging
Push Pull is an ongoing participatory storytelling project exploring migration, identity and the forces that shape how and why people move through the world.
Developed through collaborations with communities, artists, educators and international partners, the project creates opportunities for people to share experiences of movement, displacement, belonging and home. Drawing together theatre, storytelling, digital technology and community participation, Push Pull explores migration not simply as a political issue but as a deeply human experience.
At the heart of the project is a simple question: what pushes people away from one place and what pulls them towards another?Participants are invited to explore this question through personal stories, collective conversations, creative workshops and digital storytelling. In doing so, the project creates space for dialogue across cultures, generations and lived experiences, helping participants develop empathy, understanding and new perspectives on one of the defining issues of our time.
The project has its roots in international collaborations that brought together participants from different cultural backgrounds to explore migration through creative practice. These exchanges demonstrated the power of storytelling to connect people across geographical, social and cultural boundaries, creating opportunities for shared learning and mutual understanding.
Young Syrian migrants tell their stories of migration in Vienna.
Today, Push Pull continues to evolve as a flexible Story System that can be adapted to different places, communities and contexts. In 2026, the project is being reimagined in Worcester through a new programme of workshops, community engagement and creative development exploring migration, identity and belonging within the city and wider region.
Using C&T's Prospero platform, participants can contribute stories, reflections, images and creative responses, creating a growing archive of voices and experiences that connect local perspectives to wider global conversations. This combination of live participation and digital engagement allows the project to extend beyond individual workshops and performances, supporting ongoing dialogue and collaboration.
Push Pull demonstrates how storytelling can be used to explore complex social issues while creating opportunities for connection, creativity and participation. Rather than seeking simple answers, the project encourages participants and audiences to engage with multiple perspectives and to recognise the diverse experiences that shape contemporary communities.
Through theatre, technology and conversation, Push Pull creates spaces where stories can be shared, heard and valued, helping build understanding across difference and contributing to more inclusive and connected communities.
Project Overview
Project Title
Push Pull
Programme
Projects
Story System
Place Stories
Status
In Development
Lead Partner
C&T
Partners
Community Organisations • Artists • Educators • International Collaborators
Location
United Kingdom • International • Worcester (2026)
Participants
Communities with lived experience of migration • Young People • Community Groups
Themes
Migration • Identity • Belonging • Social Justice • Community Dialogue • Cultural Exchange
Outputs
Creative Workshops • Digital Stories • Community Participation • Performance • Story Archive
Digital Infrastructure
Prospero
Current Stage
New Worcester-based iteration in development for 2026, building on earlier international collaborations and exploring contemporary experiences of migration and belonging.
Related Sectors
Community & Inclusion • International • Education • Arts & Culture
Related Programme
Research & Development