Leeds Together for Ukraine appeal supports 1,500 people

More than 1,560 people have been supported thanks to the Leeds Together for Ukraine appeal. 

The appeal was launched in 2022, in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the resulting humanitarian crisis. It provided a focal point for local people wanting to do their bit to help displaced people. Initiated by Leeds City Council, the appeal’s fundraising efforts were distributed through the Leeds Together for Ukraine Fund, administered by Leeds Community Foundation. 

In total, more than £135,000 was raised and distributed through 10 grants to local Community Organisations in Leeds. The organisations awarded funding were: 

• • • • Christ Church Armley (Meeting Point)  
      • Harehills English Language Project (H.E.L.P.)  
      • Leeds Asylum Seekers’ Support Network (awarded 2 grants) 
      • Leeds Refugee Forum  
      • Leeds Ukrainian Community Association  
      • Mafwa Theatre  
      • Otley Welcomes CIC 
      • Refugee Education and Training Advice Service (RETAS)  
      • Smart Work Charity (Leeds) 

Organisations were able to adapt and respond to meet the needs of communities arising in this emergency. A range of activities were delivered, including practical support with things like ID and status checks, education, training and language support, social support groups, and creative activities like drama workshops and a gardening group. 

One organisation, Leeds Ukrainian Community Association, used their grant to run a Saturday school for Ukrainian children who had moved to the UK due to the war. They taught History, Geography, Music, Art and Ukrainian Languages to 3 classes, grouped by age. They also organised group trips to Eureka!, and performances for various celebrations including Christmas and Easter. In all, 100 children were supported during the project, with 25 regularly attending Saturday school. They shared the story of one of their students… 

“In the first year of our school, there was a boy who came from Ukraine and refused to speak English. He understood everything that the members of his host family told him, did the tasks at the lessons in his English school and studied well. The boy had good relations with his classmates, but he didn’t speak English either at school or home. His mother talked about that problem to the teachers in our Ukrainian school, and we paid attention to his communicative skills. He had an opportunity to play with and talk to other children who had English as a second language as well. 

He could ask questions and explain his thoughts in Ukrainian sometimes. But, at the same time, we asked him to describe pictures, explain the tasks to other children or only repeat the teacher’s instructions at the English lesson in our school. Then he started to take a speaker role when presenting their group work. And at the end of the school year, he even announced his group number at our performance. He has made friends in school and communicates with all his classmates. His class teacher told his mum that ‘he became more friendly’. The boy sometimes is still shy in class and public places, but it was a pleasure for all the staff of our school to listen to his story about hummingbirds in English.” 

We would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who contributed to the Leeds Together for Ukraine appeal for making this work possible.