Sadia Sikander writes about the challenges she faces as a refugee in Scotland, from the emotional toll of societal hostility, systemic barriers, navigating unfamiliar systems and finding employment. Sikander also highlights the need to hold onto hope in the face of overwhelming obstacles.

Roots of Refuge, at The Hidden Gardens, aims to celebrate inclusion, solidarity, and diversity in Scotland whilst amplifying the urgent call from the national campaign, Fair Begins Here, urging the UK Government to discontinue the Rwanda scheme.

Refugee Festival Scotland has announced an exciting line-up of events sharing the stories of people and communities who have settled in Scotland. Including a whole host of events in Glasgow’s Southside, including Govanhill and the surrounding areas.

During lockdown, Greater Govanhill editor Rhiannon reported on how some community spaces were supporting those in need by providing food provisions. Three years on, little has changed, except for the increase in the number of people seeking support. 

In Episode One of our new podcast we have co-launched with The Ferret, we look into the challenges of child and infant health and wellbeing across Scotland and beyond.

We chat to Amma Birth Companions about the valuable work they do in advocating for expectant refugee and asylum seekers. They tell us about the health inequalities that women of colour experience when accessing maternal health services.

In this edition of our series highlighting the work of volunteers around the area we meet Kim, a volunteer English teacher at MILK, a social enterprise on Victoria Road that was set-up to support and empower refugee and migrant women.

In his documentary Glasgow Welcomes Refugees, South-American Filmmaker Jose Maria Martinelli shares the experiences of two Scottish activists, Jock Morris and Margaret Woods, who detail the history of the Glasgow Campaign to Welcome Refugees.

“Despite studying my master’s degree in migration, it is only through experience that I was able to understand how badly the UK immigration systems affect people.” In our series that explores the lives of people who have made Govanhill their home, we spoke to Noha Al-Maghafi an artist and musician from Yemen.

In the run-up to Refugee Festival Scotland 2023, Greater Govanhill ran a series of filmmaking workshops for New Scots that helped them to create short films on the stories that matter to them. Watch the shorts below.

The Bowling Green and Love Jam Glasgow brought the community together to celebrate the summer solstice and the Refugee Festival during Refugee Week and local residents from all walks of life joined in the festivities.

When the group of New Scots we supported to produce a radio show won runner up at the Refugee Festival Media Awards, it was one of the proudest moments for Greater Govanhill – and a reminder of how important it is to pass the mic and provide a platform for new voices.

The Scottish Refugee Festival Scotland is returning from 16-25 June with the theme of hope – ‘showcasing inspiring stories and sharing hopes and dreams for a better future’

If you have experience of the asylum system, you can sign up to take part in a series of video storytelling workshops that we will run through May. The films made will then be screened as part of the Scottish Refugee Festival in June.

The Illegal migration bill has come under heavy criticism from campaigners who call it unworkable, and have dubbed it the ‘Refugee Ban Bill’. Alison, Thewliss, MP for Glasgow Central, believes that we can – and must – do better.

Issue 8 of Greater Govanhill poses the questions — What does integration mean to you? We delve into the slippery term and speak to community organisations to hear their take on the word.

In Issue 7 of the magazine, Summer Jamal found out more about the talented bunch of musicians who share songs and sounds of home through the Musicians in Exile ensemble based in Govan, Glasgow.

Following a successful crowdfunding campaign, a new book based on experiences in the ‘worst refugee camp on Earth’ is to be published by Glasgow-based social enterprise publisher, Arkbound.

Initially released in 2021, Adam is a film based on the true story of a young trans man from Egypt seeking asylum in the UK. It was shown as part of the Scottish Refugee Festival at the Glasgow Film Theatre.