Support us in building a diverse and inclusive Scotland where everyone can achieve their potential
The Covid-19 pandemic has placed an unprecedented challenge on the work of the Welcoming Association.. As an organisation that works with New Scots (asylum seekers, refugees and migrant workers) who live in areas of multiple deprivation in Edinburgh, we are still facing pressures on all fronts.
No area of life for New Scots has been unaffected by Covid-19. It is true that refugees have access to public funds. However, they face additional barriers in accessing mainstream support services, particularly for the following reasons:
Health - Access to essential health services by refugees has been dramatically reduced due to the premises of many organisations being closed.
Economic inequality - The economic position of New Scots has deteriorated as a result of Covid-19. Most refugees and migrant workers are more likely to be in insecure jobs, furloughed or laid off, and if they have a job then they are more likely to be low paid.
What are we doing to support New Scots?
From April to September 2020, we supported more than 500 New Scots from over 80 nationalities to learn English, build skills, make friends and integrate into the community.
During the pandemic, we are continuing to provide our activities on an online basis. This has allowed us to support many hard-to-reach New Scots, especially those who were unable to travel to our premises in the past. Our online activities have also enabled us to break the isolation and low self-esteem of many New Scots.
The benefit of inward migration Inward migration is crucial to Scotland’s future prosperity. Scotland has demographic and geographical needs that are distinct from the rest of the UK, and it is essential that we are an attractive destination for migrants able to come here under prevailing UK immigration policy. In helping to achieve this, our strategic aims are to:
- encourage people from across the world to actively choose Scotland as their home
- enable New Scots to quickly settle, integrate and contribute to our country
- enable New Scots to engage in positive climate action
- engage established Scots of all ages in the process of welcoming new arrivals
- ensure effective partnership working with other organisations sharing these aims
- influence policy and practice to advance the integration and inclusion of our New Scots
What are we asking for?
The pandemic has made face-to-face and live fundraising events impossible. This means organisations like ours have been driven to rapidly redesign services and evolve income streams. It is for this reason that we are appealing for your support.
Winter is already here and the anticipated cold weather in the coming months will have a detrimental impact on New Scots. The lack of proper warm clothes and healthy food are among many of the factors that impact the wellbeing of New Scots.
We are asking for your donation so that we can continue providing our hardship emergency support to New Scots in Edinburgh during the winter period and beyond.
