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Today a large group from North Birmingham 4 Ukraine joined in the #suttoncoldfieldcommunitygames . It was very sunny and hot but we had our usual gazebos to offer shade.

We all enjoyed a lovely picnic, the children had fun with all the activities, there was lots of time to relax and chat. A perfect day! We were also joined by #AndrewMitchell , #alexyip, #robpocock who expressed their support for Ukraine.

Thank you to our volunteers who helped with setting up and will help to put everything away tomorrow. Many thanks to #suttoncoldfieldcommunity games whose generous welcome and support is always appreciated

This event was made possible by the generous support of Birmingham City Council

What a fabulous way to mark the start of Refugee Week ! Our NB4U social gathering today was fun, with delicious food and great activities. We are always grateful to our brilliant volunteers but this week Kateryna was a super star organising the decorate a gingerbread person and guess the chocolates in a jar competition, thank you so much Kateryna ! Thanks also to people who donated cakes for the event.

We had some exciting challenges like building the highest marshmallow and spaghetti tower , it was very competitive. We were joined today by Helen and Simon from BCC who enjoyed meeting new people as well as connecting with those they have met before.

Thanks to BCC for funding this event #BirminghamCityCouncil , to Bev who did an amazing job organising everything and to everyone who came along. #NB4U@everyone

This event was made possible by the generous support of Birmingham City Council

This year’s Vyshyvanka Day celebration was truly unforgettable! We not only honoured Ukrainian tradition by wearing our colourful embroidered shirts, but also marked the 3rd birthday of our NB4U community.

The celebration took place in the welcoming hall of Sutton Baptist Church – a space we are deeply grateful for, and which has become a much-loved venue for our gatherings.

There was plenty of delicious food to enjoy – hot dogs, ice creams, and a spectacular train-themed birthday cake that delighted children and adults alike.

We were especially thrilled to be joined by Natalie and Bohemia from Birmingham City Council, which brought our total attendance to over 90 people!

A huge thank you goes out to everyone who helped make the event such a success. Special thanks to:
Anastasiia, Nataliia, Tetania, Svitlana, Inna, Anya, Oksana, Ruslan, Alex, Valentyna, Val, Anna & Vladimir, Ludda & Anatolii, the Oliinyk family, Viktor and Viktor… and of course Peter and Sean in the kitchen!

Thanks to your support, the celebration became a true reflection of unity, joy, and love for Ukrainian culture.

We are grateful to everyone who joined us – we look forward to seeing you again soon!

This event was made possible by the generous support of Birmingham City Council

Peppy from Beacon Family Services has put together some helpful information in Ukrainian that shares thoughts and ideas around everyday parenting struggles. These reflections cover a range of topics many families encounter and offer gentle, supportive approaches.

🎒 Managing School Overwhelm

Support your child when school feels like too much. Recognize the signs of overwhelm, allow time for rest, and work together to find strategies that reduce pressure and promote balance.

🖥 Helping Children Transition Away from the Screen

Screens are part of daily life, but transitions can be tricky. Try creating consistent routines, offering interesting alternatives, and engaging in shared activities that help shift focus gradually and respectfully.

🧠 How to Tell if Your Child is Struggling

Look for changes in mood, sleep, appetite, or interest in usual activities. Emotional or physical complaints might be signs your child is having a hard time. Be open to talking and listening without pressure.

🗣 Why Won’t My Child Listen?

Sometimes, what looks like “not listening” is actually overwhelm, frustration, or a need for more connection. Try to understand the emotion behind the behavior and respond with calm curiosity rather than control.

🌿 Low Demand Parenting for Neurodivergent Children

For neurodivergent children, reducing demands during tough times can be a powerful way to support regulation and trust. Respect their pace, prioritize connection, and adjust expectations to meet their needs.

🔗 For information and resources for Ukrainian refugee families in Birmingham, please visit Beacon Family Services website

We hope you find this information helpful.
Peppy and the Beacon Family Services team are here to offer support, ideas, and compassion for your parenting journey.

On Saturday 12 April our NB4U community came together to celebrate Easter. We had a wonderful time enjoying one another’s company. The children took part in Easter craft activities which were great fun. We were also joined by Caste Away who provided an interactive drama workshop.

This is what they said

This was our first workshop that included entire families, and it was a great! We explored experiences of coming to the UK, and we were honoured to have heard these stories. Thank you for trusting us.

We learned valuable lessons from this experience. We discovered more about the community, and they learned that one of our team members is a refugee and that a has visited Ukraine over ten times. We believe it’s essential to establish a connection based on shared experiences to facilitate collaboration and work together effectively. At first, we didn’t reveal our connection to Ukraine; instead, we focused on building trust through creative activities like play, fun and theatre. They had a pleasant surprise, and the world felt slightly smaller.

We thank you for your hospitality and allowing us into your community and safe space. We had a wonderful connection and shared many laughs with all of you.

This event was made possible by the generous support of Birmingham City Council