2026 Winner
MUSA MUSA
Young asylum seeker from Sudan who has overcome huge obstacles to make a new life in Scotland, where he devotes his time as a volunteer to help others
Musa was barely 17 when he made the difficult decision to leave his home and family in Sudan, to escape the unrest that has since evolved into a full-blown civil war.
He eventually arrived in Britain in 2022 and claimed asylum, being housed in a hotel in Boston, Lincolnshire, while his application was processed.
It was a lonely time for the young man and he felt isolated and depressed in a strange country without any loved ones, with only basic English.
Musa received leave to remain in the UK in September 2023 but without connections, it was daunting.
“I did not know where to start or which city to go to,” he says. “I had no news about my family because they were not in a safe place and there was no internet. “I did not talk much, even if I needed to. I was afraid of many things.
“I had no friends there, only people I had met in the hotel. So I just made a list of places and pointed my finger to one – it was Glasgow.”
After arriving in the city in January 2024, Musa went to Glasgow City Mission, a charity supporting people experiencing homelessness, poverty, addiction and isolation. The team there helped him to apply to the council for temporary accommodation in a hostel.
Musa was determined to make a positive start to his new life in Scotland. At the Job Centre, he met Emily, a youth development worker for the King’s Trust and signed up to their 12-week Explore course.
Musa was a diligent participant, taking the opportunity to improve his English, boost his skills and make connections, as well as working on his CV.
He was also a great support to other young people studying alongside him, and his confidence grew.
“The King’s Trust gave me purpose and a feeling that someone cares about you,” he says. “I got back the smile I was missing in my life.”
Musa always wanted to give back to his new community. Back in Sudan, he was a motorbike mechanic so he began to volunteer for charity Bikes For Good, learning to renovate old bicycles for new homes.
He also started volunteering at Glasgow City Mission, welcoming guests, serving meals to those in need and helping with translation for other new arrivals.
He started college courses in English and IT, before landing a job with a landscaping company in March last year. He also secured a permanent place to live and plans to study business at college in the future, with hopes of one day starting his own business.
Despite his busy work commitments, he still volunteers regularly at the Mission, and is embracing his new home.
He says: “I’ve enjoyed learning about Scottish culture. I go hill walking with my friends and I enjoy the food here too – my favourite is baked potatoes with tuna and I’ve just tried black pudding for the first time too.”