Our Rights Stories

Dr Nicola Burns provides an executive summary of the key points discussed in Podcast Two, offering a concise overview of legal rights, entitlements, and considerations for professionals. (approx. 25 minutes)

Dr Nicola Burns joins Andy Sirel (Legal Director, JustRight Scotland) and Professor Andrea Williamson (Professor of General Practice and Inclusion Health, University of Glasgow) to discuss the legal rights and entitlements of disabled people in the asylum system, and how GPs can support patients effectively and safely. (approx. 55 minutes)

Content warning: these podcasts include discussions of harm and distressing events. This series of three podcasts explores the realities of life as a disabled asylum seeker, what the law says about rights and entitlements, and how health and other professionals can best support people navigating the asylum system.   Podcast 1 - Experiences and Barriers Community members and partner organisations discuss the barriers encountered by disabled people in the asylum system and offer practical advice and guidance for organisations supporting them. (approx. 42 minutes)

In this mini series, guests from our Barings Residential event held in Glasgow engaged with us to share their reflections on the question of 'Social Justice Battles'.  You will hear reflections from a combination of lawyers, activist and academics across the sector in the UK on the social justice battles that they've participated in and continue to engage with. Our guests leave us with some hopeful and enlightening reflections to ponder.  This podcast series was co-produced with staff from JustRight Scotland and made possible by funding from The Baring Residential. 

In this mini series, guests from our Barings Residential event held in Glasgow engaged with us to share their reflections on the question of 'Funding of Residentials'. Our guests highlight the impact of being able to attend residentials and the importance of having a space to foster connection building and creativity.  You will hear reflections from a combination of lawyers, activist and academics across the sector in the UK.  This podcast series was co-produced with staff from JustRight Scotland and made possible by funding from The Baring Residential. 

In this mini series, guests from our Barings Residential event held in Glasgow engaged with us to share their reflections on the question of 'Barriers'. How these barriers that our guests' clients and service users experience impact their access to their rights.  You will hear reflections from a combination of lawyers, activist and academics across the sector in the UK.  This podcast series was co-produced with staff from JustRight Scotland and made possible by funding from The Baring Residential. 

In this episode, we explore the barriers African migrants face in the UK workforce, particularly the disconnect between their educational qualifications and the limited opportunities available to them. Our guest Esther from JustCitizens and Adeniyi from African Connect share personal insights on the struggles highly skilled individuals, including those with PhDs, face when they are pushed into the care sector as the "easy way out" of the system.   We also discuss the broader issues of education, mental health, and employment within racialised communities in Scotland.     Tune in to hear how we can change the narrative and create a more inclusive system together.

Today’s episode is our insightful conversation with Satwat Rehman, CEO of One Parent Families Scotland (OPFS), a leading charity working with single-parent families in Scotland.  While speaking with Satwat, we learned more about:  Their latest research, including the "Living without a Lifeline" report which highlights key issues single parents are facing during the cost-of-living crisis.  Their report findings from their five focus groups with single parents in Glasgow, North Lanarkshire, Falkirk, Dundee, and Edinburgh on a Just Transition to Net Zero. Their campaigns: from "Cost of School" (which addresses how costs such as school clothing and school meals can put pressure on low-income families) to "End Child Poverty" (ECP), which calls on the UK Government to take action on child poverty, universal credit, the benefit freeze, and childcare.  Their story and how this year they are celebrating 80 years of One Parent Families Scotland.  Visit the OPFS website to read their latest news: Changing Lives, Challenging Poverty - One Parent Families Scotland.   

This is part 2 of our conversation with Jean Demars, Director of the Public Interest Law Centre (PILC).  This episode features the kind of services the team is delivering with a focus on their current projects and campaigns, and their approach when taking part in public inquiries including Undercover Policing Inquiry.    Jean is also focusing on their Gypsy and Traveller Legal Advice project and he depicts the structural inequalities these communities are facing across the UK and England, through extensive data analysis.     Jean talks about laws and examples from PILC’s work in England and Wales and the laws in Scotland are often different. However, through our work with Gypsy/Traveller communities in Scotland we also see that these communities often face similar issues and barriers to justice. At JustRight Scotland we are working alongside these communities to defend and extend their rights across Scotland.    The term ‘Gypsies and Travellers’ is used throughout this episode as it is the term used by PILC in their work. In Scotland the term 'Gypsy/Travellers' is often used to refer to distinct groups – such as Roma, Romany Gypsies, Scottish and Irish Travellers.          To learn about the amazing work that PILC are doing in the UK and how impactful it’s on their communities, you can  Visit their website    Check out their videos  Subscribe to their Newsletter    

Today, we talk with Jean Demars, Director of the Public Interest Law Centre (PILC), about:  What PILC is and what the team does.  How they collaborate with community groups and social movements to drive systemic legal change.  Why it is crucial to establish trust-based relationships when working with the most marginalized communities in the UK.  To learn more about their recent cases, upcoming initiatives, and their grassroots approach, where 'Without relationships with groups, we don't exist,' listen to our podcast!  Visit their website for more details: Public Interest Law Centre • Public Law • Human Rights • Legal Action (pilc.org.uk)