Ukrainian refugees living in Dorset will be gathering to mark the second year since the invasion of their homeland by Russia.
 
The event is organised and hosted by #HelpAndKindness, in collaboration with Dorset Council’s Ukraine Response team and Dorset Together.

A closed event, it will be held on Wednesday, February 7 from 10am to 2pm at the Brownsword Hall in Poundbury to show support for Ukrainian refugees in Dorset.

A spokesperson for the event said: "It will be a chance to acknowledge everything we achieved together during the last two years and to reflect on the challenges we continue to face. 
 
"Since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine two years ago, (February 24, 2022) Dorset has welcomed more than 1,000 Ukrainian refugees. But sadly, as the Russian missile attacks on the country and civilians continue, for many refugees, returning to Ukraine continues to be an impossible dream.
 
"The news and pictures we are all seeing across our TVs and social media are difficult to process, and something that we hoped never to see in our lifetimes.
 
"Dorset continues to stand in unity and solidarity with the people of Ukraine."
 
The event will mark the second anniversary of the invasion and reflect on the support for Ukraine in Dorset.

Speakers lined up for the event include:
 

  • Jon Sloper, CEO #HelpAndKindness
  • Maryna Dovbysh, Community Refugee Project officer #HelpAndKindness, former journalist in Ukraine
  • Holly Loxton, Dorset Council’s service manager for Ukraine response
  • Thomas Hensher, Citizens Advice, Ukrainian Refugee Specialist Coordinator
  • Sarah Campbell, Ukrainian Refugee Employment Coordinator

 
Representatives will attend from the Shaftesbury Refugee Group, Weymouth Area Ukrainian Community, Purbeck Connect Ukraine, Volunteer Centre Dorset, Dorchester Baptist Church, Weymouth Radipole Church, Race Equality Council volunteers, sponsors and Dorset Council & town councillors. 
 
Following presentations, a Ukrainian lunch of borshch with pampushki will be served followed by questions and answers and an opportunity to meet Ukrainian refugees living in Dorset.
 
The event is for invited guests only and is not open to the public.

RSVP if you would like to attend to: maryna.dovbysh@helpandkindness.co.uk. Tel:  07939859779 or 01305 595958.

In October last year, refugee families living in Dorset were given a day out at Cumulus Outdoors Adventure Centre in Swanage thanks to funds raised by the Dorset Welcome Fund grant from the Dorset Community Foundation as well as funds raised when Radipole Vicar Nick Clarke and retired teacher Andy Dukes.

READ MORE: Dorset group driving to Ukraine to deliver supplies