A World of Dreams

A map of the world, made by people who have travelled it.

World of Dreams began life as the Sanctuary Project, a National Lottery Community Fund supported project working with refugee, asylum-seeking and resettled communities across St Helens.

We commissioned artist Natasha Chapman to spend time in the borough long before anything was made. Over several weeks she met refugee and asylum-seeker support groups, the Refugee Resettlement Service at St Helens Council, ESOL learners at St Helens College, Café Laziz and Vision 4 You CIC. That groundwork mattered to us: we didn’t want people colouring in someone else’s design. A consultation workshop at the World of Glass gave resettled families the chance to play with ideas and shape what the artwork would actually become.

What they chose was a world map. Children, young people and families collaged it together from tissue paper and glue, then designed their own mini canvases inspired by memories, hope, joy and the things that make them happy, around fifty of which were built into the finished piece.

The artwork was originally due to be created at Wonder in the Street. When that event was cancelled we moved it to St Helens Minster on 13 June 2026, delivering it alongside Café Laziz, World Eats Day and the wider Refugee Week celebrations. Families arrived throughout the day, and by the end the artwork was complete, a picture of community, belonging and stories carried here from across the world.