Refugee from South Sudan in Greenock, Scotland rebuilding her life with art

As she forges a new life here she has just taken part in an art exhibition as part of the New Scots group.

The group, run by community care forum Your Voice, worked alongside artist Willie Sutherland on the View From The Moon showcase at the Rig Arts gallery.

The New Scots involved in the display are people who come from all over the world and have found a safe place and a home in Inverclyde as part of the UK resettlement programme.

Suzan says she is looking to the future with new hope as she expresses herself through art and finds new friendships.

Suzan, 36, who stays in Greenock with her two sons, said: "The New Scots is such a nice group.

"It is good to come here and make friends.

"We love coming to Your Voice.

"They make me feel so comfortable and at home.

"I love art, I have always been creative.

"I am now looking at creating my own work which will be sold in a shop."

Suzan arrived in Inverclyde two years ago from Egypt where she had staying since fleeing South Sudan.

She was forced to run for her life with her sons Chol, now 15, and Chan, now six, after her husband and two of her other children were murdered.

Now Suzan and her sons are rebuilding their lives here in Inverclyde, surrounded by other refugees.

Through New Scots she has made friends with Rana Skawi, who fled civil war in Syria with her family.

Rana, who living in Port Glasgow said: "I have a big family and I come here to the group to relax and enjoy some time to myself."

The 46-year-old from Damascus also shared her story and her creative skills in the exhibition.

Rana said: "My dream is to design dresses and I also take part in an art group at the Beacon."

Inverclyde is now home to a growing number of people who have resettled here as part of a UK-wide programme, coming from places like Syria, Ethiopia, Iran and Afghanistan.

The New Scots programme aims to help them feel at home as part of the wider community.

Your Voice's Jamie Dalgoutte, who leads the scheme, said: "We were very proud to take part in the art exhibition, it was a great way for the New Scots group to bond with one another and also to become part of the community.

"It was very moving that they shared their story as part of the exhibition.

"We provide a space for them here at Your Voice and some of the work they do is incredible.

"The women who come along are keen to have their own art group, so they can create and have their own space."

*The New Scots group meet every Friday from 11.30am to 1.30pm at Your Voice, Greenock.