REFUGEES from more than a dozen countries have come together to create an exhibition about their new lives in Glasgow.

From teenagers who fled war torn countries to pensioners seeking safety, around 40 have been involved in Share My Table.

The nine-month project will now finish with an art exhibition and performance in Tramway.

Community artists Elena Mary Harris and Catrin Evans are behind the project.

Elena Mary said: "The participants have shared stories about making homes in Glasgow and through that they have found a creative voice or a musical voice - but they have found a way to share their experiences."

During the weekly sessions, refugees from 13 nationalities, including Syria, Sudan, Iran, Libya and Nigeria, have created artworks and told their stories to form the basis of a play.

Some have been in Glasgow for a matter of weeks or for as many as 15 years.

Mariam Abdelaziz came to Scotland from Egypt in January with her family, as her mother and step-father were unsafe due to disagreeing with the ruling party.

The 18-year-old said: "My step-dad is a lawyer and my mum has strong opinions.

"The government is really, really bad - you can't imagine it. They kill young boys and rape girls my age and no one does anything because it's the government.

"When we were escaping I knew we were going to a safe place but it was really hard to leave my family.

"We didn't even know where we were going, we had to trust the smuggler."

Mariam, whose ambition is to be a dentist, became involved in Share My Table after a friend from Algeria recommended it to her.

She added: "We have been given a lot of encouragement while working on our performance and that has given us a lot of courage - we are not scared, we are excited."

Fairooz Nangarhari came to Glasgow from Afghanistan with his father.

His mother and two siblings travelled separately to another country but they are seeking ways to be reunited.

The 19-year-old said: "I miss Afghanistan but I feel safe here.

"Eventually I want to go into politics and be a politician to try and make changes and fight for people's rights.

"Coming to Tramway has let me meet people from different countries who are in the same position as me.

"We are learning lots and it is a good way to integrate with people in this country. People are good and kind."

Another of the participants, Arif Rizwan, 33, suffered a terrible kidnapping ordeal in his home country of Pakistan and has been in Scotland now for eight years, spending time in Dungavel detention centre.

Share My Table, produced by Scottish Refugee Council and Tramway, has an exhibition at Tramway from October 19 to 22 and a performance in the venue on October 21 and 22.

Catrin said: "They have surprised me with how not nervous they are about the performance - they are much more confident than I would be about going on to a stage.

"But that's what we wanted, to build confidence. And also, so much of their life is beyond their control.

"We wanted to give them something they have agency over."