Colin Macfarlane

The Home Secretary’s sweeping new immigration plans have been praised by Tommy Robinson and Nigel Farage.

We can't accept a system that exposes people to hostility and hatred.

Please ask your MP to choose compassion, not cruelty and oppose these harsh proposals
scottishrefugeecounc...

Today we launch our winter appeal.

For those starting again in Scotland this winter, let’s make sure they begin their new chapter with safety, dignity, love & solidarity.

Donate today & help us support those seeking safety as they rebuild their lives here in Scotland.🧡

🔗 ow.ly/szZE50XyG4S

Portraits of resilience: marking 40 years of Scottish Refugee Council A special parliamentary reception marked forty years of Scottish Refugee Council, bringing together supporters, partners and parliamentarians to look...

A special parliamentary reception marked 40 years of our work, and showcased a specially commissioned exhibition of portraits celebrating people who have rebuilt their lives in Scotland. Thank you @humzayousaf.bsky.social for sponsoring the event.

‘I arrived here as a child refugee — now I’m a chef at Michelin-star restaurants’ As This Day donates £900K to our campaign taking the total raised to £1.4M, we reveal how the Scottish Refugee Council helped an unaccompanied child who came with nothing

"I arrived here as a child refugee — now I’m a chef at Michelin-star restaurants"

Delighted to see our friend Nestor featured in today's Standard. What a superstar 🌟

www.standard.co.uk/news/nestor-...

People in Scotland want an asylum system that is controlled, that they have confidence in, and that shows compassion.

The Home Secretary’s proposals do none of these things.

We need a humane, effective and efficient system 🧡

Read our full response: ow.ly/Er6w50Xublv

We're welcoming visitors to our stall at Scottish Parliament.

We'll be here for the next few days.

Pop down and pay us a visit! 💛

This evening, we’ll be sharing a very special collection of portraits at an event in the Scottish Parliament.

These beautiful photographs, taken by Angela Catlin, capture the strength, courage and resilience of people rebuilding their lives in Scotland.

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Entrepreneurial refugee says 'thank you UK' for giving family sanctuary Since settling in North Yorkshire, Nahid Hamidi has set up a pop-up restaurant and helps other refugees.

Refugees bring opportunities and often turn their own experiences of suffering and loss into hope for others. Nahid's story is one of courage, resilience and hope.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Our CEO Sabir spoke with BBC Radio Scotland about the UK Government’s proposal to move people seeking asylum to disused military barracks in Inverness.

He highlighted that this is yet another short-term measure for a system that urgently needs long-term, humane reform.

They Helped Topple Roe v. Wade. Now Their Sights Are Set on Britain.

Really important NYT investigation finds that the ADF has been working with Reform, 'courting the party since at least 2024' and that the British arm 'orchestrated Mr Farage’s appearance in Congress, reaching out to ask if he would like to give evidence on censorship'
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/13/w...

White text on purple background reads: "We all deserve to be safe and feel like we belong, no matter where we come from or how we arrived."

We stand in solidarity with people seeking safety and against acts of violence and intimidation taking place in parts of the country.

Times are tough but people fleeing war and persecution are not to blame for Scotland’s problems. Everyone deserves to be safe and feel like they belong.

The truth about asylum hotels People in asylum hotels do not live in five-star luxury. Conditions are very basic. Most people share cramped rooms with complete strangers. They have no cooking or laundry facilities and no choice about when or what they eat.

The truth about asylum hotels People seeking asylum are not allowed to work and earn their own money. If housed in a hotel, you receive just £9.95 per week. This isn’t enough to cover public transport for vital appointments and buy basic essentials, like warm clothes

The truth about asylum hotels The previous UK government paused decision-making on asylum claims, which has caused a huge backlog. Instead of contributing to local communities, people are stuck in hotels waiting months, sometimes years, to hear if they will get refugee protection.

The truth about asylum hotels The UK government pays private companies huge profits to house people seeking asylum in unsuitable hotel accommodation. Instead, they could invest that money in local communities and provide social housing for everyone who needs it.

Some politicians are using lies about asylum hotels to stir up fear and division in our communities.

The truth is, we all deserve to be safe and to feel like we belong.

#AyeWelcomeRefugees

Home secretary suspends refugee family reunion applications until new, tighter rules are put in place – as it happened Yvette Cooper says rules were designed years ago to help families separated by war but are being used in a different way now

Cutting family reunion routes is heartless. For many, it’s the only safe route to be reunited with loved ones. Removing it pushes people into the hands of smugglers and perilous journeys. We need policies rooted in compassion, not cruelty. #FamiliesBelongTogether 🧡
share.google/HPpDrPZ51h94...

Our Head of Guardianship Scotland, Catriona MacSween, explains how our service, in partnership with @scotrefugeecouncil.bsky.social, helps children feeling danger to find sanctuary in Scotland: https://www.aberlour.org.uk/news-item/blog-we-are-not-their-voice-but-make-sure-their-voice-is-heard

The path to safety is not paved with fear. It’s built through compassion. Over the past few weeks, like many others, I’ve felt the personal and professional weight of rising anti-refugee sentiment. When one community lives in fear, we all live in fear. This moment calls for courage and leadership.

Thanks to @scotnational.bsky.social for bucking the trend and sharing positive stories about the people behind the statistics

Warning far-right has ‘hijacked’ women’s safety for political gain More than 100 groups urge PM to take ‘urgent action’ to prevent misinformation of VAWG

These groups are the experts on how we combat the awful reality of violence against women and girls: Rape Crisis, Women's Aid, The End Violence Against Women Coalition, and many more.

Their warnings are ones we have to listen to.

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...

We’re holding free, multilingual info sessions for refugees struggling to find accommodation after getting refugee status in Scotland.

People in unsuitable temporary accommodation or experiencing homelessness can join us on Zoom to learn about their housing rights and options.

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Proud to support the campaign by @scotrefugeecouncil.bsky.social to show that Scotland is proud to welcome refugees.
 
Join me in being #PartofTheBiggerPicture, and together let’s make Scotland a more welcoming and inclusive place. 💛🌍

We're delighted to have Scotland's First Minister @johnswinney.bsky.social supporting our #partofthebiggerpicture campaign!

Show your support for people seeking safety by wearing an 'Aye Welcome Refugees' t-shirt!

👕 ow.ly/wfyN50WtjiA

UK party leaders urged to end ‘pernicious currents’ of hatred fuelling anti-migrant protests More than 200 refugee groups, charities and unions sign letter calling for action after weeks of protests outside asylum hotels

✊ We have joined over 200 organisations in standing in solidarity with those affected by the recent anti-refugee protests - many of whom have already fled unimaginable horrors in search of safety.

🔗 Read more: www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...

#TogetherWithRefugees @refugeestogether.bsky.social

Tammi's fundraiser for Scottish Refugee Council Help Tammi Gaw raise money to support Scottish Refugee Council

The world has been pretty crap this yr so I'm taking part in some fun stuff for charity. In 2 weeks I'll be Zipsliding the Clyde in support of @scotrefugeecouncil.bsky.social

#Partofthebiggerpicture 🧩
www.justgiving.com/page/tammi-g...

Photo of podcast host wearing headphones and interviewee smiling at a podium in front of equality network and Scottish trans banners, with text: “Episode 1: Tim Hopkins - Equality before the law”

🎤 New episode!🎤 with @timhopkins.bsky.social and @jena.ng on the history of #LGBT+ rights in Scotland 🌈

✊🏼 the 1980s campaign against Section 28
⚖️ the ECHR's role in securing rights in the 1990s
🏳️‍⚧️ the future struggle for trans rights in the UK

🎧 Have a listen here: pnc.st/s/lawmanity

Come join my External Affairs team! More details below. 👇🏻👇🏻

🚨 We're looking for two experienced, compassionate leaders to help shape vital work supporting people rebuilding their lives in Scotland. Find out more and apply now 👉 ow.ly/lJIy50WrR4a

Registration for tomorrow morning's free housing info session for new refugees closes at 3pm today. Please help spread the word with anyone who might find it useful 👇

Register here: tinyurl.com/beu6scv9

It's fantastic to see so many venues doing their bit to make Scotland a more welcoming & inclusive place.

Support our campaign by visiting these venues before 24th August!

If you can't - you can still be #partofthebigerpicture with a monthly contribution to support our work! 🧩

🧡 ow.ly/4JnG50Wqrwl

A jigsaw is not complete without all the pieces.

Our staff & volunteers are an integral #PartoftheBiggerPicture ... and so are YOU! 😃🧩

Get your t-shirt here: scottishrefugeecouncil.bigcartel.com

Proud to stand with @scotrefugeecouncil.bsky.social in their campaign showing the support refugees receive across Scotland. Let’s keep building a country where everyone feels safe and welcome🧡
Be #PartOfTheBiggerPicture - buy their new t-shirt and help make Scotland more inclusive: ow.ly/JSXt50WmPoj