Toby Perkins, MP for Chesterfield and Staveley visited a Chesterfield based Ukrainian social group on Saturday 8th October and met with more than 50 refugees and their host families, who meet each week.

He joined them for a traditional Ukrainian style lunch at Central Methodist Church, Saltergate, prepared by refugees themselves. Toby chatted with them and was keen to hear about the positive work carried out by the volunteers as well as discussing issues and concerns raised by refugees. Toby said:

“It’s great to see that Chesterfield has provided safe refuge. I can’t imagine what it was like for these people to have left their homes in such traumatic circumstances.

It was great to hear how they have been so warmly welcomed, but also concerning to hear that in some cases these host arrangements are soon scheduled to end and there are real concerns about what happens from here. 

I will pursue the issues raised with me.”

The group was established in April, when Links CVS (Chesterfield’s Council for Voluntary Services) invited potential refugee hosts and volunteers to a zoom meeting to discuss a community response to the plight of Ukrainian refugees arriving into the locality.

Ideas discussed included setting up a central Chesterfield hub for the Ukrainians;  a place where they could meet up, make new friends feel supported and share information. Central Methodist Church and members of the Friends’ meeting house both volunteered their halls and within a couple of weeks, the inaugural meeting took place.

Sue Walker of Central Methodist Church recalls the first Saturday,  “We didn’t know if anyone would attend or not, but we were all ready to welcome Ukrainian guests and to show them our support.  Just three families arrived on the first Saturday, whereas we now have up to 70 guests at times. It’s really taken off and it’s wonderful to be part of, knowing that you’ve helped provide some relief to people experiencing such upheaval. Everyone has pulled together to make it a success”.

The group is hosted at Central Methodist Church each Saturday, apart from the first Saturday of the month when its hosted at The Friends’ Meeting House on Ashgate Road. The group provides a light lunch each week along with more practical support, such as help with English lessons, clothing, advice on employment and counselling.

Links CVS works alongside community and voluntary groups across Chesterfield, supporting them with funding advice and applications,  along with governance and policy advice.  They have helped secure funding for the Ukrainian group, which has been used to continue the Saturday group sessions as well as providing days out and coach trips – their first trip was to Derbyshire’s Crich Tramway Museum. Derbyshire Community Transport provided discounted travel for the trip.

Sandra Pink, Advice and Project manager at Links accompanied the Ukrainian’s on the trip to Crich. “Everyone has pulled together in making these trips possible and we are grateful to everyone involved. We know first hand that Chesterfield always comes together in times of need and to help people. One of the ladies who attended the trip to Crich, with her son told me that it just felt good to see him smile again, that sums it up really – it’s about providing a small slice of normality in what are extremely challenging times for Ukrainians. Our next trip is to Creswell Crags during the half term holidays.”

For more information about Links CVS and the services they provide, you can visit their website www.linkscvs.org.uk