New network aims to help integrate refugees into communities in Scotland

By The Press Association31st January 2019News ScotlandNews Scotland, Refugees / Asylum

A network of groups has been created to help integrate refugees into communities across Scotland.

New Scots Connect will provide tools and information about organisations around the country which are supporting asylum seekers and people seeking refuge.

Launched by the Scottish Refugee Council, the initiative will also give groups access to a communications platform so they can work together and share their experiences.

It is the first of its kind in Scotland.

Jewels Lang, communities manager at Scottish Refugee Council, said: “There are many fantastic community groups and voluntary organisations doing great work right across Scotland to make their communities welcoming, to tackle prejudices, and to support refugees to build new connections and new lives through different activities, from befriending and language cafes to employability schemes.

“The aim of New Scots Connect is to connect organisations to learn from each other, to share their expertise and to access support, in turn improving the social connections of refugees.

“We want to ensure that refugee communities and receiving communities feel strong, informed, empowered, and that their voices are heard.

“We hope that refugee and supporting communities across the country will connect with the network and, in turn, help to support integration in Scotland.”

New Scots Connect is part of a larger project to support community integration in Scotland.

Almost all of the country’s councils have now resettled families and individuals in need of refugee protection.