Rudy T

Hi Uisce,

Thanks for sharing this week’s question — it really resonates with me.

I live in Dundee, Scotland, and while a lot of people assume that Scotland has better job opportunities or support systems, the reality feels more complicated — especially when you're on a low income. Also, my experience as an international student and a mother of three has been very different.

There are some good things here — for example, access to certain services like the Free bus pass for children or free prescriptions definitely helps, and I appreciate that Scotland is trying to do more around poverty. But in terms of actual job opportunities, I often feel stuck. Dundee is a small city, and while there are jobs around, many of them are **low-paid**, **part-time**, or on **zero-hour contracts**. It’s really hard to find something stable, especially if you don’t drive or have specific qualifications.

Transport is another big barrier. If the job is outside the city or requires odd hours, it’s not always possible to get there by public transport, and taxis are too expensive. That means I have to turn down roles I might otherwise be willing to take.

Childcare is another big issue. Even if I could find more work, I’d struggle to afford childcare or to find childcare that fits with the kind of jobs available. And because I don’t have a car, travelling for work or accessing services outside the city centre can be really difficult.

So yes, I do think where I live affects my opportunities — not just for work, but also in terms of accessing support, childcare, and training. I think people assume that just because it’s in Scotland, there are lots of options — but for those of us on the ground, it’s not always that simple.

I appreciate being able to share this, because these realities often get missed when people talk about opportunity — it doesn’t look the same for everyone. It’s encouraging to know these voices are being heard.