Starting life in a new country can feel overwhelming, particularly for those forced to flee from war and persecution. In the Forth Valley, one organisation is dedicated to making that transition a little less daunting: Forth Valley Welcome.
We spoke to Elizabeth Fairgrieve, Volunteer Coordinator at Forth Valley Welcome, to find out more about the charity’s work:
“We’re a small local charity working across Stirling and Clackmannanshire, supporting refugees and people seeking asylum – New Scots – as they begin rebuilding their lives. Our aim is simple: help people feel grounded, connected, and genuinely welcomed.
We began in 2015 in response to the Syrian refugee crisis. Today, we support people from Syria, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Sudan, Ukraine, and beyond.”
The charity runs a whole mix of activities and programmes – from a Conversation Café and Home Visitors service to employability support and small grants that help children and families join local activities.
“Our conversation cafe is relaxed, friendly, and full of laughter. English is practised over cups of tea and new friendships form naturally. We also offer employability support, helping people build the skills and self-belief they need to find work.
For many of the families we see, everyday tasks can feel overwhelming at first. But we are there to offer a helping hand through our Home Visitors service. We help to guide families through things like public transport, school letters, or navigating local systems. And when families need essentials – clothes, toys, appliances – we help with that too.
Through our Positive Activities Fund (PAF), we also make sure children and adults can join clubs, take part in activities, and feel part of the community around them.”
Some of the best moments are seeing people grow in confidence and truly flourish.
“We are so proud of how our support benefits people, whether that is helping them find employment, introducing them to new friends or giving them a platform to share their stories.
At our first Refugee Week event, an Afghan woman gave a cultural presentation. She had never presented to an audience before, not even in her own language, yet she spoke in English, her third language, with incredible courage. At our next event, several people we support were beaming with pride as they saw their photography displayed publicly in an exhibition. These moments are milestones in confidence and belonging.”
And the impact of Forth Valley Welcome goes even further…
“We also spend time out in the community – schools, local groups, workplaces – sharing the realities of life for New Scots. These conversations help challenge stereotypes and build empathy, which is just as important as the direct support we offer.”
Those who’ve been supported sum it up better than anyone.
“I’m so grateful for all your support – not only today but all the time since we’ve arrived here. I feel that we are not alone and have a shoulder to lean on.” – YV
“Thank you for all the support you gave me during my course. I’ve now completed it and started my own business. I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me.” – HA (after receiving employability support)
“I just wanted to thank you for your continued support. We received the PAF grant yesterday, and it means so much for our family. Because of this, we can give our son the same opportunities that local children have. Knowing that he will not miss out and can feel included just like other children means the world to us.” – SS
