North East Regional Gathering Review Report

This project is part funded by the EU Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund. Making management of migration flows more efficient across the European Union. 1 North East Regional Gathering Review Report North East Regional Gathering Review Report 2

Section 1 Section 2 Event Agenda Event Details Regional Gathering in , 1st of February 2020

Event Title North East Regional Gathering AGENDA Event organised by Regional Integration coordinator for North East Time Area Task

Event Venue St. Peters Free Church, 4 St. Peter Street, Dundee 11.00 – 11.30 Registrations and welcoming Entrance and Main Hall 30 mins Event Date Saturday 1st February 2020 11.30 – 11.40 Welcome and Opening performance Main Hall 10 mins Event Start – End times 10.00 – 3.30pm 11.40 – 11.50 Story from the East Main Hall 10 mins

11.50 – 12.00 Speakers / Scottish Refugee Conuncil Main Hall 10 mins

12.00 – 12.45 Mapping of Al Zaatari Camp / conversation Downstairs Hall 1 45 mins

12.45 – 2.00 Food and socialize Main Hall, Downstairs Hall 1 and kitchen 1hr 15 mins

2.00 – 3.00 Arabic Music History and performance Downstairs Hall 1 1 hour

2.00 – 3.00 Services chat / exchanging experiences Main Hall 1 hour

3.00 – 3.30 Dance and finale performance / Closing Main Hall 30 mins

KIDS Time Area Task

11.30 – 1.30 Parklives Dundee programme Outside Courtyard 2 hours Family activity/sports

11.30 – 3.00 Mask making and accessorising Upstairs Hall 2 3hr 30 mins

11.30 – 3.00 How it felts kids workshop/Puppet Making Upstairs Hall 2 3hr 30 mins /Jewellery Making 3 North East Regional Gathering Review Report North East Regional Gathering Review Report 4

Section 2 Section 3 Event Agenda continued Attendees

Total number of attendees (Community and Charity) NEW SCOTS CONVERSATIONS The registration sheet indicates that around 300 • Scottish Faiths Action for Refugee (Religious) people attended the event. This did not count • Dundee Central (Religious) Time Area Task everyone attended during the event as there were extra helpers and entertainers during the day. The • Children at War, Humans of Syria, Young Lens 12.00 – 12.45 Collecting questions about services from Main Hall actual number was around 320. and Antonio Olmos (Art and Photography) 45 mins Refugees and Asylum seekers Organisations attending in an ‘Groups’ contributing to the event official capacity – e.g. musicians, entertainers, caterers etc. Lunch Time Answering the questions / Finalising the Main Hall conversation • Action for Children • Aberdeenshire Council (Transportation (Community/children and young people) and registration ) 2.00 – 3.00 Open Conversations about New Scots Main Hall • Perth Citizen Advice Bureau (Charity) • Perth and Kinross Council (Transportation 1 hour Strategy Themes • Dundee International Women Centre and registration) (Education, Employment and Community) • Angus Council (Transportation and registration) EXHIBITION • Scottish Refugee Council (Staff and Volunteers) • Perth Citizen Advice Bureau/Informational Stall • Grampian Regional Equality Council /GREC (Charity) Time Area Task (Community) • Dundee International Women Centre/Informational • Amina Muslim Resource Centre Stall (Education, Employment and Community) 11.00 – 3.30 Humans of Syria, Young Lens and Antonio Main Hall (Education, Employment and Community) 4hrs 30 mins Olmos Photography Exhibition • Scottish Refugee Council (Staff and Volunteers) • Leisure and Culture Dundee/Parlives • Amina Muslim Resource Centre/Informational Stall Programme (Community, Charity) (Education, Employment and Community) STALLS • Yvonne Stewart – Children’s Activities • Leisure and Culture Dundee/Parlives Programme/ /Artist (Homes and mask making) Family Activity (Community, Charity) Dundee International Women Centre Main Hall • How it Felt Activities (Arts and Crafts) • Children’s Activities/ Artist • With Refugee Broughty Ferry (Charity) (Homes and mask making) Amina Muslim Women Centre Main Hall • Dundee City Council (Local Authority) • How it Felt Activities Puppet making (Arts and Crafts) • Perth and Kinross Council (Local Authority) • With Refugee Broughty Ferry /Informational Stall With Refugee Broughty Ferry Main Hall • Aberdeenshire Council (Local Authority) (Charity) • Aberdeen City Council (Local Authority) • of (University) One World Centre / Aberdeen for a Fairer World Main Hall • Angus Council (Local Authorities) • Dundee Central Mosque/Taught by Mohammed / • University of Dundee of Scotland (University) Sizzler Food Catering (Religious) Citizen Advice Bureau / Perth Main Hall • University of Aberdeen (University) • Tesco/Dundee Riverside Branch (Food Catering) • University of St. Andrews (University) • Vegware (Food Catering) ParkLives Dundee / Leisure and Culture Dundee Main Hall • Al Amal group (Refugee Led Group) • Syrian musician • Friends of Amal (Volunteers) • Refugee Led Band from Dundee (Music) • Al Salam Project Aberdeen • Children at War, Humans of Syria and Young Lens (Refugee Led Group) (Art and Photography) • Pitlochery Festival Theatre 5 North East Regional Gathering Review Report North East Regional Gathering Review Report 6

Section 3 Section 4 Attendees continued Event Reporting

The local member of Parliament was also due to Refugee groups and Asylum Seekers in The New Scots Regional Gathering in Dundee was In addition to the stalls, we planned to collect attend and speak at this event but he was unable to attendance by geographic area an open invitation from Scottish Refugee Council to requests, questions and problems faced by the New participate and sent his apologies in advance. refugees, asylum seekers, community groups and Scots and try to answer or signpost them where Refugee Groups were in attendance from the residents of the North East of Scotland to gather, chat appropriate with an open Question and Answer One World Centre and Aberdeen for a Fairer World following areas: and collaborate together towards “Building Bridges, session which was planned in the Gathering for the were also meant to be in the Gathering, They also had • Aberdeenshire • Aberdeen Not Walls” in Scotland. afternoon with the help of all the practitioners with a stall booked for information about education at school expertise who attended the event. but for unseen circumstances, the two organisations • Dundee • Angus Integration is a two-way process in which New Scots were unable to attend and sent apologies. and communities learn and adapt to each other to The event was also a fun-filled family day with • Perth and Kinross build a shared future. Focusing on this, the Regional performances, music, exhibitions, food and dance. Refugees from Fife and Clackmannanshire were Gathering in Dundee was an initiative to celebrate It was planned with the intended outcome being that invited to the Gathering but the groups supporting and present some of the cultural aspects from where Social Connections (improving social bridges, links them were unable to organise a trip at that time to the refugees come from; as well as learning about and bonds) amongst refugees would be improved Dundee. Scottish Refugee Council will try to invite what the New Scots Integration Strategy is and the and more cultural awareness would be raised within those groups to the next planned National Gathering. progress it is making to address integration throughout the local community about where the refugees and Scotland. asylum seekers come from.

This family-friendly regional Gathering was held on Saturday the 1st of February at the St. Peters Free Church, 4 St. Peters Street, Dundee. “People spent more The event was an opportunity for refugees living in Dundee, Angus, Perth and Kinross, Aberdeenshire than three hours on and Aberdeen to come together and engage with the New Scots Integration Strategy. The stalls in the event their one-way journey were directly linked to different themes within the New Scots Strategy: to come to the • Health and Well-being Gathering. It shows Parklives and Leisure and Culture Dundee / Kids and family activity. the motivation New • Education One World Centre and Montgomery Dec. Scots have to meet • Community and Equality support Dundee International Women Centre, Amina new people from and with Refugee Broughty Ferry. different areas and • Rights and entitlements Perth Citizen Advice Bureau. learn more about communities in Scotland.” 7 North East Regional Gathering Review Report North East Regional Gathering Review Report 8

Section 5 Section 6 Key messages/outcomes Event Evaluation

Key Conclusions • The majority of those attending agreed the Lessons Learned • New Scots from NE and NW of Scotland had importance of these Gatherings for New Scots as the chance to meet many new friends and mix • The Gathering was a great opportunity for refugees • With a big turn out during the day, we were unable well as for local communities. It was good to show and asylum seekers from different areas to meet to do the question and answer session planned for with people who had the same background and different cultural aspects and experiences. It was and socialise. Many New Scots were really keen the afternoon. Even though some of volunteers experiences as them but from different localities. also a great opportunity for New Scots to practice to attend and that is reflected by the turnout on were able to collect questions from the New Many exchanged numbers and promised future their traditions, music and dances in such a relaxing, the day which till the last minute was not expected. Scots regarding different issues, the crowds` wishes visits after the Gathering. That helped in improving friendly but cheerful environment. Everyone was People spent more than three hours on their one- to move the Arabic music workshop to the main the Social Bonds in the North of Scotland between really happy, relaxed and felt a sense of belonging way journey to come to the Gathering which was hall for everyone to enjoy meant we had to cancel New Scots. at the end of the day. They also stressed the hugely appreciated. It shows the motivation New the Q&A session and move the music to the main importance of such events and what it can bring • A more cultural understanding about where Scots have to meet new people from different areas hall. As everyone was happy and engaged, the to the local communities. This is reflected in all the the refugees come from was achieved during and learn more about communities in Scotland. positive feedback received after the event and music and dancing session was extended and Social bridges, links and connections were all the Gathering which was one of the aims. One way by the fact that many families from different areas lasted till the end of the Gathering. enhanced by the great number attending the event. in which this was achieved was the way New Scots exchanged numbers and planned for future visits • With similar open events, more people turn up than attended, engaged and even helped present some • The Refugee Resettlement Coordinator from and connections. register for the event online. In the NE Gathering, important aspects of their culture. This has also Aberdeenshire Council, was a great help in • Many refugees attending the Gathering had one all of them came, which was a joy but it became been enhanced by the two planned workshops registering the families from her area, planning shared concern. This is Family Reunion. The during the event. the transportation for all 130 New Scots to a bit busy. The good thing is that we had booked majority of the families have a close relative that come to Dundee and also financially supporting a building with lots of different halls and spaces lives abroad, and they are concerned about. This the transportation which is reflected in the budget. which really helped in accommodating those is reflected by the amount of questions being asked She also joined for the Gathering and was a great numbers. during the Gathering and other events I attended “The majority of inspiration for everyone attending. as a Regional Integration Coordinator about this • There were some issues around the food being • The Humanitarian Protection Coordinator from matter and the ability to bring someone to Scotland suitable for all attendees. those attending Dundee City Council was also a great help. We met through this route. What is really not helping is the for consultation at the start of the planning stage mixed messages that the refugees receive from • Volunteers and more volunteers to help during agreed the importance and she helped a lot in shaping and supporting the others regarding this subject which puts more the day. Regional Gathering in Dundee. She also came for pressure on different Local Authorities in trying to of these Gatherings a short time to the Gathering because of previous support their families. More awareness and support Positives plans. would be beneficial in this matter. • The Gathering went really well. Even though it did for New Scots as • Two groups of unaccompanied asylum seeker Recommended Actions not go exactly as planned, everyone enjoyed and children attended the Gathering. They were really benefited from the day and that is reflected by the • Continue our strong relationships and friendships well as for local keen to come and meet new people. According to positive feedback received after the event. with different Local Authorities in the North East their support workers, they were feeling isolated and and North West of Scotland as many are very keen communities. It was the event was a great opportunity for them to come, • Refugees from different areas within the North to support New Scots in their integration. socialise, meet new people and gain more East of Scotland and Perth and Kinross were knowledge about local communities. After the event, • Follow up with Local Authorities and organisations able to link up and learn more about different good to show different the support workers were in contact to say the who supported and were involved in the planning areas and receive advice regarding issues groups had a great day and asking for more events and delivering the NE Gathering to identify common concerning them such as: Housing, Education, cultural aspects and that the groups can attend. issues faced by New Scots and ways to support Employment and Communities. Social Links were them in their integration. experiences.” • A Social Worker for unaccompanied asylum seeker improved by meeting different representatives from children from Perth and Kinross Council was really • Consider arts and performances as an effective different institutions and organisations. helpful. She registered the group of 9, arranged means of improving integration for New Scots and for their transportation and accompanied them to strengthening local communities. the Gathering. • Support refugees from different areas and improve • A social care officer from Angus Council, their integration by building stronger connections also helped with registering and bringing the two with Local Authorities, organisations and groups unaccompanied asylum seeker Children from supporting them, understand the difficulties they Angus to the Regional Gathering. face in different communities and try to address and solve them where possible. 9 North East Regional Gathering Review Report North East Regional Gathering Review Report 10

Section 7 Section 8 Attendee Evaluation Actual Expenditure

General Feedback “ Thank you so much for the great day” Final gathering spend

“ I thoroughly enjoyed the visit. Congratulations for you “ One of the best event I attended. It was great and your team for its success.” meeting new people from outside Dundee. Kids Estimated cost loved the puppet making and had a great day” “ What a wonderful day yesterday. Thanks to all who Food and Catering £700.00 organised it and helped out on the day. I spent most “ Learned about New Scots Connect” of the time with a great big smile on my face! Looking Kids Activity Four hours rate £100 forward to the next one!” “ Enjoyed the day, music, food and meeting all Puppets cost £200 new people” “ I’m super proud and chuffed for you. You did a great job and the event seemed to be a success and I think “ Enjoyed making puppets” Kids activity Four hours Rate £80.00 everyone had a good time there. It was really good to work with the young people and also we did get Sound System hire £120.00 to do some drama in the end with a couple of groups “ That we are great together” which was a positive and even make a bridge picture together. Catering £48.00 Aberdeen Coach £460.00 “Many refugees Social Media Posts Venue Hire £460.00 attending the Catering £7.17 https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2714395 Gathering had 878649439&id=699679630121084 Cups/sticky taps/bin bags/paper plates £8.49 + £6.90 https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2700611 Art and Craft £5.99 + £29.87+ £40.74 one shared 236694570&id=699679630121084 concern. https://www.instagram.com/p/B8CD- Food Containers £26.40 OnnkHB/?igshid=1jkfji9e3flcp Transportation on the day £30.00 This is Family https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=5978845 94123216&id=141123899799290 Reunion.” Catering £7.15 https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1015653 9576665194&id=173717780193 TOTAL £2,330.71 https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=5949460 87740159&id=210445889523516 Scottish Refugee Council (Glasgow – Main Office) 6th Floor, Portland House 17 Renfield Street Glasgow, G2 5AH 0141 248 9799

Scottish Refugee Council (Dundee) 10 Constitution Road Dundee, DD1 1LL 01382 797881 www.scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk

Scottish Charity Number: SC008639 Company Number: SC145067 OISC Reference number: N200100084

This project is part funded by the EU Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund. Making management of migration flows more efficient across the European Union.

Scottish Refugee photography by: Scott Preston