A lot has happened in the last 12 months. Let’s take a look at some of Scottish Refugee Council’s key moments from 2024.
January
We began the year by calling for the length of time people are given to find new housing after getting refugees status to be increased from 28 to 56 days. Reports show that a 28-day move-on period leaves people at high risk of homelessness and extreme hardship.
We launched Arts Open, giving artists seeking safety the opportunity to share their work with new audiences during Refugee Festival Scotland 2024.
February
To mark LGBT History Month, we spoke out against then Home Secretary, Suella Braverman’s suggestion that people seeking safety were “gaming the system” by pretending to be gay.
On 14 February, people across Scotland took part in a UK-wide Fair Begins Here Valentine’s Day action. Thousands of us shared hearts and messages of solidarity, showing politicians and the media that we want an asylum system that is well-run, compassionate and fair.
March
To mark International Women’s Day, we celebrated with refugee communities in Inverclyde and shared the voices of Women’s Peer Support Network members across Scotland.
We also backed the Gaza Families Reunited campaign calling for Palestinians in the UK to be able to bring their families to safety.
As the financial year came to an end, we reflected on what we have achieved together. Between April 2023 and March 2024, we helped more than 7,800 people from 98 countries rebuild their lives in Scotland.
April
April was a busy month, starting with a fabulous Spring Ceilidh which raised over £9,400! Thanks so much to everyone who came along and helped make the night a success. Our new Scottish Refugee Council tartan, created by Slanj Kilts, was unveiled at the event.
We launched our Scotland-wide Refugee Support Service, providing essential information, multilingual advice and practical support to communities.
When the shameful Rwanda Act became law, we stood in solidarity with people seeking safety and shared information and advice to help those affected.
In more positive news, we joined women and children seeking safety in Aberdeen to celebrate Eid and Nowruz.
May
We announced the exciting line-up for Refugee Festival Scotland 2024 with the help of Ukrainian musicians, Progressive Time, and artists from Central and West Integration Network.
And we celebrated a truly inspiring bunch of community leaders as they graduated from our third New Scots Leadership Programme in a joyful ceremony at Civic House.
June
People across the country rose up in celebration for Refugee Festival Scotland 2024 with more than 170 events showcasing art, culture and community. To mark the occasion, artists Huss and Malini Chakrabarty were invited to design a special edition front cover for The National dedicated to refugees across Scotland.
We honoured excellent journalism at the Refugee Festival Scotland Media Awards. The annual awards ceremony recognises and rewards the importance of responsible reporting on refugee and asylum issues.
On World Refugee Day, (20 June) our CEO, Sabir Zazai, received an honorary degree from the University of Dundee. And we gathered at the CCA in Glasgow in solidarity with the 120 million people around the world who have been forced from their homes by conflict and persecution.
Thanks so much to our incredible festival ambassadors for helping to raise awareness and understanding by sharing their stories.
July
After 14 years of Conservative rule, a new Labour government was elected in Westminster. Within days, the Rwanda Plan was scrapped. We welcomed the opportunity for a change, setting out our hopes for a fairer and more compassionate approach to refugee protection.
We also launched an online guide to help people plan their next steps after getting refugee status.
And we bid a fond farewell to our longest serving member of staff, Rosanne Alexander, who retired after 32 years with Scottish Refugee Council.
August
We were horrified as racist riots swept across the UK, creating fear in our communities. We stood in solidarity with everyone affected and shared information and advice to help people stay safe.
In more positive news, our No Borders Comedy event at the Edinburgh Fringe raised over £2,100 in support of people seeking safety. Thanks so much to fabulous comedians, Jay Lafferty, Jin Hao Li, Lauren Pattinson, Hasan Al-Habib, Vittorio Angelone, and Rosco McLelland – and to everyone who came along to enjoy the show.
We worked alongside the Scottish Government, COSLA and refugee communities across the country on plans to support people seeking protection as they rebuild their lives in Scotland.
And to mark International Youth Day, our Young People’s Voices group launched a new report advocating for asylum-seeking youth in Scotland.
September
New research found thousands of people in Scotland are being forced into extreme poverty and homelessness by hostile UK immigration policies.
This was reflected in increased demand for our Refugee Support Service helpline. In the three months from June to August, we answered more than 3,300 calls from people in 22 local council areas in Scotland.
15 fab fundraisers challenged themselves to Zipslide the Clyde, raising over £5,500 for our work. And we welcomed 16 new activists and entrepreneurs to our forth New Scots Leadership Programme, run in partnership with Social Enterprise Academy.
Many people struggle to find work after getting refugee status. Annie joined our refugee employment programme, which led to a work placement and then a permanent job. She spoke to us about her experience.
October
We wrapped up our three-year Cross Borders arts programme for creatives from migrant backgrounds. Over 36 months, the project supported more than 100 community organisers, artists, activists and journalists through mentoring, networking and commissions.
The Scottish Government announced a recommitment to provide free bus travel for people seeking asylum by 2026. We explained why this policy matters.
And we caught up with Henry, one of our case work volunteers, to find out how he’s helping people facing homelessness and destitution to find hope.
November
Artwork created during Refugee Festival Scotland in partnership with people living in hotel accommodation was given a new home with a charity in Aberdeen.
We held a series on online information sessions about eVisas, which are set to replace Biometric Residence Permit cards on 31 December.
The sold-out No Borders Comedy night at Glee Club in Glasgow raised over £8,600! Shout out to our fantastic comedians, Mark Nelson, Stuart McPherson, Sam Lake, Chris Thorburn, Paul Black and Susie McCabe.
December
In the final month of the year, things came full circle with news that refugees will now have 56 days to find somewhere new to live after getting a positive decision on their asylum claim. After campaigning on the issue back in January, we welcomed the change in policy, which almost doubles the move-on period for new refugees.
Scotland is in the grip of a housing crisis and it’s having a devastating impact on people, like Hamid, who are fleeing war and persecution. We’ve launched a Winter Appeal to help refugees in urgent need.
After 13 years of conflict in Syria, the Assad regime was toppled. For many Syrian refugees, this evolving situation offers hope for an eventual return home but much remains uncertain. We’re monitoring the situation closely and continue to stand in solidarity with Syrians in Scotland, and around the world.
Find out more about our work and the difference it is making to people’s lives
Images by Becky Duncan from Open Aye, Angela Catlin, Paul Chappells, Polina Perfilieva and Scottish Refugee Council staff and volunteers
