About The Project

The war in Ukraine has forced many families to flee their homes, and a growing number have settled in the London Borough of Sutton—many hosted by local residents.

With funding from Sutton Council, Volunteer Centre Sutton is proud to welcome and support this community, offering practical help, social connection and a sense of belonging during an incredibly challenging time. Annually we support several hundred Ukrainians through a variety of projects for both children and adults.

A core part of our work is supporting children and young people to maintain their culture, build confidence and feel part of a community. Our Saturday Morning School, established in 2022, welcomes around 50 children each week during term time and is currently at full capacity with a waiting list open. Alongside this, we provide mentoring for children and teenagers, summer activities, playgroups, art sessions and a twice-monthly social group for Ukrainian teens. These programmes strengthen wellbeing, cultural identity and peer connection for young people adapting to life in a new country.

For adults, we offer a range of activities designed to support emotional wellbeing, build community and encourage independence. This includes group emotional support sessions, art activities, wellbeing courses, walking tours and weekly drop-ins offering conversation practice, information and connection. Our Ukraine Projects Coordinator, Nataliya, ensures that adults and families have a friendly point of contact and access to the support they need as they rebuild their lives in Sutton.