Ukrainian Hub Cymru Wales Celebrates Grand Relaunch in Cardiff

CARDIFF, 16th October 2025 – The Ukrainian Hub Cymru Wales celebrated its official grand relaunch on Thursday, marking a significant milestone in the deepening partnership between Wales and Ukraine. The event, held at the Hub’s location on St Andrews Crescent in Cardiff, was attended by First Minister of Wales Eluned Morgan, who came to celebrate the organisation’s remarkable growth and its vital role in Welsh community life.

What began in 2022 as a small grassroots initiative collecting humanitarian aid for Ukraine has blossomed into a vibrant community centre offering over 16 hours of regular weekly activities. The Hub now serves as a welcoming space where Ukrainian refugees and Welsh residents come together to learn, share experiences, and celebrate their cultures – a living embodiment of Wales’s commitment as a Nation of Sanctuary.

The relaunch ceremony beautifully showcased this Welsh-Ukrainian connection. First Minister Morgan was greeted with the traditional Ukrainian offering of bread and salt, a powerful symbol of hospitality and welcome. She officially marked the occasion by unveiling a commemorative plaque, recognising the Hub’s evolution from emergency response to thriving community centre.

The event featured moving presentations and performances by members of the refugee community. In a particularly poignant moment, singers in traditional Ukrainian dress performed “Yma o’r Hyd” – the Welsh anthem of resilience – in both Welsh and Ukrainian, powerfully symbolising the unity between the two nations. Children’s dance groups showcased vibrant Ukrainian cultural traditions, their colorful traditional costumes filling the space with joy and energy.

Throughout the event, visitors explored an art exhibition featuring works by Ukrainian artists, displays from the Hub’s extensive Ukrainian library, and a multimedia presentation documenting the organisation’s journey and impact on the community.

Helen McAdie, founder of the Ukrainian Hub Cymru Wales, reflected on the organisation’s remarkable transformation. “This relaunch represents so much more than a new space — it’s a symbol of belonging, resilience, and shared hope,” said Ms. McAdie. “For our Ukrainian community in Wales, the Hub is a lifeline — a place to learn, connect, and heal, while contributing richly to the cultural fabric of Wales.”

She added: “In the spirit of Wales’s Nation of Sanctuary, the Ukrainian Hub Cymru Wales stands as a testament to what can be achieved when compassion, inclusion, and community come together. The Hub not only supports Ukrainians rebuilding their lives but also strengthens the social and cultural bonds that make Wales a place of safety, opportunity, and shared humanity.”

Project leads shared insights into the Hub’s diverse and innovative initiatives, which include the Golden Club for senior refugees, a Career Club supporting employment integration, the Ukrainian Library preserving cultural heritage, children’s holiday programmes, art exhibitions, and traditional dance classes – all designed to foster both cultural preservation and community integration.

First Minister Eluned Morgan praised the Hub and the partnership it represents. “The Ukrainian Hub Cymru Wales exemplifies the very best of our Welsh values of welcome, community and solidarity,” she said. “What started as a grassroots response to crisis has blossomed into something truly remarkable – a vibrant centre where cultures meet, friendships are forged, and our Ukrainian friends can find both sanctuary and the opportunity to contribute their rich heritage to Wales.”

The First Minister continued: “This relaunch is a celebration not just of Ukrainian resilience, but of what we can achieve together when we open our hearts and our communities. It demonstrates the strength of the bond between Wales and Ukraine.”

The event recognised the invaluable support of funders, including The National Lottery, whose backing has made the new Hub possible and enabled its expansion of services. The relaunch was also attended by Mick Antoniw MS, ahead of his next humanitarian aid trip to Ukraine, further underlining the ongoing commitment to supporting Ukraine.

The Ukrainian Hub Cymru Wales continues to serve as a vital resource for the Ukrainian community in Wales, fostering mutual support, cultural exchange, and community integration while strengthening the bond between Wales and Ukraine.