Families across Harrow have been opening their homes to people fleeing the war in Ukraine. Since the Homes for Ukraine scheme launched in March 2022, more than 400 sponsors in the borough have welcomed over 500 people.
On Sunday (24 August), Harrow Council held a special event at VUE Harrow to mark Ukrainian Independence Day. The afternoon brought together Ukrainians, their sponsors and friends to watch the film Mavka: The Forest Song and spend time sharing stories and traditions.
Cllr Janet Mote, Cabinet Member for Community and Culture, said: “What a wonderful event it was to bring together the Ukrainian community and their hosts to celebrate their culture and independence. It was fantastic to see everyone connecting, sharing their traditions, and enjoying the film Mavka: The Forest Song.
“Moments like this remind me why I’m proud to live in such a welcoming borough. Through the Homes for Ukraine programme, we continue to help people feel supported and at home here in Harrow.
“My thanks go to our partners for making this possible, and to VUE for hosting a film that resonates with diverse audiences.”
The council said events like this are one of the ways it supports families settling into life locally. However, more sponsors are still needed to provide safe homes for people seeking refuge.
Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor can email community.development@harrow.gov.uk or visit the government website for more information.
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