Moving to a new country or city can bring hope and opportunity, but it can also involve uncertainty, loneliness and practical challenges. Newcomers may need to understand unfamiliar systems, build social networks, improve their confidence and find opportunities to participate in their new community.

Unity for Integration Project (UFIP) supports newcomers in Glasgow by providing welcoming, culturally sensitive programmes that help people connect, learn, improve their wellbeing and become active members of community life.

UFIP’s support is not limited to one service. Through community activities, wellbeing programmes, skills development, volunteering, creative projects and practical guidance, newcomers can access different forms of support according to their circumstances and goals.

Who Does UFIP Support?
UFIP welcomes people from all backgrounds, including:

Migrants and refugees
International students
Newly arrived families
Women adjusting to life in a new community
Children and young people from migrant families
People who have moved to Glasgow from elsewhere in the United Kingdom
Individuals experiencing loneliness or social isolation
People with limited local support networks
Newcomers seeking employment or volunteering experience
People who need help developing digital confidence
Anyone who wants to understand and participate in community life
People do not need to be experiencing a crisis to take part. Some join because they need practical support, while others simply want to meet people, learn new skills or feel more connected.

Creating a Welcoming First Point of Contact
One of the most important things a newcomer needs is a place where they feel comfortable asking questions.

UFIP provides a welcoming community environment where people can:

Meet staff, volunteers and other community members
Learn about available programmes
Explain the challenges they are experiencing
Receive appropriate information and signposting
Find activities for themselves or their families
Build relationships gradually
Participate without feeling judged because of their background, accent or circumstances
The Unity Hub offers a physical place where newcomers can begin developing a sense of familiarity and belonging.

Helping Newcomers Build Social Connections
Leaving behind relatives, friends and familiar communities can be one of the most difficult parts of relocation. Even people who have lived in Glasgow for some time may still feel isolated.

UFIP’s Community Circles, social gatherings, cultural activities and community meals provide relaxed opportunities for newcomers to meet people.

Through these activities, participants can:

Make new friends
Meet people with similar experiences
Connect with established local residents
Practise speaking and communicating confidently
Share information about local opportunities
Participate in group discussions
Celebrate different cultures
Develop informal support networks
Feel less alone
These social connections can become especially important for people who do not have extended family nearby.

Supporting Integration Without Erasing Identity
Integration should not require people to abandon their culture, language or identity.

UFIP creates opportunities for newcomers to participate in Scottish community life while continuing to value and share their own cultural heritage. Activities may include:

Cultural celebrations
Community storytelling
Food and heritage projects
Film screenings
Photography
Music and performance
Oral-history activities
Intercultural conversations
Community exhibitions
Creative workshops
These activities allow newcomers to contribute to Glasgow’s cultural life rather than being viewed only as people who require support.

Participants can share their knowledge, traditions and lived experiences while learning about other communities. This encourages mutual understanding and helps challenge stereotypes.

Improving Confidence and Communication
Some newcomers have valuable qualifications and professional experience but lose confidence when adapting to an unfamiliar environment.

Changes in language, employment status, social networks and family circumstances can make people question abilities they previously took for granted.

UFIP programmes help participants rebuild confidence through:

Group participation
Communication activities
Public speaking opportunities
Creative expression
Peer support
Volunteering
Skills workshops
Leadership opportunities
Mentoring
Encouragement from facilitators and other participants
The aim is not to pressure people to speak or perform before they are ready. Instead, participants are encouraged to contribute at a level that feels manageable and gradually take on new challenges.

Supporting Employment and Skills Development
Understanding how to find work in a new country can be difficult. Recruitment practices, CV expectations, application systems and workplace culture may be unfamiliar.

Through programmes such as the Unity Skills & Wellbeing Hub and Pathways to Employment, newcomers may receive support with:

Identifying existing and transferable skills
Preparing or improving a CV
Searching for suitable vacancies
Completing online applications
Preparing for interviews
Understanding workplace expectations
Improving professional communication
Building confidence after unemployment or a career break
Exploring training and educational opportunities
Gaining experience through volunteering
Learning about local employment services
UFIP recognises that newcomers are not starting without skills. Many already bring professional knowledge, qualifications, languages, business experience and practical abilities. Support focuses on helping people understand how to use and present those strengths within the UK context.

Participation does not guarantee employment, but it can help newcomers become better informed, more confident and more prepared to pursue appropriate opportunities.

Reducing Digital Exclusion
Many essential services in the United Kingdom are now accessed online. A person may need digital skills to apply for work, manage appointments, communicate with schools, use public services or complete important forms.

Newcomers who are unfamiliar with particular devices or online systems may be placed at a disadvantage.

UFIP’s digital-inclusion activities may help participants learn how to:

Use computers, tablets and smartphones
Create and manage an email account
Search for reliable information
Complete online forms
Use video-conferencing platforms
Prepare documents
Search and apply for jobs
Access local services
Recognise scams and suspicious messages
Protect personal information
Use artificial-intelligence tools responsibly
Communicate safely online
Digital support is provided with respect for privacy. Participants should never be asked to disclose passwords unnecessarily, and volunteers must not access sensitive financial accounts on their behalf.

Supporting International Students
International students can experience loneliness, homesickness and difficulty connecting with people beyond their university or college.

UFIP’s Student Integration Programme helps students become more connected to the wider community.

Activities may support students to:

Meet other students and local residents
Build friendships outside their academic setting
Learn about Glasgow and its communities
Participate in cultural and social activities
Discover volunteering opportunities
Improve communication and confidence
Share their culture and experiences
Find meaningful ways to use their skills
Develop a stronger sense of belonging
This community connection can make the experience of studying abroad feel less isolating and more personally fulfilling.

Supporting Women Through Transition and Change
Women who are new to the country may experience particular challenges, including social isolation, disrupted careers, caring responsibilities and limited opportunities to focus on their own wellbeing.

Women’s Wellness Circles and related activities offer supportive spaces where women can explore:

Emotional wellbeing
Self-care
Confidence and self-esteem
Women’s health
Stress management
Healthy relationships
Parenting and family life
Employment and personal development
Body positivity
Social connection
Creative expression
These sessions allow women to meet others, share experiences where they feel comfortable and access useful information.

Women are not required to disclose private or traumatic experiences in order to participate. They can engage in ways that respect their personal boundaries.

Helping Children and Young People Settle
Relocation affects children as well as adults. Young people may need to adjust to a new school, accent, culture, friendship group and social environment.

UFIP’s family, holiday and youth programmes provide inclusive opportunities for children and young people to:

Make friends
Participate in safe recreational activities
Develop confidence
Express themselves creatively
Learn new skills
Work as part of a team
Share aspects of their cultural identity
Feel represented and valued
Explore interests outside school
Build positive relationships with trusted adults
Programmes such as Unity Summer Smiles, Family Fun Active Saturdays and Young Voices Film Lab combine learning, creativity, physical activity and social participation.

Youth media activities may also introduce participants to filmmaking, photography, sound recording, storytelling, presenting and editing.

Supporting Parents and Families
Parents who are new to Glasgow may need to understand unfamiliar services while also helping their children adjust.

UFIP family activities can help parents and carers:

Find safe and enriching activities for their children
Meet other families
Reduce social isolation
Learn about local opportunities
Participate in family activities
Strengthen relationships with their children
Discuss common parenting experiences
Access appropriate information and signposting
Build informal networks of support
Holiday programmes can be particularly valuable to families experiencing financial pressure or limited access to affordable activities.

Where spaces are limited, registration may be required in advance.

Promoting Physical and Emotional Wellbeing
The emotional effects of relocation are not always immediately visible. People may experience stress, loneliness, uncertainty, loss of status, discrimination or pressure to appear strong.

UFIP’s wellbeing programmes provide opportunities to focus on physical, emotional and social health.

Programmes such as Thrive Together, Unity Wellness Connect and Women’s Wellness Circles may include:

Wellbeing conversations
Healthy-living information
Gentle physical activities
Nutrition education
Stress-management techniques
Self-care activities
Confidence building
Creative sessions
Peer support
Social connection
Information about relevant services
UFIP’s community wellbeing activities do not replace medical treatment, counselling or specialist mental health services. Where necessary, participants may be encouraged or supported to contact an appropriate professional service.

Using Food to Create Connection
Food can provide a familiar and welcoming route into community participation.

Community meals, cooking activities and projects such as Our Food, Our Health and Cook and Click allow newcomers to explore the relationship between food, culture, identity and wellbeing.

Participants may have opportunities to:

Share recipes and food traditions
Learn about healthy eating
Prepare meals with others
Discuss how migration affects eating habits
Learn about unfamiliar ingredients or local food systems
Develop food-photography skills
Celebrate cultural diversity
Build relationships through shared meals
UFIP aims to consider allergies, intolerances, religious requirements and other dietary needs where possible. Participants should provide this information when registering.

Providing Creative Ways to Share Experiences
Not everyone finds it easy to express themselves through formal conversations. Creative programmes offer other ways to communicate.

Through projects such as Our Stories, Our Streets, Hear My Voice, Plates, Portraits & People and Young Voices Film Lab, newcomers may participate in:

Storytelling
Filmmaking
Photography
Writing
Interviews
Oral-history recording
Food-based cultural projects
Community exhibitions
Screenings and discussions
Performance
Digital storytelling
Creative participation helps people document their experiences, preserve community histories and contribute to public conversations.

It also challenges the idea that newcomers should only be spoken about by others. Participants become storytellers, creators and knowledge holders in their own right.

Connecting People with Local Services
Newcomers may not always know which organisation to approach when they need specialist assistance.

Where appropriate, UFIP can provide information or signpost participants to services relating to:

Health and wellbeing
Housing
Employment
Education and training
Welfare and financial support
Family services
Recovery support
Legal or immigration advice
Mental health
Domestic abuse
Children and young people
Volunteering
Community activities
UFIP does not replace solicitors, doctors, social workers, immigration advisers or other regulated professionals. Its role is to help people understand what support may be available and, where possible, connect them with the right organisation.

Creating Volunteering Opportunities
Volunteering can help newcomers gain experience, establish local references and feel that they are contributing to their new community.

Depending on current opportunities, volunteers may support:

Community events
Children’s activities
Digital-skills sessions
Cultural programmes
Administration
Social media and communications
Photography and filmmaking
Food preparation and hospitality
Community outreach
Participant registration
Research and evaluation
Venue preparation
Through volunteering, newcomers may develop:

Communication skills
Teamwork
Confidence
Leadership
Time management
Customer service
Digital skills
Knowledge of UK workplace expectations
Event-management experience
Professional networks
Volunteering is not a guarantee of paid employment. However, it can provide practical experience, reduce isolation and help people demonstrate their abilities.

Some roles require references, induction, training or safeguarding checks, particularly when they involve children, young people or adults who may require additional protection.

Helping Newcomers Become Community Leaders
UFIP does not view newcomers only as beneficiaries. Newcomers bring knowledge, professional experience, languages, creativity and lived understanding that can strengthen the entire community.

As participants gain confidence, they may progress to:

Welcoming other newcomers
Volunteering
Supporting outreach
Leading activities
Sharing professional expertise
Mentoring other participants
Helping to design programmes
Representing community perspectives
Contributing to consultations and research
Developing their own community initiatives
This progression from participant to contributor or leader is an important part of meaningful integration.

Building Bridges Between Communities
Successful integration requires effort from both newcomers and established communities.

UFIP creates spaces where people from different backgrounds can meet through shared interests and activities. This helps:

Reduce misunderstanding
Challenge stereotypes
Encourage intercultural dialogue
Build trust
Increase community participation
Recognise shared experiences
Celebrate differences respectfully
Create stronger local relationships
Rather than expecting newcomers to adapt alone, UFIP encourages communities to learn from one another.

Is UFIP Only for People Who Have Just Arrived?
No. The word “newcomer” can describe many different experiences.

Some people contact UFIP shortly after arriving in Glasgow. Others may have lived in the city for several years but still feel disconnected or uncertain about accessing opportunities.

Support may be relevant if you:

Have recently moved to Glasgow
Have been in the city for some time but feel isolated
Are adjusting to a new stage of life
Want to rebuild your confidence
Need help understanding local opportunities
Want your children to become more socially connected
Are an international student
Want to volunteer or contribute your skills
Would like to meet people outside your immediate community
There is no single timetable for feeling settled. People should seek support when it becomes useful to them.

Are UFIP Programmes Free?
Many UFIP community programmes are free because they are supported by charitable funders, donors and partner organisations.

However, registration may still be required because of:

Limited places
Catering arrangements
Safeguarding requirements
Staffing levels
Programme eligibility
Materials or equipment
Age restrictions
Some special or ticketed events may involve a charge. The information for each activity should explain whether it is free, funded, ticketed or restricted to registered participants.

What Can a Newcomer Expect at Their First Activity?
The exact experience will depend on the programme, but newcomers can generally expect:

A respectful welcome
Information about the activity
Introductions to relevant team members
An inclusive environment
Opportunities to participate without unnecessary pressure
Clear expectations about conduct and safety
Respect for confidentiality
Consideration of accessibility and support needs
Information about other relevant opportunities
If you feel nervous about attending alone, contact UFIP in advance. The team can explain what to expect and whether you may attend with a friend or family member.

How to Access UFIP Support
To find a suitable programme, contact UFIP and briefly explain:

Your name and contact details
Whether you are looking for support for yourself or your family
What kind of activity interests you
Any particular challenges you would like help with
The ages of any children who may participate
Your availability
Any accessibility, language, dietary or other support requirements
You can then be directed towards an appropriate current or upcoming opportunity.

Contact Unity for Integration Project
Unity for Integration Project
Unity Hub
Ground Floor, 159 Broad Street
Glasgow G40 2QR

Telephone: 0141 291 5187
Email: in**@******ip.org
Website: www.unityfip.org

Please arrange an appointment before visiting if you want to discuss your circumstances or the support available. This helps ensure that the appropriate person is available to meet you.

A Place to Connect, Contribute and Belong
UFIP supports newcomers by helping them move from uncertainty and isolation towards connection, confidence and active participation.

A newcomer might first attend a community meal, later join a wellbeing or skills programme, enrol their child in a holiday activity and eventually become a volunteer or community leader. Each person’s journey will be different.

What matters is that newcomers are not treated simply as recipients of help. They are welcomed as individuals with valuable experiences, abilities and ambitions.

Through inclusive programmes and meaningful relationships, Unity for Integration Project helps newcomers build a life in which they can connect, contribute and develop a genuine sense of belonging.