Supporting Migrants’ Lives in Scotland

Migration from Central Eastern Europe (CEE) to Scotland has increased dramatically since 2004, including to rural areas with little experience of supporting migrant populations. Professor Rebecca Kay’s research on migrants’ experiences of settlement in Scotland has supported the development of self-sustaining language cafés in Peterhead and three other towns in the North East.  

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The research

CEE migrants now account for nearly 40% of all non-British citizens living in Scotland and an even greater percentage of newer arrivals, especially to rural areas, such as Aberdeenshire.  

Longer-term settlement of migrants is particularly important in Scotland due to declining and ageing populations in many areas and shortages of workers in a number of sectors, nonetheless, difficulties remain in supporting successful settlement. 

Research led by Professor Kay on Social Support and Migration in Scotland (SSAMIS) explored experiences of migration and settlement. 

The research found the realities of migrants’ lives, their work patterns and family responsibilities, often prevented them from accessing language classes or participating in community-based integration initiatives. Opportunities for migrant and host populations to meet and share community spaces were limited. Migrants felt isolated from, and misunderstood by, the wider local population.  

Taken together, these were important factors for migrants’ decisions about whether to settle longer-term in an area.

The Impact

From 2016 onwards, a collaboration between UofG researchers, local community organisations and local authorities, aimed to address some of the issues faced by migrants through the establishment of a language café in Peterhead.  

The regional expansion of this model has led to the establishment of self-sustaining ‘creative cafés’ in Fraserburgh, Banff/MacDuff and Turriff. 

The related project ‘Home-hame-дом-dom’ began in May 2019. It led to the establishment of a programme of activities and events, designed to assist with the forging of social connections, sharing cultures, experiences and languages. 

From May 2019 until December 2020, working with 28 local partners, the project delivered 50 courses and 114 activities across four towns and online.  

Data developed through these community initiatives has subsequently supported Professor Kay’s contributions to the Scottish Government Expert Advisory Group on Migration and Population—thus supporting the push for regional differentiation and further devolved powers on migration policy.