Our Events
Helping to inform, raise funds and build community
Ukrainian Film Night, ‘Culture vs War’*,
9th November 2024
7pm until 10pm, Motcombe Memorial Hall, SP7 9NT
Running time: 85 minutes: English Subtitles (16 years and older)
The heroes of this moving film are well-known Ukrainian artists who joined the ranks of the Armed Forces , and cultural figures engaged in active volunteer activities during the Russian invasions.
Hear Maryna Dobvysh describe the event here at 47mins 45 secs
Come and join Ukrainian guests and show your support for them, hear their own accounts and try some Ukrainian food.
Entry to the film is free, and there will be a collection for local refugee support.
*Created by the Association "Promoting the development of cinema in Ukraine - watch Ukrainian!" with the support of the European Union in Ukraine, the MHP-Community Foundation and Babylon Company.
*The full-length film "Culture vs. War" was produced within the framework of the "Culture vs. War" complex project, which includes 6 short documentaries, and photo exhibitions
Quiz Night and Syrian Buffet,
16th November 2024
6pm until 10pm, Motcombe Memorial Hall, SP7 9NT
Our quizzes have become very popular, for
the quality of the delicious Syrian food,
the fun questions
the interesting and unusual practical tasks
the variety of raffle prizes
and the lavishness of our grand prizes.
If you want to secure your place for teams of up to 6 at a very reasonable £20 per person then sign on below and pay on the night.
Individuals and pairs welcome, we will help you form a team.
Our quiz night is supported by Kabab Ji (Syrian Cuisine) KSC
Oxford City, the Colleges and Christmas Lights
Saturday, 23rd November pick ups from 8.00am
Join our free coach trip to Oxford to visit this, the city with the oldest University in the English speaking world.
A delightful city with the the ‘dreaming spires’ of Colleges and University and the bustle of a busy shopping centre.
The Christmas lights will be blazing and we will have a base in New College, who kindly host us for the day.
Субота, 23 листопада, забір з 8:00
Приєднуйтеся до нашої безкоштовної автобусної поїздки до Оксфорда, щоб відвідати це місто з найстарішим університетом в англомовному світі.
Чудове місто з «мрійливими шпилями» коледжів та університетів і метушнею жвавого торгового центру.
Різдвяні вогні будуть спалахувати, і ми матимемо базу в Новому коледжі, який люб’язно прийме нас протягом дня.
Children’s Christmas Craft Workshop
A Christmas Craft Workshop for children (up to the age of 12) will be held on Sunday 8th December, 2-4pm in Shaftesbury.
The workshop will be run by Tamsin Jacson, a qualified and very experienced teacher who is passionate about art and craft for children.
The children will leave with some fantastic Christmas decorations!
There is no charge for the workshop and refreshments will be provided for children and adults. Places are limited so please book soon if you are interested!
Різдвяна творча майстерня для дітей (віком до 12 років) відбудеться в неділю, 8 грудня, з 14:00 до 16:00 у Шафтсбері.
Семінар проводитиме Тамсін Джексон, кваліфікований і досвідчений викладач, який захоплюється декоративно-прикладним мистецтвом для дітей. Діти підуть із фантастичними різдвяними прикрасами!
Участь у занятті безкоштовна, для дітей та дорослих передбачені частування.
Кількість місць обмежена, тому, будь ласка, бронюйте швидше, якщо вам цікаво!
Independence Day of Ukraine 2024
Commemorating the Declaration of Independence in 1991, this is an important flag day for all Ukrainians asserting their independence as a Nation State
We are grateful to the committee of Gillingham Social Club for their hospitality on this evening.
Annual General Meeting 2024
We held our Annual General meeting in public on Monday 15th July at 18.00 at the Friends Meeting House, Abbey Walk, Shaftesbury, SP7 8BB
This is Alfred and some hosts came along to hear about our activity over the last year and our plans for the future of our charity and its support for displaced people in North Dorset and South Wiltshire.
The Jurassic Coast trip
A trip to Durdle Door, Weymouth and Portland.
On 13th July we had a day out to the Jurassic Coast and the seaside, to meet friends and compatriots, to picnic and enjoy some good weather.
It was a wonderful day where we discovered the Sunflower Cafe, made new friends and renewed acquaintances.
Blessed by good weather we had a great time and took some stunning photographs.
Ivan Kupalo 2024
Midsummer brought the opportunity to celebrate together by the lake side in the hills of Shaftesbury.
We gather herbs and flowers, decorated ourselves and sent garlands onto the water.
We are grateful to fellow Trustee, Sara Jacson for her kindness in sharing her home with us for this evening.
Vyshyvanka 2024
This important event to celebrate Ukrainian identity and to wear the dress of Ukraine, the Vyshyvanka, took place on 25th May.
We paraded and picnicked and celebrated the nation of Ukraine and its people displaced to our area.
It was a lovely evening, no rain and the pictures and story show how important these events are, especially for Ukrainian children.
Make a movie in a week, Easter activity for children.
Over Easter children aged 7 to 17 learned to shoot an entire short film in just 5 days, ready to screen in front of an audience on Saturday morning!
This fantadtic week of full on activity was organised by Shaftesbury Arts Centre Youth Theatre in association with Limelight Theatre,
Course costs for displaced children were subsidised by The Shaftesbury Arts Centre and Shaftesbury Refugee Group.
Maslenitsa 2024
Local Ukrainian friends were joined by the people of North Dorset in a celebration of 'Maslenitsa'.
This traditional Ukrainian event was held in Shaftesbury Town Hall with an exhilarating display by the Cossack branch of SPAS and folk singing by Larysa Sotnykova and Oksana Khorunzha.
With craft making master classes in Pysanky - egg decoration, candle making, the making of Motanka dolls and, of course, delicious and varied pancakes.
A sale of goods raised over £500 to support Ukrainian humanitarian charities.
‘Flavours of Ukraine’ with Olya Patiuta
We had two wonderful culinary workshops for Ukrainian guests and the wider community of North Dorset and South Wilts in early March. These hands on and active sessions, led by Olya of Zhiva Authentica, brought new flavours and techniques to some and a taste of home to others. We were joined by over 60 people across the workshops, who were hosted by the wonderful Compton McRae. It was hands on, homely and heart-warming interactive fun.
Hear Olya speak to Keri Jones on Alfred here from 50 mins 10 seconds.
The hosting experience
Hosts in the Homes for Ukraine scheme have played the most important role in the United Kingdom’s offer of a sanctuary from Russian aggression. We wanted to celebrate their achievements and the success of the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
The aggression has not ended and new hosts are still needed for people in fear and facing harm in Ukraine. We wanted to learn the lessons from the past 21 months and use it to support new hosts.
Current and past hosts were welcome at this informal and reflective coffee and cake event and we learnt a great deal together.
Christmas coach trip to Wimborne and Kingston Lacy
On December 9th, 40 of us headed out to Wimborne for a little Christmas shopping and then had some festive fun at Kingston Lacy where this fabulously decorated heritage house told traditional Christmas tales from around the world.
Christmas printing course
An opportunity to design and create unique printed Christmas cards and gift tags in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
Together in Dance
The visit of the Stars of Kyiv City Ballet to North Dorset
The visit of Kyiv City Ballet took place from 1st to 9th October 2023.
It was a week of community, identity, inclusion and the joy of dance.
A week of school visits, dance classes, receptions, discussions, films, talks and performance.
The visit of the stars of Kyiv City Ballet was a chance to celebrate Ukrainian culture and to share thanks for the support that has been given.
“Всі були просто неймовірно класні!!! Серце тремтіло, душа співала, ноги пританцьовували” Marina, Tisbury
Independence Day of Ukraine, Thursday 24th August
We came together and celebrated. We were with family, enjoyed some food and had a barbecue and some gentle games.
Ivan Kupala
Friday 7th July
What a happening!
A memorable Ivan Kupala, a special event for children.
Learn about Ivan Kupala from a museum in Kyiv here
Our Annual General Meeting
We held our AGM on Saturday 10th June 2023.
If you would like to read the Chair’s and Treasurer’s reports on our work since last year, please click below.
This is Alfred reported on our AGM here listen from 24mins 16sec.
Vyshyvanka Day
Thursday May 18th was Vyshyvanka Day in Shaftesbury and across the World
We invited everyone to take part in this international holiday that aims to preserve the Ukrainian folk traditions of creating and wearing ethnic embroidered clothes called vyshyvankas.
People showed their support for Ukraine and dropped in for drinks and nibbles and a great deal of Ukrainian culture and even a little English culture too..
Eurovision
Motcombe, Saturday 13th May.
An amazing night of Eurovision magic in Motcombe.
Over 90 Ukrainian and UK guests enjoyed the unique atmosphere of Eurovision together.
The pop up restaurant by ‘Gillingham Syrian Cuisine’ was a great success serving up heaped plates of delicious shawarma and falafel with salads and chips.
Raffles were won and people were united through song. Thanks to all who came.
Film night: щедрик, ‘Carol of the Bells’
On 29th April 2023 we joined together to watch the very moving , щедрик, ‘Carol of the Bells’.
Hosted at the Shaftesbury Arts Centre, 111 people saw this brilliant film.
Maslenitsa
A Ukrainian community thank you during Maslenitsa, pancake week, to the community of support they feel a part of.
Held at Shaftesbury Town Hall on Saturday 25th February.
See the report on this fabulous event here