A CELEBRATION of the talent and cultural diversity found within Inverclyde's New Scots community will take place at a Greenock church on Friday. 

Lyle Kirk is hosting Inverclyde Refugee Festival from 11am to 3pm. 

The event will bring refugees from all over Inverclyde together to showcase their skills, raise awareness of different cultures, and help to reduce stigma. 

Ideas for the festival have been generated by New Scots who attend a drop-in at Your Voice run by Gaynor Lochhead every Friday. 

Gaynor said there's a 'real buzz' about the event, which coincides with this year's Refugee Festival Scotland Week. 

She added: "The festival will be an amazing celebration of the skills our New Scots are bringing to us culturally. 

"It's so important to show the diversity of cultures we have here in Inverclyde."

On the day, stallholders will showcase their skills with an amazing array of items including embroidery, jewellery, art, food, and photographs. 

There will be a tasty and colourful world buffet full of national dishes from all over the world, prepared by a dedicated team of cooks. 

Talented artists who take part in art classes all over Inverclyde are looking forward to seeing their work on display.

New Scots who are beauty experts are all set to provide henna treatments and hair braiding in the wellness room, which they hope will help them build a client base. 

In the film room, two movies created by refugees who are now settled Inverclyde will be screened. 

The films tell stories of what life was like before leaving their home, and what life is like now living in their new home in Inverclyde. 

Attendees can also view a slideshow showing images from all of the projects and activities New Scots take part in. 

A Gaelic choir - which includes a Ukrainian lady living who is now living in Inverclyde - will provide some beautiful music on the day.

New Scots have also gathered together a selection of national songs in a playlist which will be aired throughout the event. 

Refugees who have settled in the area will give presentation on what their lives were like before and after moving to Inverclyde. 

Everyone is welcome to attend. 

Gaynor said the event will help launch a new weekly New Scots cafe at Lyle Kirk, called Cafe International. 

She said all of the ideas for the festival came from refugees themselves, and she hopes the event will help them continue to grow their love for Inverclyde. 

Gaynor added: "The event has been very much led by them. 

"Members of the group formulated all the ideas and I worked with them to make sure we brought the ideas to life. 

"The event will help us break down any barriers and stigma about the refugee community in Inverclyde, and support our New Scots as they integrate even further into their own communities. 

"We're all really excited about it."

Nataliia Soloviova, who is originally from Ukraine, will be showcasing a range of crocheted toys from a stall at the event. 

She said: "I think this is a really good thing for the community. 

"I hope local people will come along and find out about all the different cultures."