Swindon Borough Council’s Town Twinning Committee heard from four representatives of Swindon Welcomes Ukraine during a recent meeting. The volunteer group has supported hundreds of Ukrainians who settled in the town following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
Viktoriia Zavalniuk, Maryna Petryk, Anastasiia Banatska and Yana Shatokha addressed the committee, explaining why they believe now is the right moment for Swindon to establish a formal link with Ukraine.
Each representative spoke about their arrival in the town, the challenges of building new lives and the community programmes that have developed from their grassroots work. They described English classes, cultural events, social gatherings and one-to-one help that have since formed a support network for mostly mothers and children from Ukraine.
Maryna Petryk offered her reflections, saying:
“When I arrived here, I did not feel alone any more. Swindon truly welcomed us.”
Viktoriia Zavalniuk described how the group found confidence in its new surroundings, saying:
“We arrived with uncertainty, but we our hosts helped us rebuild our confidence and our lives.”
Anastasiia Banatska spoke about the community’s resilience, saying:
“We created a community because we felt it was the right choice. Now it feels strong, organised and full of hope.”
Yana Shatokha highlighted the role of culture, saying:
“Sharing our traditions and our stories has helped us connect even more with British people. A twinning link would deepen that connection.”
Councillors were told that more than five hundred Ukrainians have settled in Swindon since 2022. Swindon Welcomes Ukraine has been central in supporting many of those families as they adapt to life in the town, alongside the council’s Warm Welcome team.
The group put forward two potential partners for a future twinning agreement; Rivne and Kropyvnytskyi. Both towns were described as strong matches for Swindon.
Rivne is a regional centre in western Ukraine known for its civic resilience and active cultural life. Committee members heard that it shares a similar population size with Swindon and has a developing service-based economy. According to the representatives, creative industries and civic organisations could support future exchange projects.
Kropyvnytskyi, in central Ukraine, is recognised for its theatre tradition, advanced manufacturing innovation and modernising civic infrastructure. Councillor Jake Chandler told the meeting that he had previously visited the town and had a positive impression of it, although he did not express a preference between the two options.
Deputy Mayor Councillor Neil Hopkins said the testimonies made the timing feel significant. He said:
“It feels like the right moment to do this. We have a large community here already, they are contributing to the life of the town and they are asking us to build something lasting. A twinning partnership would be a positive step forward.”
A working group will now examine both towns in more detail before making a recommendation to Cabinet. Councillors will then decide whether to pursue a full twinning partnership or a friendship and co-operation agreement.
If approved, the formal signing process and wider community engagement would follow.
Swindon is already twinned with Salzgitter in Germany and Ocotal in Nicaragua. It also has a friendship and co-operation agreement with the Polish city of Toruń, signed in 2003. A Ukrainian partnership would expand Swindon’s international links and reflect the town’s growing Ukrainian community.
The women reported that there are still lots of Ukrainians seeking temporary visas under Homes for Ukraine scheme, as the war in Ukraine continues. Anyone interested in hosting should contact the committee.
