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Rebuilding Lives Together: Refugee Support at the Heart of the Ribble Valley
To acknowledge World Refugee Day, the Community Foundation for Lancashire is highlighting the Clitheroe & Chipping Ukrainian Support Project, a grassroots, volunteer-led initiative that has provided essential emotional and practical support to refugees from Ukraine.
Founded in response to the UK Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme in March 2022. Ribble Valley had no existing refugee support services when families fleeing war began arriving in this rural part of Lancashire. Volunteers stepped in, determined to create a network of safety, dignity, and opportunity for those forced to flee everything they knew.
Thanks to a £10,000 grant from the British Red Cross Refugee Fund, the group has been able to continue its vital work, offering counselling, work experience, and support with everything from housing to healthcare.
A Safe Place to Start Again
The project established a central Hub, a warm, welcoming space where newly arrived Ukrainians could receive consistent support. From school placements to setting up bank accounts, from job searches to accessing Universal Credit, volunteers offered compassionate guidance through every step of resettlement.
Beyond paperwork, the Hub became a social anchor. Pop-up shops provided new and nearly new clothes and toiletries with dignity. English lessons were run not just as language instruction, but as confidence-building, community-focused sessions that included memory games, article discussions, and CV writing.
For many, the Hub was their first real experience of stability since fleeing war. It was where isolation ended, and integration began.
“We came to Lancashire in May 2022 and since then volunteers from the Clitheroe Ukrainian Support Group made us feel welcome and supported every guest arriving to this lovely area. We communicated with native speakers and had language lessons, which were conducted in different ways – from grammar learning to the games when you are training your memory, listening and writing, discussion of newspaper articles and books. We also prepared our CV at these lessons. We had Job Centre staff members, health providers, police people and other people who helped to sort out different questions which adapt while we started our new lives in the UK It felt safe meeting them at the Hub and it was all in one place. I found these meetings very useful and no doubt the lovely and friendly atmosphere helped us to adopt here in this area quicker. Since that time many Ukrainians found a job and we started to meet up not so often, but even so I think when we meet and discuss news and the matters in Ukraine or going somewhere together just to switch from work the HUB is the very good event as for adults and for kids. We appreciate everything our lovely volunteers – angels are doing for us”
One refugee, shared her journey from war-torn Ukraine to rural Lancashire
From Crisis Response to Community Resilience
As the need for immediate crisis response has evolved, so too has the nature of the support. While new guests are now arriving, the project continues to assist families facing hardship. Just last week, volunteers helped kit out a flat with everything but carpets and a cooker for an elderly couple who had fled horrific conditions. This week, they are doing the same for a mother and child moving on from their host family.
At the start of this academic year, the project proudly celebrated a milestone: the first two young people supported by the group gained university places. The Hub was able to provide them with student essentials as they took their next steps towards independence and integration.
From the outset, the project has worked side-by-side with local councils and landlords to ensure housing, education, employment, and emotional support go hand in hand. It’s never been about doing things for people, but with them, upholding dignity, choice, and respect every step of the way.
The Clitheroe & Chipping Ukrainian Support Project is a powerful example of what community can achieve when compassion leads the way. It reminds us that real change starts with people who care, people willing to listen, act, and walk alongside others as they rebuild their lives.
Together, we can ensure every person finds safety, support, and a way forward.