A summer tradition at Deen City Farm 

On 28 July, families joined our much-loved annual summer trip to Deen City Farm in Morden. 

For many families, the trip has become a special summer tradition — a chance to step away from everyday routines and enjoy a day together. 

Children had the opportunity to meet and feed the animals, explore the farm and enjoy the playground, while parents, grandparents and other family members shared in the experience. It was wonderful to see several generations enjoying the day together. 

Established in 1978, Deen City Farm is one of London’s oldest city farms. Today, the five-acre working farm is home to around 120–150 animals and provides educational and wellbeing activities for the local community. 

With plenty of sunshine throughout the summer, spending time outdoors offered families a chance to relax, reconnect and recharge. For those who have experienced significant change and uncertainty, opportunities to spend positive time together and create new memories can be particularly meaningful. 

A day of Ukrainian culture and community 

Another highlight of the summer was a trip to Eastbourne and Seven Sisters, which brought 49 members of the Ukrainian community together for a day of friendship, culture and shared experiences. 

The journey itself became part of the experience. On the coach, participants sang traditional Ukrainian folk songs — cherished songs that have been preserved and passed down through generations. 

There was plenty of laughter and conversation, alongside quizzes and activities prepared especially for the group. Participants also had the opportunity to learn more about the places they were visiting as they travelled towards the coast. 

On 26 August, marking the 35th anniversary of Ukrainian Independence, the Ukrainian flag was raised above the iconic white cliffs of Seven Sisters. 

For the Ukrainian community in Sutton, this was a particularly meaningful moment — representing resilience, unity and hope. 

Not only did we enjoy the beautiful sunny weather and the healthy sea air, but we also celebrated the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence in a warm, friendly atmosphere. Although we are far from our homeland, thanks to the help and support of Sutton Council and the Volunteer Centre Sutton—we are immensely grateful that England has become our second home. Thank you!! 

Trip Attendee

A special Ukrainian Independence Day quiz invited participants to test their knowledge of Ukraine’s landmarks and regions. One of the most popular activities challenged participants to identify Ukrainian regions from clues about famous places. 

The activity quickly brought people together, with participants becoming increasingly engaged and enthusiastic as they tried to guess the answers. 

The trip also provided an opportunity to reflect on what makes Ukraine’s cities and regions so special. For many participants, travelling along the English coast while talking about Ukraine brought back memories of their own hometowns and the places they had left behind. 

Creating memories together

The combination of beautiful scenery, Ukrainian music, shared memories and time together made the trip about much more than visiting a new place. 

It was an opportunity to celebrate community, culture and belonging — and to find moments of joy together while being far from home. 

Feedback from participants was extremely positive, with many highlighting how much they enjoyed the activities, quizzes and singing Ukrainian songs together, as well as the opportunity to spend time as a community. 

A sincere thank you to Sutton Council and Nataliya from Volunteer Centre Sutton for organizing the wonderful trip to Eastbourne. We enjoyed the trip very much! We are all happy, had incredible experiences, enjoyed the clean sea, and saw the "Seven Sisters." Everything was beautifully organized, so the time passed easily and unforgettable. We are very glad! We got unforgettable emotions. Thank you. 

Trip Attendee

These summer activities are a reminder that community is built through shared experiences — whether that means feeding animals at a city farm, singing familiar songs on a coach, discovering a new place, sharing memories of home or simply sitting together and enjoying a sunny day. 

For the Ukrainian community in Sutton, these moments provide more than enjoyment. They create opportunities to build connections, strengthen friendships and celebrate culture, helping people feel supported and connected to their community.