Since February 2022, so many hearts in our communities, full of love, compassion, and strength were united to organise and welcome over 1800 Ukrainians seeking refuge in East Sussex. All around Wealden, Eastbourne, Lewes districts, and in a remarkably short space of time, many local volunteers and community members pulled forces and minds together to create hubs in villages and towns of the County, and to build networks of support, providing neighbourly care and kindness. Ukrainians met locals, got together with friends, practiced their English, and accessed practical support in dealing with many issues related to settling in their new areas; all of this a fantastic result of communities getting together to welcome and embrace those in need.

For almost 3 years now, many local organisers and volunteers also put together many activities and projects for their new neighbours, supported by our 3VA Homes for Ukraine team and funded by Community Grants from East Sussex County Council and Lewes Council. Ukrainians and their family members could enjoy time to heal themselves, to enjoy life in East Sussex and benefit from:

• Cookery, music, art, meditation, badminton
• English language classes and Community Interpreting courses
• Social hubs with children’s activities, snacks, hot meals and refreshments, also visited by professional advice agencies that help with Benefits, Housing, Employment, NHS etc
• Exhibitions, Celebrations, Cultural events and Memorial events
• Markets and seasonal fairs
• Cinema and music festivals, trips, transport
• Costs to help with moving or with medical appointments
• And so much more!

Find all local hubs, groups, projects and activities for Ukrainians organised by local volunteers and organisers on our map here: Supportive groups and Projects organised by volunteers of East Sussex

See above members of Mayfacs, Networkx, St John’s Ukraine support, Lewes for Ukraine, Sunflower project, East Sussex Ukraine Support, Sanctuary, Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain, Bexhill Ukraine hub, Moving Sounds, Newick Ukraine hub, Brighton Housing Trust, East Sussex County Council Ukraine team and Migrant support team, 3VA, Wellbody Wellmind Wellbeing team. 

With profound gratitude from our 3VA Homes for Ukraine team, and recognition of the magnitude of quality and productivity of these supportive community members and volunteers are providing to Ukrainians of East Sussex, a Wellbeing course was organised to support and celebrate the wonderful network that the 35 attendants and their teams are altogether County-wide, and remind everyone that self care is essential, that all deserve to receive support too! Here’s to a new day and new stories everyone, what a fantastic community you are!

The course organised by Nicole and Maria from WellBody. WellMind. WellBeing and supported by our 3VA Homes for Ukraine team were so helpful to everyone, really appreciated by all and helpful in understanding techniques of self-care and of care to bring to others we work with – many thanks again to the Wellbeing team for this! We strongly recommend contacting the Wellbody Wellmind Wellbeing team for more information on these fantastic supportive groupwork programs!

For support with connecting with local communities and with organising activities, for information on mental health services, and to find activities for Ukrainians in East Sussex or for information on how we can support and advise Ukrainians, get in touch with us on [email protected]