New Scots bring valuable skills, experience and knowledge, but settling into a new country takes time. It often helps to have support to rebuild confidence and figure out how to use those strengths in a new context. This is where Social Enterprise Academy (SEA) comes in.
SEA has supported tens of thousands of people, including social entrepreneurs, community leaders and young changemakers, helping them make a real difference across the UK and abroad.
In 2021, they teamed up with Scottish Refugee Council to run programmes helping refugees develop as leaders in their communities.
Elsa Vibert, Learning and Partnership Manager at SEA, explained:
“One of our facilitators, Thomas Fisher, who was passionate about supporting refugees, introduced us to Scottish Refugee Council.
With them, we launched the New Scots Leadership Programme to support people to build on their existing strengths, grow in confidence, and step into leadership roles within their communities.
Since then, the collaboration has grown, leading to new programmes and initiatives in Inverclyde, the Highlands and other areas.
At the heart of it, we share a simple belief: with the right support, refugees can lead, contribute, and really strengthen their communities.”
The impact of the programme is clear to see. Elsa added:
“It’s really inspiring to see how learners’ mindsets change.
For those who are just starting out, we often see them feeling more connected, less isolated, more confident in communicating, and with a better idea of how to get involved in their community.
Across our programmes supporting refugees, we’ve seen people go on to launch their own businesses, secure employment, pursue further education, volunteer, and even take the lead in community projects.”
One of the programme’s participants shared:
“[It] has fundamentally changed my approach to leadership. I now prioritise active listening, empathy and inclusivity.”
Another participant said:
“In the past, maybe I had some skills for leadership, but I didn’t know how to use them. This course helped me apply these skills correctly and impact my community.”
Looking to the future, Elsa finished by saying:
“Our goal is to support leadership, participation, and long-term community development for New Scots, working closely with partners every step of the way.”
