This week we marked 100 consecutive weekly drop-ins at the initial accommodation centre in Glasgow. Our volunteers and staff team have been absolutely invaluable in providing practical and emotional support to new arrivals. Huge thanks to everyone involved in providing this essential service.

Community Infosource's Befriending Project is looking for Volunteer Befrienders.

We are looking for kind, friendly and committed volunteers to support people seeking asylum to overcome social isolation and become involved in community activities. Training and support is provided.

Last week's New Scots Hub focused on hate crimes: how to recognise them, and how to report them.

www.scotland.police.uk/advice-and-i...

To quote one of the team: "We hiked, climbed, learned so much, and achieved goals by reaching challenging places, but all of this was made possible thanks to our teamwork and support for one another… I won’t forget the friends I met after joining the group. We became a team, friends, and a family."

Our group enjoyed some truly memorable days out in the great outdoors and learned how to access the hills independently, safely and with greater confidence. Huge thanks as ever to Tiso, Mhor Outdoor, @johnmuirtrust.bsky.social and our amazing programme leader, Kat Jackson.

We've now completed our seven-week Connect Outdoors educational hiking programme, finishing with the 1,103m Munro, Beinn Ghlas, overlooking Loch Tay, and a 10km woodland trek around Chatelherault Country Park. Community, connection, camaraderie; so many great achievements, so many proud moments!

Last week our Field Engagement Hub ran its latest workshop on cultural awareness and challenging violence against women. The event was part of the New Scots Hub project, with many volunteers attending. It proved a very interesting session for everyone, with lively discussion and a lot of engagement.

Westminster outreach officer Philippa Mason visited CIS yesterday to talk about the UK parliament and how to contact your MP. Many of our volunteers attended the event, delivered as part of our New Scots Hub project. Thank you to Philippa for a very informative session!

@ukparliament.parliament.uk

Special thanks to Ross from Mountaineering Scotland for joining us to deliver a couple of excellent sessions on navigation skills and mountain safety; to Tiso, Mhor Outdoor and @johnmuirtrust.bsky.social for making this possible; and of course, our programme leader, Kat, for all her amazing work!

In the last couple of weeks, our participants on the Connect Outdoors programme have taken on the challenges of climbing Beinn Dubh, and exploring Kirkton Glen near Balquhidder. The group showed great spirit and determination throughout, overcoming wind, rain and midges to enjoy two fantastic hikes!

Today marks five years since the tragic death of Badreddin Abdalla Adam Bosh, a 28-year-old asylum seeker from Sudan, who was shot and killed by police at the Park Inn Hotel in Glasgow on 26 June 2020.

The demonstration and carnival are an official part of Refugee Festival Scotland and will be marking World Refugee Day. Bring your signs, flags and banners to show your support!

Aye Welcome Refugees: Stop the Far Right

Saturday 21 June: @sutrscotland.bsky.social national demo and rally, followed by free 'We All Belong' carnival and celebration in the Old Fruitmarket. Join us at midday in Barrowland Park, Gallowgate.

#AyeWelcomeRefugees #StopTheFarRight #RefugeeFestScot

Thank you very much to our intrepid programme leader, Kat Jackson, for a fun day out in the Campsies, and to Matt from Tiso Glasgow Outdoor Experience for some great advice on what to take on a hike, and how to look after clothing and equipment.

CIS is delighted to be part of Connect Outdoors, an educational hiking programme for communities and individuals facing barriers to outdoor participation. Yesterday, our group took the bus out to sunny Glengoyne for an enjoyable afternoon on Dumfoyn (426m).

This week, our Outreach Delivery team ran a successful workshop in Dumfries on cultural awareness, gender equality, and challenging violence against women. The session was attended by 25 asylum seekers and refugees. Our thanks to local refugee support charity, The Depot, for their kind hospitality.

Many thanks to everyone who took part in our #VolunteersWeek celebration yesterday evening. We're always grateful for the support of our amazing volunteers who give us their time, energy and expertise to strengthen our work with refugee and asylum seeker communities in Glasgow. So proud of you all!