What a wonderful two days these were, despite the flurry of rain showers.

Thanks to the kindness of the show organisers the days were enjoyed by 17 displaced people from Ukraine. This contact with a rural life was both interesting and reassuring for the young and old alike.

The kindness of our North Dorset community is a thing to celebrate.

Each year we hold a public meeting where we can reflect on our work in the previous year and consider the questions and comments of the people who are interested in that work. It’s a chance to look at our finances and see how they might be used in the future.

On Saturday 13th July we travelled as far South as we could to meet friends in Weymouth and visit the wonders of the Jurassic Coast. Hosted by Maryna Dovbysh and carried by Vale Coaches we were blessed with ideal weather and wonderful company.

A joyous day of friendship and community.

Neurographics is an art therapy which a Ukrainian guest recommended for her peers.

We were happy to support a trial and to help people participate in what was a relaxing and enjoyable event at the Friends Meeting House in Shaftesbury .

Ivan Kupalo is a celebration of St John’s Day close to the Summer Solstice. For the first time in Ukraine the day was celebrated in June.

We were delighted to enjoy a peaceful and joyous picnic evening on the 21st, with the traditional wreaths of flowers donated by Sprout and Flower of Mere.

At last The Spring and Countryside Show could go ahead and thankfully under dry skies. Plenty of things to see and to try for the local guests who were invited by the Show Organisers to enjoy the Show.

One of our great pleasures is to run regular quizzes where we can showcase the skill and food culture of our friends from Syria. On June 8th we had another feast of Syrian food provided by The Hammouds’ Kitchen.

Refugee Week was a creative celebration of ‘Our Home’, the spaces and relationships we share, that bring safety, hope, belonging and inspiration to us all and especially the displaced people that we welcome in North Dorset.

The long journey to citizenship has been successfully made by three members of the two families that came to Shaftesbury from Syria in 2017.

The families have been sponsored and supported by Shaftesbury Refugee Group since 2017 and are amongst the first of the 12 families who came in 2017 to gain full citizenship.

On an evening in late May, we celebrated together the importance of the Vyshyvanka as a symbol of an independent Ukraine and its resilient people.

As an important heritage item, rich in meaning the shirt has become an important and meaningful piece of dress for Ukrainians and their hosts..

Rain didn't manage to dampen the spirits of Shaftesbury and its visitors on 5 May for its relaunched Food Feastival. The High Street and Park Walk were full of wonderful smells and delicious flavours as food from near and far was enjoyed by all. We were very lucky to have both Ukrainian and Syrian friends sharing their expertise and exquisite food.

The Hammouds’ Kitchen has a new website which makes it easy to see the menu and order the delicious home cooking.

The Hammouds’ Kitchen is about sharing community and sharing food with Samar and Ammar.

North Dorset Ukrainians shared the joys of the spring festival, ‘Maslenitsa’ and the food, crafts and culture of Ukraine. A delightful, ‘thank you’, to the people of North Dorset for their support.

What a wonderful weekend on 9th and 10th March, with two workshops showcasing the culinary heritage of Ukraine..

Held at Compton McRae, the heart of food culture in North Dorset and South Wiltshire, we had two magical events led by Olya Patiuta and shared with Ukrainian guests, their hosts and friends of our Charity.

24th February 2022 was a tragic day for Ukraine and for Europe.

On this date, our towns showed solidarity with Ukraine as an important act of remembrance for those who have died or been wounded in its defence.

It was a way of showing local Ukrainians that they have a continuing refuge here, with lots of local support.

18 months of additional security for displaced Ukrainian guests.

We work well locally, in our community of support for displaced people. Sometimes we are asked to share what we do with the wider Dorset community, as happened on February 6th 2024.

Some recent awards from generous donors will help us maintain our work for 2024. Thanks to Hall and Woodhouse Community Chest and St James Place Charitable Foundation.

A group of experienced and new hosts met, on Saturday 20th January, with Shaftesbury Refugee Group Trustees to look back over the last 20 months and to the future support that hosts will need.

Thanks to Rachel Sargent , local artist, and her friends for hosting a lino cutting workshop on December 11th. A lovely idea that we hope to repeat in the New Year.