We know what it means to leave everything and start again. We know how hard it can be and we know what helps to make things easier. We have partnered with the Scottish Government and are working closely with Cosla and other agencies to use our lived experience and cultural knowledge and insight into government and civic systems to help newly-arrived Afghans find their feet here. This means expanding our team and our programmes to cover more parts of Scotland because the Scottish Afghan community is growing into new areas. And wherever they are, it needs to feel like home. That’s about connections, support, opportunities, information and respect.

We’ve successfully applied for funding to recruit a Community Engagement Officer to help build relationships new arrivals and respond to their needs; a Community Capacity Building Officer to help people get to know their local areas and remove access to participation and a Digital Officer to assist with access to IT and the online systems that are increasingly vital for daily life. At GAU, we’re proud to carry out this vital work, which will build a stronger Scotland for all of us.