“I want to help people feel like they belong,” said a resident and volunteer at one of Glasgow’s  new community rooms. For many, spaces that are a lifeline.

Two new rooms have officially opened in a Glasgow initial accommodation (IA) centre, funded through Migrant Help’s Building, Empowering, Protecting and Supporting (BEPS) fund.

The Family Room offers something many families have gone without for far too long: a safe, warm place for children to play and for parents to breath, talk and feel human again. The Community Room, fitted with sewing machines, has become a creative refuge – especially for women who have felt isolated during long, uncertain stays.

Developing these rooms required close collaboration between Migrant Help, Mears, and a range of other partners.

And while it may seem straightforward to repurpose unused rooms, the story behind how these spaces came to be is anything but simple.

Initial Accommodation

Life in initial accommodation is not easy.

Initial accommodation refers to temporary, emergency housing for people seeking asylum who cannot support themselves while their claim is processed. Often in a hostel or hotel, people were expected to stay only briefly before moving to “dispersal accommodation” – self-contained flats or houses.

However, the pandemic froze the usual system and created a significant backlog where people were forced to stay in initial accommodation centres for far longer. That impact is still being felt today.

As well, issues with food, maintenance, and a lack of privacy are among the many concerns raised by residents. Added to this are protests over the last two summers targeting initial accommodation centres, further heightening anxiety.

Yet making changes to these sites is complex. Costs, legal restrictions, and operational challenges all present obstacles. This is why close collaboration across teams and organisations was essential – and why these rooms are such a milestone.

The Family Room

Instead of children playing in corridors and communal areas, a common sight at initial accommodation centres, families now have a space that feels like theirs.

Designed to reduce isolation, the room includes toys, a dedicated play area, and comfortable seating for parents who need a moment of respite.

“I come here a lot with my son especially in the winter when it is cold outside. Now he is at nursery, we can’t come a lot. But when we come, he loves this room.”

The official opening was attended by over 130 people, including hotel residents, local partners, stakeholders, and statutory agencies. The event featured activity stalls, art displays, food, children’s games, and even a DJ. Since opening, the Family Room has hosted a Halloween and a Christmas party!

The room has quickly become a popular, well-used space and is now being booked by local services to host activities and drop-in services. In fact, staff from Migrant Help and the NHS will also be present to answer questions and provide support.

The Sewing Group, within the Community Room

For many people living in initial accommodation centres, the absence of a creative space isn’t just frustrating – it deepens feelings of isolation and loss.

One idea was to use the new Community Room to host a sewing group, now named as “Sew Good” – a space where residents could design and create clothes or work on fabric projects. Thanks to Migrant Help’s BEPS fund, seven sewing machines were purchased and quickly put to use.

One of the shirts designed and created by a resident in the new sewing group.

One resident, who has informally taken on the role of lead volunteer, described the sewing group as making “a real difference.”

With initial support from a Central and West Integration Network (CWIN) design volunteer, a small group of eight women has grown into thriving sessions of up to 20 — now led by residents themselves.

Creativity flourished from day one, and the results – from shirts to tailored trousers – are already impressive.

A pair of trousers created and designed by one of the residents from Sew Good.

A collection of pieces created and designed by residents from Sew Good.

Looking Forward

Initial accommodation centres often face intense scrutiny. Public debate tends to focus on what should or should not take place in these spaces, and any associated cost can stir strong reactions.

But for the people living there, the needs are often simple: a place for their children to play; tools to knit or sew; a communal room to relax and connect with others.

Thanks to Migrant Help’s Building, Empowering, Protecting and Supporting (BEPS) fund, the two new furnished rooms in Glasgow are one of over 30 community-led projects supported over the past two years — all working to strengthen communities from the ground up.

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