New dates have been announced for a popular community event held to provide support for Ukrainian guests and sponsors in the Braintree District.
Organisers at Braintree District Council and Braintree Community Centre have announced a new batch of dates which will run once a month until the end of the year. They have also confirmed the event will include an English conversational language lesson, run by Ukrainian speaking volunteers supporting guests to understand everyday English language.
First held in June 2022, the free events give Ukrainian guests and sponsors the opportunity to meet and talk to others, share experiences and learn about local services available to them – all with a translator available.
The events will be held from 10am-1pm at Braintree Community Centre on:
- Friday 9th September
- Friday 21st October
- Friday 18th November
- Friday 9th December
The English conversational language lesson part of the session will start at 10am with the meet up starting at 11am.
It is free to attend and no booking is required. Refreshments will also be available on the day.
Cllr Frankie Ricci, Cabinet Member for Communities at Braintree District Council, said: "We have always stood in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, and we want to continue to do what we can to help.
“Our community events have helped displaced Ukrainian families to meet one another in a welcoming and supportive setting. It also gives us a chance to show the help and support both Ukrainian families and their sponsors can access in the community.
“When we held these events before they were a huge success so we wanted to keep them going. I am incredibly proud of the work the council and partners are doing to support our Ukrainian guests and we will continue to work alongside our partners to ensure they have our support for as long as they are in our district.”
Latest figures show that there are 268 guests currently living in the Braintree District as part of the Homes for Ukraine scheme.