The lights at City Beach and Porters Civic House will turn blue and yellow on Wednesday 24 August when Southend-on-Sea City Council celebrates Ukrainian Independence Day.
Ukrainians across the UK including Ukrainian families and their hosts in Southend will celebrate the important day and highlight the fantastic work the community and sponsors are doing to support displaced Ukrainians.
Cllr Stephen George, leader of the council, said: “The council will celebrate this important day and I encourage the people of Southend to join in with the celebrations to show their support for the people of Ukraine and those living in our city.
“As part of the government’s Home for Ukraine scheme launched in March, the council has helped support almost 50 households across the city to host Ukrainian nationals displaced by the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
“The council has worked closely with homes across the city to house Ukrainian families which included safeguarding checks and providing guidance and support for sponsors and their guests. I am so proud of our city and the communities who reached out to us to offer support for Ukrainian families.”
The council has just been shortlisted for “delivering services for vulnerable people” in the Essex Housing Awards 2022 which includes the council’s resettlement programme for Ukrainian and Afghan refugees.