A CD-Rom guide to Glasgow, specifically for asylum seekers, has been made by those already living in the city.

‘Glasgow: New Horizons’ has been produced by a group of young asylum seekers hoping to help others coming to Scotland for the first time.

It features practical information for new refugees such as a city map, bus routes and provides a list of local amenities.

It also includes stories from resident asylum seekers detailing their first experiences in the city.

The Scottish Refugee Council, one of several groups behind the project, now plan to show the CD-Rom to all new asylum arrivals to Glasgow.

It is also hoped that it could be distributed to libraries and community centres across the city.

A group of nine Glasgow asylum seekers from a variety of countries, including Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, spent four months working on the project with the help of art group Street Level.

Lindsay Perth, 24, a digital artist who helped put the CD-Rom together, praised the dedication and honesty the group showed.

She said: “The whole idea behind the project was to give refugees in Glasgow something they have never had before – a voice.

“Those involved had never used cameras or computers before but, with a little help, they proved to be very creative and had lots of great ideas.

“The CD-Rom is not just about Glasgow as a city, it is also a personal insight into the lives of refugees who live here.

“The hope is that asylum seekers who come here will be able to use it and in return feel a lot more confident and comfortable in their surroundings.”

Isolation

Project coordinator IIseult Timmermans added: “We hope it will help soften the feeling of isolation for many asylum seekers who come to Glasgow.”

One of the group who made the CD-Rom was Monica, a 24-year-old from Liberia, who has been living in Glasgow for six months.

She said: “It was a great experience because I learned new skills such as photography and computers. I had never seen a computer before.

“It made me wish there was something like this for me when I first arrived here. I’m sure it will be a great help to others like me.”

The CD-Rom features as part of Refugee Week in Scotland which runs until Friday, 22 June.

The finale of refugee week will see a huge ‘Samba in the Square’ – an event of international music and dance in Glasgow’s George Square.