Tuesday September 1st 2026
RSS - Louise Simpson and Ronnie Tagwireyi in the Glasgow Hub
Written by Glasgow View Reporter, Liam Eunson
What began as a simple vision to create a welcoming place for refugees and people seeking asylum has quickly become one of the busiest and most important community spaces of its kind in Glasgow.
Just six months after opening its doors, Refugee Sanctuary Scotland’s Glasgow Hub on Bath Street is helping hundreds of people every month access support, wellbeing activities, friendship and advice as they rebuild their lives in Scotland.
The charity, which until late 2025 operated without a permanent office and relied on home working and hired meeting rooms, established the Hub in response to growing evidence that many refugees and asylum seekers needed more than practical assistance. They needed somewhere they felt safe, welcome and connected.
The Hub, which became fully operational earlier this year after being fitted out and furnished over the winter months, now hosts a wide range of activities including English language support, digital skills sessions, wellbeing workshops, art classes and yoga.
More than 500 people used the facility during June alone.
Ronald Tagwireyi, Chief Executive of Refugee Sanctuary Scotland, said: “When we spoke to the people we support, one message came through very clearly. They wanted somewhere they could come regularly, feel welcome, meet other people and take part in activities that would help them move forward with their lives.
“Before we opened the Hub, we were working remotely and using borrowed meeting spaces. Those arrangements served a purpose, but they could never provide the sense of belonging and community that a permanent home can create.
“The Hub is much more than an office. It is a place where people can have a cup of coffee, make new friends, learn new skills and find support when they need it. If we cannot help someone directly, we can connect them with organisations that can.”
One of the first programmes delivered from the Hub was an eight-week art workshop led by local artist Jade, giving participants an opportunity to express themselves creatively while building confidence and social connections.
Since then, a regular programme of classes and activities has developed, with yoga sessions proving particularly popular among those looking to improve both physical and mental wellbeing.
Louise Simpson, operations manager at the charity, said: “Many of the people who come to us have experienced uncertainty, isolation and trauma. Activities such as art and yoga may seem simple, but they provide social connection and breathing space and something positive to look forward to each week.
“Our learning activities such as our English conversation classes and digital skills classes build confidence and self-esteem whilst the work with our amazing volunteers, many of whom are in the asylum system, gain confidence as they develop their skills through our training and feel valued as they are such an integral part of our Hub’s success.
“It is heartening to see people who initially arrive through the door feeling nervous and unsure, then gradually become part of a supportive community. That sense of connection can make a huge difference to someone’s wellbeing and confidence.”
As well as offering activities, the Hub acts as a central point where visitors can access information, guidance and signposting to a network of trusted partner organisations across Scotland.
Mr Tagwireyi added: “We want people to know that they are not alone. Whether someone needs practical support, advice, a listening ear or simply a safe place to spend time with others, we aim to provide that welcome.
“The success of the first six months shows just how much this type of space is needed. Seeing more than 500 people use the Hub in a single month demonstrates the impact it is already having on the lives of refugees and asylum seekers in Glasgow.”
For many new arrivals, integration also means learning the unique character of the city itself. Alongside English language support, the Hub has even introduced informal “Weegie lessons”, helping newcomers understand some of Glasgow’s most colourful local expressions and dialect.
“It gets a lot of laughs,” said Mr Tagwireyi. “People who have just arrived in the city can sometimes struggle with the dialect. It’s a fun way of helping them integrate and feel more at home in Glasgow.”
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