Landmark buildings across the city will be illuminated blue and yellow tonight, to show Plymouth’s support for Ukraine Independence Day.
It has been six months since Russia first invaded Ukraine, and 31 years since declaring independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Across the country, venues are being lit up to demonstrate continued support for the people of Ukraine, and thank the British public for their continued support and generosity.
Since the launch of the Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme, 162 Ukrainian families have been welcomed to Plymouth.
The Council, along with a host of local organisations, has been working hard to support both the Ukrainian guests and their host families, to ensure they can access local services, such as health care, education and skills training, social care and learning English.
On Tuesday 16 August, an event took place at the Council House to welcome 32 Ukrainian guests and thank 24 host families from across the city. The event is just one of the activities planned to help Ukrainian guests to navigate their new lives in Plymouth, as well as a chance to find out more about the Council and local events.
Attending the event was also a new local Facebook group, ‘Devon for Ukraine’. They provide support to fellow Ukrainians in Devon and Plymouth, such as giving English lessons, workshops, get together sessions and donations for Ukraine.
The group liaise with a similar group in London, who also pick up and transport all donations directly to the Ukraine.
The ‘Devon for Ukraine’ Facebook group is open to the public and anyone can join and volunteer to help. You can join the Facebook group here
If you need help and support and have just moved to the UK, ODILS is offering people employment mentoring and is a faith-based charitable enterprise that support people who have been isolated by language and culture both in the UK and overseas.
Deputy Lord Mayor Chris Penberthy, who chairs the Council’s cross-party Task Force overseeing the Homes for Ukraine scheme, said: “It is incredible to see so many families and people from Plymouth come together. The support from the city and the Plymouth families offering to provide them a home is admirable and shows how united we are as a city.
“To show our support even more, we will be lighting up landmark buildings across the city in the colours blue and yellow in aid of celebrating Ukraine Independence Day on 24 August.”
Anyone wanting to find out more, or to offer their help, should visit www.plymouth.gov.uk/ukraine for more information.
Pictured above:
- First image: ‘Devon for Ukraine’ group advocates, Viktoria, Volodymyr (Right) and Liudyla, Iryna and Tetiana (Left)
- Second image: Ukrainian guest Tetyana and her host, Charles
- Third image: Tetiana came to Plymouth from Ukraine two months ago, she is an experienced English teacher.