Ukrainian Youth Group is an informal group for young people aged 11-18 who have recently arrived from Ukraine and are being sponsored locally. The group is run by Louise Jones, who is a trained Primary School teacher and now works on the Health & Wellbeing team for Islington Council, and supported by the St Barnabas team. We have welcomed 50+ young Ukrainians to the group since May 2022 and have a weekly attendance of around 40 young people. 

The group meets on the first and third Wednesday of the month between 6:30 – 8pm at St Barnabas Church for sports, music, art, dance, drama, and other activities chosen by the young people. There is always pizza and usually ice cream, cake or doughnuts! Although the group is run in English, it is welcoming and inclusive of all young people from Ukraine, including those who speak no English. It aims to be a safe space where friendships can be formed and practical support can be sourced. We have placed a number of the young people in schools, colleges and holiday schemes, assisted with college and university applications, and provided bikes and laptops to aid study and independence. 

We are grateful to the huge numbers of people who have financially supported the Ukrainian Youth Group and especially to those who have made the seaside trip on Monday 8th August completely free for our young people. If you might be able to provide sponsorship or other support, or you would like more information about the group, please email Louise on louise.n.jones@hotmail.co.uk