Migrant Moods

For the final episode of this season of Migrant Moods, the mood word is Empowerment. After highlighting and informing everyone about the systemic barriers caused by the UK's immigration system, we breakdown the opportunities for young people to get involved with We Belong and get empowered to advocate for their rights. Find links to our ongoing opportunities here: https://www.webelong.org.uk/g...

In this episode our hosts Abdullahi and Hillay interview We Belong’s Public Affairs and Policy lead Mariam Bafo, and dive deep into the mental health impacts caused by the UK’s hostile immigration system.  For this group of young people who have lived in the UK for most of their lives, having to navigate constant rule changes, long routes to settlement, and a political and media environment that s...

Join us as Asli and Fatima from our Manchester chapter share with us their journeys with We Belong.  We talk about their recent appearance on live radio in response to last summer’s far right protests, and how getting involved with We Belong helped them become more knowledgeable on wider immigration issues.    They also share their advice for councilors, teachers, local authorities or practitioner...

How do you enter the job market as a Young Migrant? How do I explain my immigration status to an employer?     From navigating job searches during visa renewal periods to being your own advocate and explaining the routes to settlement on a job interview, follow along as Hillary interviews previous core group members Milana and Bhavik who share their experiences with the different challenges young...

What hurts more, a dating heartbreak or a friendship heartbreak? Is there such a thing as Black British Culture? Can you talk about politics with your future partners and family members?  Find out our hot takes and stories on navigating dating, family and friendships as a young migrant in this new season of Migrant Moods!    New episodes every Thursday at 8 pm    Hosts: Hillary Coker aka Seun @seu...

In the latest episode of the Migrant Moods podcast, our hosts, Abdullahi and Keshon, embark on an insightful exploration of a career in law, precisely the barrister route. Joined by esteemed guest Hannah Lucy Wright, an employed barrister with years of experience in the civil service, this episode delves deep into the intricacies of choosing a career at the bar and shares valuable advice for aspir...

In this episode of the Migrant Meets Podcast, core members from We Belong—Jaya, Milana, Hilary, and Abdullahi—dive into an engaging discussion on Fatima Farheen Mirza’s debut novel, 'A Place for Us.'  The conversation explores the novel's themes of home, belonging, and the migrant experience, drawing parallels between the book and the real-life challenges migrants face in the UK.  Key...

Welcome to the second season of the Migrant Meets Podcast, brought to you by We Belong—the only nationwide charity run by young migrants in the UK. In this episode, Co-hosts Milana and Amina dive into a deeply emotional and compelling discussion about the systemic barriers faced by young people growing up in the UK with precarious immigration status.  Featuring special guests Mariam Bafo, We Belon...

This special episode of Migrant Moods takes us to Manchester, where Ilsa and Amina meet changemaker Samuel Remi-Akinwale, the CEO of Young Manchester.  Sami, a proud Nigerian Mancunian with a passion for basketball, anime, and his community, is a force for social change. Young Manchester supports organisations working with Manchester's youth, and Sami's leadership journey is deeply persona...

In this episode, our hosts Milana and Jaya interviewed Kelvyn Quagraine, an enthusiastic Social Media campaigner and activist who shares with us how communities have the power to transform society. Raised in the UK in a Ghanaian household, Kelvyn grew up surrounded by the arts, community and football.    Kelvyn believes in the power of brands and storytelling and has found a way to combine his pas...

It has been almost a year since we started our podcast and we are extremely grateful to all of you for listening! Join our podcast hosts, Milana and Abdullahi, as they reflect on how much their lives and the podcast have changed over the last year. Our hosts want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support and wish you all the best for this winter season.  We understand that not e...

In this episode, we had the privilege of speaking with Chrisann Jarrett, MBE, the CEO of We Belong, an organisation dedicated to helping young migrants campaign for a more equitable future. Chrisann's own experience of struggling against unfair immigration policies that blocked her from attending university fuelled her passion to make a change. She was inspired by the US Dreamers' movement...

In this episode, we explore the meaning of We Belong, a youth-led organisation that empowers young migrants to become leaders and campaign for fairness and change. We hear from core group members and staff about what being part of We Belong means to them, and our hosts Abdullahi and Amina share their favourite memories from a recent “away day.” Are you a young migrant looking for a supportive comm...

October is Black History Month! To commemorate this, our hosts put together a special activity that you can find here:  ⁠https://forms.office.com/e/Lvets6J8aE⁠  The top 5 scorers will win a special voucher at the end of the month! So be sure to follow We Belong on social media where we will announce the winners. Maximising Your Chances of Success: Advice on Scholarships, Apprenticeships, and More...

This month, We Belong core group members Hillary and Milana met with We Belong alumna Zino Onokaye-Akaka, Programme Manager at 'Heard' - a charity working with people and the media to inspire content that changes hearts and minds and co-host of podcast Tea with Coconut and Plantain. In this episode, Hillary, Milana and Zino discussed migrant representation in the media as well as Zino&ap...

This episode of Migrant Moods is hosted by We Belong core group members Abdullahi and Milana and explores the theme of change through conversation and storytelling with their fellow core group members Amina and Tobi. As the episode progresses, we discover the cultural similarities and differences between their countries of origin, and their shared experience of arriving in the UK as a young person...

This episode, our We Belong core group members Hillary and Milana are chatting to Fereshteh Mozaffari: writer, theatre maker and founder of the BME arts initiative Sheba Arts. They explore the power of art to liberate migrant communities and why migrant representation in art is so important. Our guest Fereshteh takes us through the ups and downs of her own artistic and physical journey from Iran t...

In episode 3, core group members Hillary and Milana discuss the struggle faced by migrants who are young, gifted and blocked in their bid to access higher education. Drawing from their own experiences, they share valuable information about Student Finance England and the Home Office, and the importance of being aware and educated of your immigration status when dealing with them. Unsure of your st...

In this episode, We Belong core group members Hillary and Milana have an empowering and inspiring conversation with the first person of colour in Britain to lead a national political party (Women’s Equality Party), Mandu Reid.  Mandu discusses her own lived experience of migration and the UK’s hostile environment along with race, climate change, period poverty and her personal journey into the wor...

Welcome to We Belong’s first mini-episode of our core group’s newest creation: the Migrant Moods podcast.  This episode, lead by core group members Hillary and Milana, is an informative, emotive and poignant insight into an empowering storytelling technique that we love to use here at We Belong, called ‘Story of Self’.  Thank you for listening to the Migrant Moods podcast. If you are affected by a...