Ground Work

Higham in Kent twins with the Novyi Bilous Community in the Chernihiv region of Ukraine.

Collecting aid from our friends and partners in Maidstone, Kent

Back in January, Cllr Jordan Meade was pleased to visit the Chernihiv Science Lyceum to deliver books that had been donated by the students of Mayfield Grammar School, Kent. At Kent With Ukraine we are thrilled to see that the books are already being enjoyed by the students of the Lyceum! The Headteacher of the Chernihiv Science Lyceum said: ' Teachers and students of the Chernihiv Science Lyceum are extremely grateful for the donated literature from the students of Mayfield

Kent With Ukraine began 2025 the way it intends to continue: with action, determination, and unwavering solidarity with the people of Ukraine. In our first aid mission of the year, our team drove over 3,500 miles across six countries, delivering nearly 12,000 vital items, around 1.5 tonnes of life-saving equipment, medical supplies, warm clothing, and essentials, including toys and support items for orphanages, taking it directly to our friends and partners in Chernihiv Oblas

In November 2024, a significant moment in the story of Kent’s support for Ukraine was reached as the Leader of Kent County Council, Roger Gough, and County Councillor Jordan Meade travelled to the Chernihiv Region, a region that has endured some of the most intense devastation of Russia’s full-scale invasion, to formally sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between our two regions. This was not simply a diplomatic visit. It was the formalisation of something much deeper:

Jordan reflects on his recent visit to Chernihiv... As a guest of the #Chernihiv Regional State Administration, I was privileged to visit the Institute of Agricultural Microbiology and Agro-Industrial Production of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of #Ukraine. Here I was able to meet with scientists of the Institute and officers of the Chernihiv Department of Agro-Industrial Development to discuss the importance of agriculture and scope out potential opportunities fo

Jordan was introduced to the delights of traditional birch tree water by Darka Harnyk , who with the team at Repair Together are doing amazing work rebuilding previously occupied villages in the #Chernihiv region of #Ukraine #SlavaUkraini #RepairTogether #StandWithUkraine

Thanks to the incredible support from the Gravesend community, a large volume of aid has been collected, sorted, and sent to Ukraine. Over the past few months, TJ's Gravesend served as the central hub where tons of essential supplies were received and organized. These donations included clothing for orphans, medical supplies, hygiene kits, and blankets for the frontline. How the Gravesend Community Made a Difference The success of this aid drop shows the power of community ac

On the second anniversary of the outbreak of war in Ukraine, Councillor Jordan Meade revisited Chernihiv in northern Ukraine. During the full-scale invasion, Russia occupied towns and villages across Chernihiv Oblast and laid siege to Chernihiv City. Despite enduring horrific bombardments, relentless artillery shelling, and in far too many cases the butchery and war crimes committed by the Russian military, the determination and strength of the heroic people of Chernihiv stan

Absolutely heartwarming to see how the books collected in Gravesend are bringing smiles to the children of Chernihiv. We look forward to our continued engagement and to visiting you all again soon.

Jordan and Rosemary recently experienced a rare privilege: a private tour of Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv. This visit offered them a unique chance to connect directly with those dedicated to preserving Ukraine’s cultural heritage amid the ongoing war. When Russia claim in their lies cultural superiority over Ukraine, it’s worth remembering this: when the foundation stone of Saint Sophia Cathedral was laid in Kyiv, Moscow did not even exist. It was a swamp. Kyiv, meanwhile,

The Russians destroyed libraries as libraries represent freedom. Freedom of ideas, freedom of reading, of communication and of that unquestionable right to self-education. Libraries also represent the preservation and celebration of culture and national identity through time. Seeing burnt books and bombed-out libraries is a haunting reminder of how precious these freedoms are and why we must do all that we can to support our Ukrainian friends in their hour of need. At Kent Wi

We were incredibly grateful to Chernihiv City Councillor Юлія Дарницька for inviting them to visit Youth Organisation - aWARe Zone at their new youth hub in Chernihiv. During the visit, Jordan, Rosemary, Rob and Tom had the opportunity to hear the struggles and challenges faced by teenagers growing up in the war. But what impressed them the most was hearing about the aspirations of these young people and the incredible work that they are doing now.

As part of their recent travels around Ukraine to learn more about the impact of the war on heritage, culture and religion, Jordan and Rosemary had the incredible privileged of be shown around the immensely beautiful St Andrew's Church in the centre of Kyiv. Constructed in 1747, this rare example of Elizabethan Baroque architecture is situated on the steep hill where St Andrew the Apostle foretold that this sacred spot would be the cradle of Christianity in the Slavic lands.