Walking to support the New Scots in our communities.

“Thousands of people arrive in Scotland every year after being forced to abandon their homes and flee to safety. We see individuals rise every day to build new lives and pursue new livelihoods, despite facing many challenges and deep uncertainty. Packed with unique events and exceptional talent, the festival honours the resilience and courage of New Scots and celebrates a vision for a Scotland where everyone can blossom and has equal opportunity to thrive.” -  Refugee Festival Scotland

We are proud to call Glasgow the home of Vanilla Ink Jewellery School CIC and of the incredible sense of community that makes this city. This year we decided to take part in the Glasgow Kiltwalk, to raise funds so that we could take part in Refugee Festival Scotland, by putting on community classes at Vanilla Ink HQ, Refuweegee and The Burrell Collection.

Now walking 23 miles is not an average day for any of us. And we’ll be frank, all good intentions of training did not produce elite athletes. But we are a determined bunch, and we were doing this to raise money to support a very special cause. It was a great way to explore parts of our great city and surrounding countryside, with just a few thousand others. The Clyde is a river of many faces and we were so very lucky to have the Scottish weather on our side, we may even have picked up a few rays! For all of us it was challenging, but we had what we always have, each others support.

We can’t imagine what it must feel like to have to flee your home, and leave everything behind. Often leaving loved ones. Arriving in a new country can be terrifying.

So a wee walk is a very small sacrifice. Every pound raised is going to help us put on sessions during Refugee Festival Scotland, which are classes designed to bring people together, to inspire creativity and community.

It’s not too late to help us, the fundraising page is still open, (as are some of our blisters :-0 ) and the more we raise, the more people we can reach in our communities.

PLEASE GIVE NOW and support Vanilla Ink at The Refugee Festival Scotland

On behalf of us all at Vanilla Ink, thank you for your support!

Ellie, Scott & the VI Team