Focus groups were conducted to discuss migrants’ early experiences in Aberdeen, particularly around health related issues. For newcomers, a key source of information was word of mouth within their own ethnic or language communities, including friends, family, and even local restaurants with their national food. However, if local networks were not aware of services or resources, a newcomer could miss out on the help they needed. It could also be difficult to find others who spoke the same language. Popular points of contact with institutions included GPs, the local council, and schools, colleges or universities. Some participants also turned to landlords, dentists, local charities, religious groups, community centres and groups linked to their country of origin.