Two of three Ukrainian families ‘feel part of the Bristol community’ following three-year Welcome Hubs initiative
A survey of more than 100 Ukrainian families who have made their homes in Bristol in the past three years, shows two out of three households now ‘feel part of the Bristol community’.
The news comes ahead of Ukraine Independence Day on 24 August, when Bristol will again celebrate the country at City Hall and Bristol Cathedral. Organised by local charity Ukraine Aid and Welcome and hosted by Bristol City Council, the celebration will include traditional music and food and the raising of the Ukrainian flag.
The research was conducted by the Good Faith Partnership, which has helped more than 1,000 Ukrainians integrate into Bristol by coordinating Welcome Hubs across the city since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
In light of the British Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme, the concept of ‘Welcome Hubs’ was developed to provide a wrap-around community response for Ukrainians coming to the UK. The Welcome Hubs are designed to link local, volunteer-led groups to each other as well as to the corresponding Local Authority and the wider VCSE sector.
The Hubs support Ukrainians settling into their new neighbourhood by providing a sense of community, food and resettlement support (such as English lessons) through a regular rhythm of daytime and evening activities in a community space.
The Welcome Hubs have hosted a variety of activities, ranging from coffee mornings, community meals, children’s groups and ESOL classes.
In Bristol, Good Faith Partnership has coordinated the creation of a network of 15 Welcome Hubs for Ukrainian refugees, in partnership with Bristol City Council and churches of various denominations.
The survey of Ukrainian households, conducted in April 2025, shows progress towards positive integration as two out of three Ukrainians surveyed are in work. 57% rate their English as good or excellent. In addition, 72% feel they have access to what they need to maintain their health and 89% of those with children living with them think their children’s educational needs are being met.
However, the Ukrainian cohort also continue to experience key challenges in their life in Bristol. 26% are finding it difficult to find suitable or quality employment, 23% said the cost of living and the cost of housing is a challenge and 15% are experiencing English language barriers. The Welcome Hubs attempt to mitigate these challenges through relevant advice sessions and current attempts to use the hubs to increase the availability of ESOL classes.
The survey also showed that 39% of households would feel part of the community if they had more security over their future; 30% would feel part of the community if they had better English; 20% said they would like more English friends to help them feel part of the community.
Three years into the project, the Welcome Hubs have become a key part of the infrastructure for welcome in Bristol. Almost 80% of Ukrainians surveyed would strongly recommend the Welcome Hubs to friends.
Dan Berlin, Bristol City Council Sanctuary Programme Manager, said, “The value of the Welcome Hubs is to enable [Ukrainians] to progress. When it’s time to move on from the host-guest arrangement, it’s very challenging in the private rental sector. We have support workers within the Bristol Homes for Ukraine team to help people navigate that process… Our philosophy has always been to help Ukrainians become independent in Bristol. And the contribution Ukrainians are making is amazing in the city. I really think that it’s a success story.”
Joseph Davies, Lead Consultant at Good Faith Partnership said: “The Welcome Hubs are a very simple concept, but are effective on a deeply human level. These spaces are run by regular people in the community who have embraced them with open arms. Creating these dedicated places of connection and support, the Ukrainian community has met with supportive locals and other Ukrainians in the same situation. Strong friendships and connections have formed, which have helped many navigate a time of great upheaval and uncertainty over the last three years.”
“We were very pleased to learn that so many Ukrainian families feel a part of the Bristol community. Along with the Welcome Hubs, many local institutions and organisations have played their part in helping this cohort feel this way. From the hosts, Refugee Welcome Homes (who have supported these host arrangements), to the tireless support workers at Bristol City Council, there have been many who have contributed to this strong outcome.”