Articles

United for justice and truth

This is a speech delivered at Migrant Voice's network meeting on 25 June, 2025 'Longer settlement routes and higher visa costs: Where is migrant justice in the hostile environment?', looking at the implications of the government's recent White Paper Good evening, everyone. Today, I speak not only for myself, but on behalf of thousands of families who chose the United Kingdom as their home. Families who came here with dreams, courage, and a genuine desire to contribute, bringing their children, their hopes, and a simple dream: to belong. Since 2018,…

This is a speech delivered at Migrant Voice's network meeting on 25 June, 2025 'Longer settlement routes and higher visa costs: Where is migrant justice in the hostile environment?', looking…

Music for the moments I can’t explain

When Richard sings, he says, he feels more at ease. Not just entertained or distracted, but understood. “It brings out the voice that I cannot,” he says. “It brings out an explanation, tells more of the situation, or a feeling, bad or good. The pain, the moods. That’s what it does to me.” Now 26, Richard has been in the UK for three years. He came from Uganda, where he no longer felt safe, and claimed asylum on arrival. Since then, he’s been in limbo. “I have no status. I…

When Richard sings, he says, he feels more at ease. Not just entertained or distracted, but understood. “It brings out the voice that I cannot,” he says. “It brings out…

Putting ourselves in the picture: Robyn Marsack

I was born and grew up in New Zealand, in Wellington. I was born in 1953, and left in 1973. Passing the half way mark, when you realise that you’ve been longer in the country you’ve come to than in the country you were born in, is a very significant moment. Then you have those big questions such as what do you call ‘home’. I still refer to Wellington as home. But, of course, home is where my family is, and my family is here, so what you call home…

I was born and grew up in New Zealand, in Wellington. I was born in 1953, and left in 1973. Passing the half way mark, when you realise that you’ve…

Putting ourselves in the picture: Ivan Petrov

I’m 25 and I come from a small town in Bulgaria called Kazanlak. I had planned to go and study abroad and the UK seemed very suitable at the time. I picked Glasgow because I wanted to live in a big city and take advantage of the cultural scene and all the events that are on, just everything that a big city has to offer. My first impressions... it may sound a little anecdotal but, literally, it didn't stop raining for the first three days after I came here, so…

I’m 25 and I come from a small town in Bulgaria called Kazanlak. I had planned to go and study abroad and the UK seemed very suitable at the time.…

Putting ourselves in the picture: Louise Falconer

My parents are actually from Edinburgh. They migrated to Australia before I was born. In early 1970 there was a strong push from state governments to recruit more teachers from the UK, and my parents are both teachers. They initially went out there just for a couple of years, but they stayed although my dad still has a real longing for Scotland. Throughout my childhood we travelled to Scotland now and then, so being Scottish was part of my identity growing up. I graduated in Law and Asian Studies degree…

My parents are actually from Edinburgh. They migrated to Australia before I was born. In early 1970 there was a strong push from state governments to recruit more teachers from…

Putting ourselves in the picture: Ms Mushaka

I was born in Uganda, married in Zimbabwe and came to the UK in 2001. Back in Africa I worked at senior levels as a community development worker and as a consultant for disability and development NGOs. For over 10 years I worked on highlighting the plight of people living with disabilities in Uganda. I am now a naturalised British citizen, and have been working with Poverty Alliance for more than five years as a Fieldwork Development Officer. When I first came to Scotland, I was not allowed to work,…

I was born in Uganda, married in Zimbabwe and came to the UK in 2001. Back in Africa I worked at senior levels as a community development worker and as…

Putting ourselves in the picture: Hing Fung Teh

I was born in Malaysia, of Chinese ancestry. I came to the UK in 1973 as an accountancy student studying for ACCA in Birmingham Polytechnic. I felt a lot of excitement and had many expectations on my arrival to this foreign country, especially of seeing real snow. On one of my many trips around the country I met my future husband, Leong, in Glasgow. We have been married for 37 years now and have two grown up children, Han and Ying. We have lived in Kirkintilloch for the last 28…

I was born in Malaysia, of Chinese ancestry. I came to the UK in 1973 as an accountancy student studying for ACCA in Birmingham Polytechnic. I felt a lot of…

Putting ourselves in the picture: Sir Geoff Palmer

Migrants have really put themselves in the picture in Scotland: an exhibition of photographs by and about migrants at a Glasgow museum has attracted more than an estimated 150,000 visitors. The 60 portraits at the Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery are vivid proof of the many ways that migrants contribute to Scottish life. They also help ensure that migrant heritage is documented and recognised as part of Scotland’s past and present. Migration is not a one-way movement: a previous government estimated the worldwide Scottish diaspora (emigrants and their descendants) at…

Migrants have really put themselves in the picture in Scotland: an exhibition of photographs by and about migrants at a Glasgow museum has attracted more than an estimated 150,000 visitors.…

Lack of support for freed victims of modern slavery

One of the current government’s first announcements was a promise to clear the backlog of 23,300 modern slavery cases it had inherited and help get the victims’ lives back to normal. But even if their status is confirmed (and some of the other estimated 100,000+ modern slavery victims identified), survivors are not guaranteed support, such as counselling, safe housing and legal advice. This is because new laws allow the government to decide on a 'case-by-case' basis whether support is 'necessary' in each case. As a result, some survivors go through…

One of the current government’s first announcements was a promise to clear the backlog of 23,300 modern slavery cases it had inherited and help get the victims’ lives back to…

Volleyball - more than a sport?

You never know what might happen when you play volleyball in a Glasgow park. One day, it’ll be a playful dog who’ll snatch and destroy your pricey professional ball; another day an unassuming passer-by you let onto the pitch turns out to be a seasoned Argentinian player who ends up coaching your team. Several groups and clubs play in city parks and venues. The biggest, Glasgow Outdoor Volleyball Club (GOVC), brings together more than 150 players of different ages, backgrounds, and abilities. My own experience began several years ago when…

You never know what might happen when you play volleyball in a Glasgow park. One day, it’ll be a playful dog who’ll snatch and destroy your pricey professional ball; another…

Articles

Articles

United for justice and truth

This is a speech delivered at Migrant Voice's network meeting on 25 June, 2025 'Longer settlement routes and higher visa costs: Where is migrant justice in the hostile environment?', looking…

Music for the moments I can’t explain

When Richard sings, he says, he feels more at ease. Not just entertained or distracted, but understood. “It brings out the voice that I cannot,” he says. “It brings out…

Putting ourselves in the picture: Robyn Marsack

I was born and grew up in New Zealand, in Wellington. I was born in 1953, and left in 1973. Passing the half way mark, when you realise that you’ve…

Putting ourselves in the picture: Ivan Petrov

I’m 25 and I come from a small town in Bulgaria called Kazanlak. I had planned to go and study abroad and the UK seemed very suitable at the time.…

Putting ourselves in the picture: Louise Falconer

My parents are actually from Edinburgh. They migrated to Australia before I was born. In early 1970 there was a strong push from state governments to recruit more teachers from…

Putting ourselves in the picture: Ms Mushaka

I was born in Uganda, married in Zimbabwe and came to the UK in 2001. Back in Africa I worked at senior levels as a community development worker and as…

Putting ourselves in the picture: Hing Fung Teh

I was born in Malaysia, of Chinese ancestry. I came to the UK in 1973 as an accountancy student studying for ACCA in Birmingham Polytechnic. I felt a lot of…

Putting ourselves in the picture: Sir Geoff Palmer

Migrants have really put themselves in the picture in Scotland: an exhibition of photographs by and about migrants at a Glasgow museum has attracted more than an estimated 150,000 visitors.…

Lack of support for freed victims of modern slavery

One of the current government’s first announcements was a promise to clear the backlog of 23,300 modern slavery cases it had inherited and help get the victims’ lives back to…

Volleyball - more than a sport?

You never know what might happen when you play volleyball in a Glasgow park. One day, it’ll be a playful dog who’ll snatch and destroy your pricey professional ball; another…

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