ABSTRACT

This project explores how to enhance New Scots women’s sense of belonging and confidence through expressing themselves in local communities. New Scots Women refers to asylum seekers, refugees and migrant women.

In this project, I used the asset-based approach to discover Glasgow’s assets and explore the possibilities for New Scots Women and their communities. ‘Our Rights, Our Communities’ (OROC) is a partnership project with Govanhill Baths Community Action Programme, Unity Sisters and Milk Café, which is a vital asset in Glasgow.

For New Scots Women, confidence, a sense of belonging and self-expression are closely related and mutually empowering. For communities, the vital factor is to expand the impact.

‘Hear Our Stories’ is a long-term event proposal for the ‘Our Rights, Our Communities’ project.

In Glasgow, many workshops help women express themselves through creative practices. Women draw their stories to express themselves. In the event ‘Hear Our Stories’, we use social media and posters to show New Scots Women’s artworks to evoke people’s attention. To let the public see their stories is not to pity them but to understand what these communities are fighting for. In this way, New Scots Women’s communities will have a greater impact and greater collaborative network and are more likely to get more funding from the city council, which will benefit New Scots Women’s daily life.