The Ukrainian Hub, based at the Guildford Baptist Church, meets every Friday to offer support to those impacted by the war in Ukraine. It has created a welcoming space for the local Ukrainian community, offering food, clothing, English classes and opportunities to celebrate Ukrainian traditions.
Since its opening in 2022, the hub has continued to meet a vital need in the community, supporting a diverse range of individuals who regularly utilise its services.
“This is a great community hub. Lots of Ukrainians come here, and there is a really warm vibe. If somebody needs help, it is always given.”
Valentina, a visitor of the hub, said:
“I come back every week to communicate with Ukrainian people. We receive information about events in Ukraine. We get food and we feel a sense of community and support.”
Community Support
Every Friday, the hub welcomes all people who are displaced, not just Ukrainians, for a chance to chat over tea and cake. Visitors can access food parcels and clothing, easing financial pressures, as well as English classes that support CV building and job interview preparation. Beyond these practical services, many attendees treasure the opportunity to speak Ukrainian and reconnect with a sense of home and belonging.
Iryna, the resettlement coordinator at Guildford Council, explained:
“It is good to have such a service. Anything can happen, people can become homeless or relationships could fall apart. It is good to know that there is support available here.”
While many people come along to share the space together, not everyone can join in person; some are busy with work, caring for family, or other commitments. To make sure no one misses out, the hub also prepares food parcels with fresh produce, so support reaches those who need it most.
Halyna, a visitor of the hub, shared:
“It is very important that food is given in food parcels to take home. It helps a lot financially. Sometimes I can also take clothes for my three children. It is very important to me and very helpful.”
Tastes of Home
The Ukrainian Hub’s food parcels includes cupboard staples like tinned and packaged foods as well as fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables.
When asked about what foods they like to see at the hub, one of the visitors exclaimed:
“Borscht, beetroots. Vegetables. Berries, fruits. It’s summer now so nice fresh foods are coming.”
Many of the attendees shared how they use this food to make traditional Ukrainian dishes like Borscht, a traditional soup made with beetroots, carrots, cabbage, potatoes and stock. This popular dish is a particular favourite so it sparks excitement when the ingredients are available at the hub! Some members of the community make and share traditional dishes for their host families as a cultural exchange, which has been enjoyed.
“When the war is over, I want everyone to visit us in Ukraine. I will cook everything that is Ukrainian food.”
Support and Belonging
For many, the Ukrainian Hub has been far more than just a meeting place, it has been a lifeline. In moments of shock and uncertainty, it has offered comfort, understanding, and a safe space to share experiences. Most importantly, it has helped people feel less alone, lifting spirits, strengthening mental health, and creating a real sense of solidarity and belonging.
“When the war started I was in shock, I was really stressed. I could not eat or sleep for a couple of months. Then the hub was set up, it helped me psychologically. It helped me to survive.”
The hub has become a vibrant cultural space, keeping Ukrainian traditions and celebrations alive far from home. It offers room for creativity, music, and shared customs, bringing people together through the joy of familiar rituals. One family of professional singers performed a few songs during our visit, with others joining in, cheering and clapping along. They have even performed at concerts hosted by the hub, events that not only raise vital funds for Ukraine but also fill the community with pride, connection, and happiness.
Jim, a volunteer at the hub, shared:
“We had a big concert where everyone wore their national dress. The facilities here are brilliant. It’s not just a church, it is a community.”
If you are interested in the Ukrainian Hub, visit their Facebook page or the Guildford Baptist Church’s website. If you would like to donate to Fareshare Sussex and Surrey please visit our website, this would help continue to provide surplus food to community projects like the Ukrainian Hub.