1 March 2017

The First Minister spent the morning at the Scottish Refugee Council (SRC) – listening to unaccompanied refugee children discuss their traumatic journeys to Scotland, and the challenges they face while trying to integrate in a new home.

The young people are all receiving support from SRC Scottish Guardianship Service, a unique project that provides unaccompanied refugee children with sustained, one-to-one support and guidance in the form of a professional ‘guardian’.

"We are a small country with a massive heart, and that's how we should define ourselves" First Minister Nicola Sturgeon today at our offices pic.twitter.com/ignSkLalSu

— Scot Refugee Council (@scotrefcouncil) March 1, 2017

The First Minister said:

The already distressing situations that these unaccompanied children have faced now demands a humanitarian stance from all parts of the UK. We should show our humanity and offer refuge to vulnerable unaccompanied children who, through no fault of their own, have found themselves displaced and separated from their families and homes. They deserve to feel safe, have an opportunity to rebuild their lives and fulfil their potential. We should recognise the unique skills and contributions unaccompanied children make to society in Scotland.”

After her visit to SRC the First Minister chaired a roundtable meeting alongside Equalities Secretary Angela Constance, and COSLA, local authorities and key stakeholders to discuss the on-going work to support unaccompanied refugee children.

She added:

The on-going efforts of local authorities, partner organisations and local communities are to be commended in their work to make Scotland a safe and welcoming place for migrants, asylum seekers and refugees.”

Hear Aras and Hermon talk about there experience in Scotland.