Photo credits : Passion4Fusion
World Refugee Day, 20 June, provides an opportunity to recognise the experiences of people seeking safety and the support available to help them rebuild their lives.
In Scotland, this support is shaped by a rights-based, trauma-informed approach.
Through CashBack for Communities, this approach is put into practice by supporting organisations to deliver projects that create safe spaces, build confidence, and provide positive opportunities.
Partner Spotlight 1: Ukrainian St Mary’s Trust (Glasgow)
CashBack Project: Healing, Learning and Integration for Ukrainian Youth
Through CashBack for Communities, Ukrainian St Mary’s Trust delivers the “CashBack to Belonging” project, supporting Ukrainian children and young people aged 10–25 affected by war, displacement, and disruption to their education and lives.
The project provides trauma-informed, culturally sensitive support, including group therapy sessions, one-on-one mentoring, and creative activities, helping young people rebuild confidence, manage emotions, and reconnect with education and community life.
Delivered in familiar, supportive environments and alongside family support, the project helps young people develop resilience, stability, and a sense of belonging as they rebuild their futures in Scotland.
Partner Perspective
“Every Saturday morning in Glasgow, something quietly remarkable happens.
Children who spend their week navigating Scottish classrooms, learning in English, often surrounded by peers with no shared experience of war or displacement, step into a different space. For a few hours, they are somewhere familiar. Somewhere understood. Somewhere that feels like home.St Mary’s Ukrainian School, run by Ukrainian St Mary’s Trust, teaches Ukrainian language, history, and culture across more than 15 locations in the UK. In Glasgow, it has become a cornerstone of the Ukrainian refugee community.
The school is staffed by Ukrainian teachers and volunteers, many displaced by war themselves. It provides more than education, it offers continuity, cultural identity, and a trauma-informed environment where children feel recognised and safe.
This work has been recognised through a Young Rights Champions Award from the Scottish Youth Parliament and selection as a CashBack for Communities Phase 7 partner, supporting the delivery of structured trauma support for young people
Liza’s Story: Finding Her Voice Again
Liza arrived in the UK from Bucha in the earliest days of the full-scale invasion in 2022, after experiencing extreme violence and displacement.
For almost a year, she barely spoke.
Today, she recites poetry, performs on stage, and takes part confidently in school celebrations. Her recovery has not been sudden, but gradual a week-by-week return, in a space where her language is spoken and her experience is understood.
Her story reflects something critical: childhood trauma does not simply fade with time. Without the right support, it can persist but when addressed early, in culturally familiar environments, children can rebuild confidence and re-engage with the world.
Mykhailyk’s Story: Confidence Through Belonging
Among the pupils is Mykhailyk, who lives with cerebral palsy and attends school in a wheelchair.
Despite daily challenges, he is an active member of the school choir, singing in his own language, alongside peers who share his culture and experiences.
Through music and participation, he has improved his speech, built confidence, and found a powerful means of self-expression. The choir has become a source of friendship, achievement, and joy.
His story highltext:the importance of inclusive community spaces, where every child can participate fully and be recognised.”
Learn more about the project, visit: Ukrainian St Mary’s Trust Limited – CashBack for Communities
Partner Spotlight 2: Passion4Fusion (Edinburgh)
CashBack Project: NextGen Empowered by CashBack
Through CashBack for Communities, Passion4Fusion delivers the NextGen Empowered by CashBack project, supporting Black young people aged 12–25 who are at risk of involvement in crime or exploitation.
The project provides safe, culturally relevant spaces where young people can take part in activities such as football, creative programmes, and mentoring, building confidence, strengthening relationships, and supporting safer pathways for the future.
Partner Perspective
“What began as a simple football kickabout in Inverleith Park has grown into a thriving weekly programme supporting asylum-seeking young men in the community.
In the early days, there was no funding or facilities, the group met in a free public park because it was the only space available. Around 18 men attended the first session. Today, that number has grown to 66 participants every week.
Some arrived without football boots, with a few even playing barefoot because they could not afford suitable footwear. Despite these challenges, they showed up week after week, eager to play, connect, and feel part of something.
Recognising these barriers, the team organised fundraising efforts to provide football boots and basic equipment, ensuring that everyone could participate safely and with dignity.
Today, the programme is about far more than football. It has become a safe and welcoming space where participants can exercise, build friendships, reduce isolation, and develop a sense of belonging. Through the shared language of sport, many have also gained opportunities to practise English, learn about Scottish culture, and integrate into their local communities.
The project’s impact has been recognised nationally, being named a finalist in the SCVO Charity Awards (Partnership of the Year) alongside Care4Calais”
Learn more about the project, visit: Passion4Fusion – CashBack for Communities
Want to learn more?
To learn more about CashBack for Communities and its work supporting young people and communities across Scotland, see our 24-25 Impact report
Organisations like the Scottish Refugee Council provide vital services from integration support and advocacy to community development, ensuring that people seeking safety can access education, healthcare, and opportunities to belong.
At the heart of this approach is a simple principle: integration starts from day one and is strongest when communities, partners, and programmes work together.
Find out more: https://scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk
