Building her new community through Refugees Rock at The Climbing Hangar, Asha and other refugees have been able to find a mental escape, rebuild communities, and reconnect with the outdoors all through a love of climbing.
Refugees Rock is a free group climbing session founded at The Climbing Hangar in Liverpool and now running across eleven UK climbing centres. It is delivered in collaboration with Action Asylum and the British Red Cross.
Asha Panjwani is a film producer and director from Pakistan and part of the Refugees Rock community. Asha has been able to continue with her passions and find a love for the outdoors and climbing.
The Alpkit Foundation helped support the production of the film, Finding Freedom: The Story of Refugees Rock, which is set to premiere at Kendal Mountain Festival 2024. Asha was invited to take up the role of the films producer, with Dom Bush of Land and Sky Media directing.
It is a collaborative film that offers an insight into part of the refugee community in Britain, giving voice to those that have travelled here to seek asylum. The aim, to encourage understanding, spark a commitment to a shared humanity and give the Refugees Rock community an opportunity to take ownership of their own stories.
Asha arrived from Pakistan 5 years ago where she was a filmmaker focussing on women’s health and empowerment. The cultural conservatism in Pakistan deemed Asha’s films to be an attack on religious values, and the backlash eventually reached a point where continuing her work in Pakistan became impossible. For her safety, Asha had no choice but to leave.
Fast-forward to 2024 and she has found a new home in the UK. Whilst the transition was not easy, the help from Asylum Link Merseyside, Action Asylum and the Refugees Rock project at Liverpool’s Climbing Hangar has been invaluable. Through these charities, and with support from the Alpkit Foundation, Asha has been able to continue with her film work on this project, and made a new home and community built on the love of climbing and the outdoors.
We recently had a catch up with Asha as the film production drew to an end and she explained the importance and just how powerful Refugees Rock is.
“Refugees Rock came into my life about two years ago, and it’s been such a meaningful part of my journey here. The organisation does so much more than just provide opportunities for climbing or outdoor activities. They really focus on helping refugees find community and feel a sense of belonging in this new country. For someone like me, who had to leave behind everything I knew, that kind of support is invaluable.
It offers a space where people can reconnect with themselves, meet others who’ve been through similar experiences, and, most importantly, heal.
Personally, the project has given me a way to stay active despite my health limitations. They’ve encouraged me to take up hiking, which has become such a joyful part of my life. It’s improved my overall health, but more importantly, the emotional and mental strength that comes from being out in nature and sharing those moments with others has been transformative."
"What I love most is that we’re not just climbing or hiking; we’re creating bonds, sharing stories, and finding ways to rebuild our lives together; It’s created a space where we can all grow together, where we cheer each other on no matter how big or small the challenge.
We come from all walks of life, but as refugees, there’s this unique bond between us. The encouragement and camaraderie I’ve found here has boosted my confidence and given me a more positive outlook on the future. That sense of understanding, of being in this together, is what makes Refugees Rock feel like a family."
Hope, Resilience, and belonging
"For me, Refugees Rock represents hope, resilience, and a place where I truly feel like I belong. It’s helped me find confidence again, even after all the hardship I faced in leaving my home.
While my life has changed dramatically since leaving Pakistan, my passion for documentary filmmaking, women’s rights, and social justice remains at the core of who I am. Action Asylum and Refugees Rock have given me a platform to continue following my passions, though in different ways. I remain committed to using my voice and skills as a filmmaker.
I’ve accepted that my journey is far from over, but I am grateful for the opportunity the project has given me to rebuild and contribute to my new community. I remain hopeful that through our collective efforts, we can continue to create spaces where everyone, regardless of their background, feels seen, heard, and valued.
Even though I wouldn’t call myself a climber yet, I love being part of this world. For me, it’s not just about physical activity—it’s the connections, the encouragement, and the feeling of belonging. Every time I return, I’m reminded that I’m part of something bigger, and no matter how tough the climb (literally or figuratively), we’re all in it together.”
You'll be able to see 'Finding Freedom' Saturday 23rd during the 'Rise Up' session at Kendal Mountain Festival
Find out more about the epic work of Refugees Rock at The Climbing Hangar