A unique exhibition of migration stories will be showcased in Peterhead later this month.
Swansea University, in partnership with Glasgow University, has created an exhibit featuring more than 200 people who have made the journey from eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union to Scotland.
Dubbed the Social Support and Migration in Scotland (SSMS) project, it will go on display at Peterhead’s Arbuthnot Museum on Saturday, October 15.
The work explores what brought the migrants here, and what about their new country helps them feel settled.
It features portraits, maps, a film, and a special collection of “objects from home” that have been lent to the museum by project participants.
Claire Needler, research assistant on the project at Swansea University said: “We have worked with people who are new to the area, as well as people who have lived here all their lives, exploring universal themes of everyday life, working to build a sense of community, and getting to know ourselves and our neighbours better.
“It has been great to work in partnership with local community organisations like Modo, as well as the Arbuthnot Museum to explore migration in the north-east.”
The project’s findings are already being used to provide user-facing solutions through public participation, including integration through language, community cohesion and development initiatives.
Its results and the development of migration toolkit will be discussed at the Festival of Social Science and policy shaping event on November 9 in Aberdeen.
The SSMS project aims to bring attention to the country’s “hidden migrant voice” by producing films, stories and community-led events which highlights and promotes integration.
The exhibition at the Arbuthnot Museum asked migrants specifically how people in Scotland could do more to make newcomers feel more welcome, and what about Scotland made them feel like it was their home.
