Voices of Lancashire

In this episode, Irene, an Egyptian-British professional who has lived in many countries around the world explores the “mosaic of cultures” she is. Irene is of Egyptian origin but was born in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), where she lived the first fifteen years of her life. After that, she spent the rest of her life between Egypt, the UAE, the UK, and Albania for work, family, and study. She lived in Pre...

In this episode, Marjan, a Dutch sculptor who has been in the UK for more than four decades, explores Lancashire landscape and society through the eyes of an artist and active citizen. Arrived in Liverpool for the first time in 1978, for a summer voluntary work opportunity, she returned in 1979 for what she thought was going to be a gap year. However, she remained in the UK and eventually set her...

In this episode, Gosha, a Polish artist who arrived in Lancashire twenty years ago, recollects her story of adaptation to and integration with the local society. In her early twenties, Gosha left Poland hitchhiking, with the goal to go to Portugal for a holiday. She never arrived in Portugal: in Spain she met a British man who then became her partner and father of her son. After a few years in Spa...

In this episode, Ihor, a young migrant from Kozyatyn (Ukraine) who arrived in the UK in 2022, explores the challenges and the opportunities his decision to leave his country at war entailed. Entered in the UK with a sponsor visa, now Ihor lives in Chorley where he quickly got used to life in the little market town, also thanks to the precious support of his British sponsors. Busy between study, sp...

In this episode, Bahar, a Turkish young woman who arrived in the UK in 2017, explores the meaning and challenges of a travelling lifestyle. Having spent most of her life in Adana, Southern Turkey, Bahar decided to quit her job and discover the world. Her curiosity and entrepreneurship brought her in various places around Europe and, eventually, in Chorley, where she works as a chef in an Italian r...

In this episode, Lhen, a Filipino woman who arrived in Buckshaw Village in 2021, shares her story as the main breadwinner of a big family with 12 siblings. Lhen moved from a small town in Mindoro to Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, where she worked in the fashion industry and, eventually, met the man she fell in love with and married. After many years in Dubai, the couple decided to relocate to...

In this episode, Terry, a young woman from Hong Kong who arrived in Preston five years ago, explores how she got used to the slow-paced life in Lancashire after a life lived in big cities such as Hong Kong and Toronto. Curious and open towards other cultures and languages, Terry learns patterns of good behaviour and useful expressions by observing the locals. With a dream to become a tree manageme...

In this episode, Enisa, a woman from Tirana (Albania) who arrived in Skelmersdale through a family reunion in 2020, talks about the importance of personal interests and hobbies in helping with the integration process when we move to a new place. A portrait photographer in Tirana, Enisa learnt about and connected with the local society through her camera. If you want to see her work, check her Inst...

In this episode, Graciela, a woman from Buenos Aires (Argentina) who arrived in Britain in 1993, talks about her experience in the UK as a sales assistant at the airport, a seed grower in her Adlington garden, a mother of three children, and, more generally, a passionate woman who follows her heart. After 30 years in the UK, in 2023 Graciela decided to move to Cehegin, in Spain, where she has crea...

In this episode, Sojin, an immigrant from South Korea who arrived in the UK as a student many years ago and eventually established herself as a thriving academic, talks about her life in the UK as she tried to reach a degree of life/work balance, managed a few racist episodes, and learned to be a good citizen in this country. Arrived in Preston 7 years ago, she then move to Lytham where she curren...

In this episode, Lana, an immigrant of Palestinian origin born in the United Arab Emirates, who entered the UK as a refugee, talks about the challenges of staying behind while her husband was making a dangerous journey to Europe and the difficulties in getting adapted to a new life in the UK. Now British citizen, she has been living in Lancaster for eight years. In this chat we discuss about: [00:...

In this episode, Alessandro, an immigrant from a small town in the Italian Alps, talks about the long journey that brought him to Thornton Cleveleys eight years ago. Now working as a nurse in various Lancashire hospitals, Alessandro seems to have found a good balance between work and family life here, despite the challenges of his profession. In this chat we discuss about:  [00:04] Stereotype...

In this podcast series, the host, Lara Momesso, interviews immigrants residing in Lancashire, a county in northwest England, and explores with them their migration stories, integration experiences, aspirations, and contributions to their adopted home. With a goal to promote intercultural exchange and challenge stereotypes about immigrants in the UK, this podcast offers insights into the diverse ex...