The new Lord Mayor of the British city of Bristol is a former refugee from Somalia who has vowed to help build a cohesive, tolerant community.

Yassin Mohamud, a Greens city councillor, says he wants to bring “unity, working together and helping each other” to role.

Councillor Mohamud is taking on the role as debate around migrants and refugees in Britian is becoming polarised and divisive.

He says he entered public service “to listen, to serve, and to work with the people of Bristol” and to help “build a city where everyone has the opportunity to thrive”.

Mr Mohamud came to Bristol 20 years ago from Somalia, to join his family who was already living in the city.

He said he was made to feel welcome, working first as a volunteer then gaining a degree at the University of Plymouth before working in various public sector roles, including for Bristol City Council.

“When you come as a refugee to this country and are starting a new life, it’s not easy. There are housing issues, work opportunities – all of it was challenging,” Mr Mohamud told the BBC.

“One opportunity that helped me was immediately when I came here, I had someone who was guiding me. Community is important when you’re settling.

“Everywhere I’ve worked, people have been welcoming to me… and I am proud to be a Bristolian; my children were born in Bristol. We are a Bristol family,” he said.

R Mohamud said his own challenges in securing housing, education and employment, and the support he received, had motivated him to help others.

Through his community and voluntary work, he became motivated to do more and got involved in local government.

He  his background as a refugee, his experience as a member of the black and minority ethnic community, and his work representing one of Bristol’s more deprived areas would shape his time as Lord Mayor.

“Unity is the biggest priority for the city, working with all the parties and for all our communities,” he said.

In 2023, as a local councillor, he played a key role in supporting residents of Bristol’s  oldest tower block, which was evacuated over fears major structural faults” risked the building collapsing.

Mr Mohamud said some of the families who were evacuated were still experiencing trauma.

“I hope we can learn from our mistakes, technical and administrative. This something I want to improve,” he said.

He has taken over from the previous Conservative Party councillor.