The Social Work Resettlement Support team organised and held Christmas gatherings for hosts of Ukrainian guests in place of the monthly host support groups for December. The team would like to say a huge thank you to everyone that supported the Christmas events in December. The events were well attended by both hosts and their guests, and there was a lot of fun and dancing. The team would appreciate any feedback from those that attended the event, and are interested to know if hosts and guests would like to see more of this kind of event – you can email the team at SocialWorkResettlementSupport@Dumgal.Gov.UK

On Wednesday 24 January the Crichton Trust hosted a Burns’ Night event to share food and warm up an otherwise cold January evening. Burns’ Night is an annual tribute to the renowned Scottish poet Robert Burns, held on or around his birthday, 25 January, and it’s even more special in Dumfries as Robert Burns spent a great deal of his life living nearby. Traditionally, the evening involves a feast including haggis, neeps (turnips), and tatties (potatoes), paying homage to Scotland’s culinary heritage. A Burns’ Supper also typically involves a poetry recital, and in celebration of the mix of cultures around the table this year there was a reading in both Scots and Ukrainian languages. Burns’ Night is an opportunity to celebrate some traditional elements of Scottish culture in terms of food and traditional poetry, but it has also become more recently an opportunity to celebrate Scotland’s creative scene and the different cultural elements which help to keep it evolving and enriched.

Most homes in Scotland have gas supply for central heating and other household power requirements. 

It is important to be sure that all gas supplies are safe. If they are not safe this can put your building and health at risk. Therefore, it is important you know what to do.

If you smell gas in your home, then you need to report it immediately because you may have a gas leak.

If you smell gas you should call 0800 111 999 and explain you can smell gas. You will need to give the call handler your name, contact number and address. A gas engineer from Scottish Gas Network will usually attend within the hour.

While waiting for the gas engineer to attend, please open your windows and switch off any lights. Do not use any open flames.

When The Gas engineer arrives, they will then investigate the leak and advise you on what to do next.

It is important you understand what to do so please keep this email in a safe location.

If you have any questions please ask your Resettlement Project Worker.

On Wednesday 21 February between 4:00 pm and 5:30 pm there will be a special session of the New Scots Club in the Easterbrook Bar and Bistro at the Crichton in Dumfries to introduce some of the mortgage and financial protection options available to members of the resettled community. 

Join experienced financial experts from Radley Financial Services to learn more about mortgages. There will be an opportunity to ask questions, as well as to look at what options might be suitable based on your own unique circumstances. 

The event is free of charge, but please book your space using the link below. 

On 1 February Scotland joined the global commemoration of World Hijab Day. This day serves as an opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate the cultural significance of the Hijab, a garment worn by many women around the world. The Hijab, far beyond being a piece of clothing, holds deep cultural and religious meaning for those who choose to wear it. It symbolizes modesty, dignity, and a strong connection to one’s faith. By celebrating World Hijab Day, Scotland embraces diversity and recognises the richness brought by different cultural expressions. Women who choose to wear the Hijab are respected for their personal choices, and their cultural heritage is celebrated. World Hijab Day is a reminder that, in Scotland, we value and appreciate the cultural tapestry created by individuals from various backgrounds. We would love to hear from you with your own personal stories and reflections on the Hijab if you wear one, so why not write to us at ResettlementProject@Dumgal.Gov.UK if you have a personal story you’d like to share.

Valentine’s Day takes place in many places around the world on 14 February and is a chance to celebrate all things related to love! At this time it is common for couples to go out for dinner or to do something special with each other. It is also very common to purchase chocolates, flowers, soft-toys, and other sentimental gifts for your partner (and sometimes friends and family!) at this time. 

You might notice a lot of sales and promotions in shops, especially on items like chocolate, flowers, and other little treats. Some of the traditional symbols associated with Valentine’s Day include hearts, flowers, and the winged “cupid” who is said to shoot lovers with his bow and arrow to infect them with love! 

If you are not planning any special events with your loved ones on Valentine’s Day, you might want to join the team at the Crichton Trust for their “Be My 90’s Valentine” family-friendly disco party! 

Taking place on Saturday 17 February at Crichton Central in Dumfries between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm, this will be a fun-filled opportunity to celebrate Valentine’s Day whilst also celebrating the music and fashion of the 1990’s! There will be music from the 90’s, a crafting corner where you can make your own ‘Valentine’s card’, and a prize for the best 90’s themed costume – so dig out your best old clothes! 

The event is free, but please book a ticket using the link below.

Around the world, February is LGBTQ+ History Month. This annual celebration not only marks the milestones achieved in the journey towards LGBTQ+ rights but also emphasizes the inclusivity that defines Scotland as a safe haven for all people. Scotland’s rich cultural history is full of LGBTQ figures who have helped to shape the modern Scotland we all enjoy today: from King James VI to leading figures in today’s Scottish parliamentary community, Scotland’s journey to LGBTQ+ rights has been complex, but huge progress has been made thanks to the work of activists and allies alike.

During LGBT History Month we celebrate the work which has been done to make Scotland a safe and inclusive place to live, but we also acknowledge the problems which are still faced by some LGBTQ+ people and can mean they are not ready to be public about this part of themselves. 

If you are an LGBT+ person and you need support, “Dumfries and Galloway LGBT+” is a free and confidential service you can use. The team at Dumfries and Galloway LGBT+ understand that privacy and anonymity might be very important to you, so all their services are confidential. This means that they will never tell anyone you have used their services, and no-one else ever needs to know you have accessed support through LGBT+.

Outside of support services, Dumfries and Galloway also has a number of inclusive LGBT+ friendly events which you are warmly welcome to join. From monthly ‘drag’ nights at local clubs and bars to regular arts events with Queer themes there are plenty of activities which happen locally which are safe and warmly welcoming of LGBTQ+ members. Keep your eyes on local event websites and New Scot DG!

As Race Equality Week approaches , we want to recognise the invaluable contributions made by individuals from diverse racial backgrounds which make Scotland a great and progressive place to live. Our communities flourish because of the richness that comes from embracing various cultures, traditions, and perspectives. Scotland also has robust anti-hate crime legislation, a safeguard against discrimination based on race.

This legislation plays a vital role in ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, feels protected and valued. To ensure safe and inclusive communities it’s essential to acknowledge the significant role that individuals play in reporting hate crimes. The reporting of incidents is a powerful tool in enabling law enforcement to address and combat discrimination effectively. Scotland encourages a collective effort to report any incidents of hate crime, creating a safer environment for everyone.

Understanding that approaching the police may be daunting for some, third-party reporting channels, such as our Resettlement Mailbox, provide a confidential and safe way for reporting incidents. This ensures that those who feel uncomfortable or intimidated have a trusted space to share their experiences. Race Equality Week is a time to celebrate the beauty of diversity and reinforce the commitment to creating a Scotland where everyone is free from racial discrimination. Together, we create a community where individuality is celebrated and where different cultural perspectives help the community to flourish.