A year-long programme of workshops aim to build a sense of community in north-east towns for people new to the area.
The Elphinstone Institute at Aberdeen University has secured £150,000 for their new Home project.
Home is a new initiative aimed at creating a sense of community between newcomers and long-term residents by running events that include international community cafes, theatre workshops, storytelling, music, song, dance, and craft.
These free workshops, events and social gatherings will be held in Peterhead, Fraserburgh, Banff, Macduff and Turriff to create opportunities for people to meet.
Funded by the North Aberdeenshire Local Action Group, the project will provide events for people to get to know one another.
The need for this project was identified through research as part of Social Support and Migration in Scotland.
Project co-ordinator for the Home project, Claire Needler said: “Home will be an international exploration of being at home and being a long way from home.
“Evidence shows that migrants from a Central and East European background who move to here for work, often have limited contact with local communities, and may experience social isolation and loneliness.
“By creating opportunities for people to get to know each other, this project will help to break down social barriers and forge new links.”
A taster event will be held on July 20 to see how the workshops will be run.
It is hoped the arts activities will also help tackle loneliness and be used by all ages.
Ms Needler said: “Other potential benefits include improved language skills, greater understanding of shared culture, increased community capacity, increased confidence among participants, and stronger social networks.
“We hope that new and lasting friendships will develop between people originating from different cultures, and that people new to the area will get involved with long-established community groups, and also that people who have lived here for a long time will be encouraged to get involved with the celebrations and stories of newer arrivals.”
The programme will be designed in partnership with participants, and the project partners, the WEA and Modo.
