Scottish Refugee Council are delighted to announce that we have secured funding from the Big Lottery Community Fund to establish the Afghan Citizens’ Information Service.
Hundreds of Afghans in need of safety are being resettled in Scotland following last summer’s regime change in Afghanistan. Several local authorities in Scotland have already welcomed families into their communities. These individuals and families, and the communities and refugee supporting organisations welcoming them, need information, advice and practical support.
In response to this need, we are piloting an Afghan Citizens’ Information line. Over the next 12 months, it will provide information to newly arrived Afghans.
When will the Information Line open?
The Information Line will open in April 2022 and the pilot will run for 12 months.
Throughout the project we will assess the service and, if appropriate, after 12 months we will support refugee groups to form a Social Enterprise to continue the service.
What will the Information Line do?
The objective of the project is to improve the social integration of newly arrived Afghan citizens in their new homes and communities across Scotland.
For newly arrived Afghan citizens, the service will:
- Provide access to information to help people adapt to life in a new country and new culture, which in turn aims to help them rebuild their lives and achieve their goals.
For existing refugees working on the service and their communities, the service will:
- Empower people with similar lived experience to share their expertise and support newly arrived refugees in Scotland to find their feet.
- Provide an opportunity for work experience and skills development which will enhance future employment and career.
For Scottish Refugee Council, the service will:
- Tie in with our strategic plan for 2020-2023, where collaboration with refugee communities is a key priority.
- Enable us to learn from the service about the needs of Afghans across Scotland, which will help us to enhance our services and advocate for change.
We’ve also been working with the Scottish Government and COSLA on a series of short films to help give Afghans arriving in Scotland a warm welcome. Find out more →
Find out more about our work with communities.
Find out more about the Big Lottery Community Fund.
