Visit a library for a free gift book!

Fleeing war from the only place you've called home is scary, especially for a child. Imagine arriving in a new country where everything feels unfamiliar and unknown. Surrounded by new faces, places, and languages, even a small expression of hospitality-a welcome wave, a friendly smile, a special memento to provide a source of comfort, reminding you that you're not alone.

Sanctuary Foundation have created a tangible way to give a heartfelt welcome to each child coming to the UK from Ukraine. Find out more about this project here

Designed to introduce children to their new life in the UK and be a special memento for this defining point of their lives, they have created a welcome book called Hello to help children feel they are not alone in n their brand new environment.

Here in Dorset libraries have received a number of these books which can be accessed through local libraries from Wednesday 8th March.

Libraries in our area of Dorset with the books are:

Gillingham, Shaftesbury, , Sturminster Newton,

Please do encourage Ukrainian guests to collect one of these books for their children at the local library. Libraries are also stocking a number of Ukrainian novels and books across Dorset and this would be a great opportunity to sign up to your nearest library and its online content.