“I’m Migrant”: WorldRemit’s campaign that champions the impact of migrants

In the initial phase, the campaign will spotlight the stories of 15 migrants residing in the UK who have significantly influenced not only the UK but also their respective countries of origin. Their stories of providing vital care at the NHS whilst financially assisting parents back home, to driving global music trends whilst financing siblings’ education in Nigeria, represent only the first of the hundreds of stories WorldRemit seeks to illuminate. These narratives serve to underscore the substantial impact that migrants have in their host countries and their countries of origin. You can find their inspirational tales on worldremit.com/im-migrant and in national and regional UK media throughout this summer.

As a part of this campaign, WorldRemit plans to unveil a grant programme, dubbed “MyGrant”, set to launch in 2024. This initiative will provide thousands of pounds to migrants worldwide, fostering their dreams and providing them with enhanced security. The programme intends to award 10 individuals with grants of up to £5,000 each for educational pursuits.

In the fiscal year 2018/19, migrants reportedly contributed more than £20 billion in net contributions to the tax and benefits system in the UK. Migrant contributions go beyond economic parameters and are interwoven into the fabric of British society and culture. Whether it’s the universally loved music of Dua Lipa, Stormzy, and M.I.A., the awe-inspiring architecture of Richard George Rogers, the adrenaline rush of cheering for a Premier League football club boasting 371 migrant players, or even the simple joy of enjoying a curry or hearing diverse languages on the tube, migrants have an indelible impact on everyday life in the UK.

Regrettably, much of the public discourse around migration tends to adopt a negative slant. Major UK newspapers have been notorious for publishing numerous front-page stories that portray migrants in a disparaging light. When the UK reported the entry of 606,000 net migrants in 2022, the news was mostly met with concerns about increased governmental pressure and scepticism around the data’s validity, with some local media outlets proclaiming that “Britain is full”. The beneficial influence these individuals bring with them was largely unrecognised.

“Amid growing societal division over issues of identity, migrants often become targets of negative stereotypes and misconceptions,” stated Patrick Stal, Chief Marketing Officer at WorldRemit. “Migrants are the heart of our customer base, and we witness their relentless efforts daily to improve both the UK and their home communities. Their impact is frequently overlooked, and they are often unjustly anonymised. We aim to change this narrative.”

By focusing on personal stories like Daps’, a Nigerian-born British artist and globally recognised video director, WorldRemit aims to humanise migrants, amplify their contributions, and combat the racism and xenophobia they face, enabling them to proudly declare, “I’m Migrant.”

Founded in 2010 by Somalian immigrant Ismail Ahmed, WorldRemit is the UK’s first black-owned Unicorn, facilitating convenient cross-border money transfers for over 8 million people, as part of Zepz. The platform is steadfast in its mission to celebrate and enable the invaluable contributions migrants make worldwide. After all, the truth remains that migrants make a world of difference.