Asylum seekers and refugees’ perspectives and experiences of what makes Glasgow welcoming

Abstract

This article explores how asylum seekers and refugees experience “welcome” in Glasgow, a city recognised for its proactive approach to migration amid the UK's polarised discourse. Through semi-structured interviews, the study examines three key aspects: encounters with institutional support, the role of community spaces in fostering a sense of welcome, and the impact of interpersonal interactions on evolving experiences of welcome. The findings reveal that personal histories, daily interactions, and the broader socio-political context shape perceptions of welcome, highlighting its complex and dynamic nature