Braintree District Council joined people around the world to celebrate Ukraine Independence Day last week (Saturday 24 August).
To mark the occasion and to support the Braintree district’s Ukrainian community, Braintree District Council hosted an afternoon get together at Braintree Community Centre. Ukrainian guests and sponsors who have opened their homes up for Ukrainians were able to immerse themselves in an afternoon of Ukrainian culture, including music, dance, food and arts and crafts.
On social media people across the country showed their solidarity with Ukraine by sharing pictures or videos of sunflowers, the national flower of Ukraine and a symbol of Ukrainian identity and hope for the future, using the hashtag #SunflowersForUkraine.
Braintree District Council’s Chairman Cllr Walters, Cllr Bowers-Flint and Cllr Bowers were also in attendance.
Since March 2022, more than 300 Ukrainians have arrived in the Braintree district under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
Councillor Mary Cunningham, Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities at Braintree District Council, said: “It’s important that we continue to show our support and commitment to Ukraine as they celebrate Ukrainian Independence Day. Residents have shown incredible generosity and support and have opened their doors to Ukrainians enabling them to start rebuilding their lives. The war in Ukraine has not gone away, and we are still seeing many guests in need of homes, so I’d encourage people to consider offering their homes to those still fleeing from Ukraine or who are unable to stay with their current sponsor.”
Councillor Lyn Walters, Chairman of Braintree District Council, said: “It was an absolute pleasure to attend the Ukraine Independence Day celebrations and meet the wonderful people who make up our Ukrainian community, as well as the wonderful hosts and communities who have gone the extra mile in giving people a safe home and friendship in the most trying of times.”
Janice Gregory, from Braintree has hosted Olga from Kyiv in Ukraine since May 2022. Speaking of her experience as a host, Janice said: “In 2022 I felt I was in a position to offer to share my home as part of the Homes for Ukraine scheme. The whole experience has given my life a new purpose and new friends. We have an unbreakable bond and whatever the future holds, Olga will always be a part of my family. The Ukrainian community here are very supportive of each other and are very grateful to have found peace and safety which is no longer available in their beloved homeland.”
Olga also shared more about her experience of living in the Braintree district, who said: “I started learning English together with Janice, I started working as a volunteer with Janice, we are always together! Her family has become my family, we spend all family holidays and meetings together and take care of each other like sisters and friends! I am very grateful to Janice for her kindness and humanity.”
Anyone can consider hosting as long as they can offer accommodation for at least six months, and those who are successfully matched to Ukrainian guests are offered a £350 per month ‘thank you’ payment, rising to £550 a month after six months and then to £700 for guests who have been in the country for over a year.
Residents can easily register their interest in the Homes for Ukraine scheme online.
Sponsors are able to end their hosting at any time, however are asked to host guests for at least six months.