About | KENT WITH UKRAINE

About Kent With Ukrine

When Russia launched its illegal and savage full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the people of Kent were quick to respond with compassion, action, and generosity. Thousands opened their homes to displaced Ukrainian families, while communities, charities, businesses and individuals mobilised to collect donations, fundraise, and stand in solidarity with Ukraine during its darkest hour.

More than four years on, the commitment of Kent’s people and organisations remains unwavering. Today Kent With Ukraine is working hard to further the relationships between Kent and Ukraine following the historic partnership between Kent and Chernihiv Oblast which was signed in 2024. We further organise and deliver vital humanitarian aid to the Chernihiv region of Ukraine.

Our Foundation

Following his involvement in supporting Ukrainian families resettled in north Kent, Jordan Meade (Kent County Councillor, 2021–2025) made several visits into Ukraine to deliver humanitarian aid, understand the realities on the ground, and build relationships that could lead to long-term cooperation. During repeated visits to Chernihiv Region, an area in northeast Ukraine that suffered heavily under Russian occupation, Jordan was struck by the resilience of its people and by its surprising similarities to Kent in landscape, community spirit, and heritage.

Collecting Aid for Ukraine

Working with Iris and Tom, who are the Landlords of TJ's Pub in Gravesend, Jordan rallied the communities of north-Kent to start collecting aid and soon the function room at TJ's was bursting at the seams with the generosity of local people who donated tons of vital aid that our volunteers then drove out to Ukraine. Our first humanitarian aid mission commenced in 2023 and since then we have been active in transporting lifesaving equipment, educational supplies, medical aid, clothing, humanitarian supplies, walking and mobility aids, books and toys out to Kyiv, Chernihiv and Sumy. We are dedicated to continuing our mission to support the people of Ukraine.

Kent's Partnership With Ukraine

In 2024, after a formal invitation from the Head of the Chernihiv Regional State, Mr Viacheslav Chaus, Jordan brought forward a proposal to Kent County Council to form a long-term partnership with the region. After a deeply moving debate—during which teenager Vladyslav Sadovoi, a refugee who came to Kent via the Homes for Ukraine scheme, addressed councillors about his journey, the motion was passed unanimously in July 2024 and Kent formally commenced a historic relationship with the people in Chernihiv. This was the first region-to-region partnership established between a County in the UK and an Oblast in Ukraine.

Watch the KCC Debate on Ukraine:

Later that year, Jordan returned to Ukraine with the then Leader of Kent County Council, Roger Gough, to formalise the agreement. They paid for the trip themselves, and in November 2024, a Memorandum of Understanding between Kent and Chernihiv was signed, marking the beginning of a unique partnership between regions united by shared values, determination, and friendship.

“It was agreed from the outset that no taxpayer money would be used to fund this partnership. Instead, it would grow from the ground up, powered by volunteers, goodwill, and the people of Kent’s unwavering support for Ukraine.” - Cllr Jordan Meade

Today Kent With Ukraine holds a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chernihiv Regional State Administration to carry on this work and to further the strong and indomitable friendship that has been established between the peoples of the Chernihiv region and Kent. We are proud to champion the importance of sub-national diplomacy for the recovery of Ukraine and are proud to support municipalities across the globe in understanding how localism is key to making a difference.

Our Mission Today

Kent With Ukraine was born out of ordinary people wanting to make a difference . We are a volunteer-led humanitarian organisation working to support the people of Ukraine through:

Direct delivery of essential aid to the Chernihiv region and surrounding areas
Supporting town and parish council twinning between Kent and Ukraine
Facilitating school-to-school friendships and learning exchanges
Building cultural and community connections with Ukrainian families in Kent
Undertaking programmes to further the provision of the English language in Chernihiv
Facilitating restoration, reconstruction and development opportunities in Chernihiv
Creating a mechanism for interregional B2B Business Development

What began as a few boxes of donations stored in the function room of TJ’s Pub in Gravesend, thanks to the early efforts of Iris Smith and Thomas O’Keefe has grown into a county-wide relief effort. With the support of a growing network of volunteers, we now collect aid from across Kent and beyond. In proud partnership with Skyford Logistics Ltd we now have dedicated warehousing in Sittingbourne, where all of our aid is sorted, packed and labelled before being transported by our own volunteer drivers on 3,000-mile round trips to Ukraine.

Every van is filled with carefully prepared and much-needed items, ranging from children’s toys and school supplies to medical kits, highly specialist medical and rescue equipment, rehabilitation and mobility aids, clothing, and sanitary items. Every journey we undertake ensures that Kent’s support reaches those who need it most on the ground.

Friendships that will last for generations to come

Our work goes far beyond aid delivery. We are proud to support a growing network of:

Twinning arrangements between Kent’s many municipal authorities such as Parish and Town Councils with local councils in Chernihiv.
Friendship links between Kent schools and Ukrainian schools, giving young people the chance to exchange letters, art and stories.
Cultural events and community support for displaced Ukrainians living here in Kent.
Supporting opportunities for businesses in both region to develop and grow.

These people-to-people connections offer something deeper than material aid. They represent enduring friendship, mutual respect, and the belief that even small communities can make a global difference.

Our founder once said that 'wars are not won in council chambers, but we from this little spot in England have the ability to bring hope, some comfort and the promise of enduring friendship and that is why our work with Chernihiv is so vitally important'.