Summer Drop-Ins

The much-anticipated summer party on July 31st was a huge success, despite the weather playing spoilsport. The marquee was abuzz with activity, and the array of cakes was a sight to behold. Chris North thoroughly entertained the children, and the Ukrainian Volya Choir’s music added to the festive spirit.

One sentiment that stood out was the deep sense of belonging many felt. As one attendee put it, “This isn’t just a party; it’s a family reunion.”

While it was a day of celebration, it was also a day of goodbyes as we bid farewell to Fern, who has been such an important part of the support we provide – thank you for all your hard work and dedication Fern, you will be missed!

Beyond the summer party, our weekly drop-ins continued at full speed throughout July and August, with each gathering having its own fun features.

At the beginning of July, despite the intermittent rain, the children had a blast playing outside and making slime indoors. 

As the weeks rolled on, art took centre stage. The craft table at the drop-in was bustling, and the diversity of donated materials led to some fabulous creations including some stunning painting-collage combinations.

At the end of July, we welcomed Kateryna Tsarkova, a Ukrainian bandura player, who gave an impromptu recital. We also introduced two new members to our team, Claudie Fleming and James Field, who will be instrumental in supporting our beneficiaries.

We also had visitors from the Community Programme at Pallant House Gallery, who introduced an exciting opportunity for our beneficiaries to be part of an upcoming exhibition – more info on this coming soon…

The packed calendar continued into August, with cultural events and community activities as well as the drop-ins. Highlights included the Ukraine Independence Day celebration hosted by Volya Choir, and enriching discussions at the In Conversation event towards the end of the Resilience in Clay Exhibition at Chichester Cathedral. Additionally, Pallant House Gallery’s creative workshops were a hit, especially those with the theme of crafting 3-D cats, and the ESOL Summer School also saw enthusiastic participation.

A heartfelt thank you goes to everyone who attended, volunteered and contributed to the summer party, drop-ins and other events.