2024 in review

2024 in review

This year has been a powerful testament to the resilience and determination of migrant communities and those who stand with them. Amid challenges, we have seen remarkable acts of solidarity, compassion, and hope that remind us of what can be achieved when we come together.

At Migrant Voice, during 2024 we have continued our mission to tell our stories and change the narrative on migration. Across the UK, our work has brought people together to share experiences, and demand rights, to create lasting change: From powerful media stories and exhibitions to campaigns that challenge harmful policies to workshops that inspire confidence and leadership.  

This year especially, our activities have provided spaces for connection. Our office hubs have hosted a wide range of activities, from advocacy training to community events.

After the far-right violent riots that took place across the UK in the summer, we hosted safe spaces for our members and communities to discuss their ramifications and how to take action and find ways forward. Our Birmingham trainings exemplified the diverse ways in which migrants can express their stories: one event focused on creative storytelling through poetry and spoken word; another, for example, trained participants on how to effectively use podcasts to spread their ideas and experiences. In Glasgow, we published nine zines between January and December, bringing our Putting Ourselves in the Picture zine series to 20.  

This year, we have been working closely with our members to prepare for the UK’s introduction of the digital and online-only immigration status. In June, we hosted a national meeting to dive deep into the implications of a digital-only status, the risks of not being able to prove one’s status, and wider issues with the digital border.. In our efforts to mitigate any negative impacts, as a charity, we signpost people to relevant resources related to this transition and will continue to monitor the impacts of the eVisas policy.

As part of our campaign against extortionate visa costs in 2024 we held our second Halloween-themed National Day of Action to highlight the nightmare which migrants can face while struggling to navigate complicated, and costly, visa routes in the UK. This time online, our Day of Action rally featured experts and people with lived experience, who all reminded us about the importance of solidarity and using our voices to demand for change.

In Glasgow, our exhibitions have continued to showcase migration through art. We were proud to have our photography exhibition “Putting Ourselves in the Picture” on display throughout the year – at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum until October 2025. In December 2024 we launched a new exhibition: Outside In to showcase  the long-established migration connections in and out of Scotland.  

We have celebrated and reflected on this year during our International Migrants Day celebrations, with the theme of “Migration. Making Britain Great.”.  

While this year has been a challenging year, but also one of unity. We thank all those who engaged, supported and believed in our work during the year. We go forward into the new year with confidence and hope that together we can continue advocating for and achieving a fairer and more inclusive society.