Liverpool’s very first Ukrainian community centre is set to open and will be the foundation for a lasting “legacy” in the city.
Prior to February 2022, Liverpool was not home to a large Ukrainian population compared to other major cities across the UK. But following Russia’s full scale invasion of the country and the following Homes for Ukraine settlement scheme, the community has gradually expanded.
Rev. Dr Taras Khomych, originally from the West of Ukraine, has lived in Liverpool for more than a decade and leads his own Ukrainian Catholic congregation at St Sebastian’s church in Fairfield. He is also the chair of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain Liverpool branch and a lecturer at Liverpool Hope University.
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With the group growing in number in recent months, Taras told the ECHO it became apparent they had no space to meet up, communicate in person and carry out events. However with the help of Liverpool businesseman Peter Schriewersmann, originally from Germany, a premises for the city’s first Ukrainian centre was secured and is set to open on Saturday April 29.
Rev. Dr Taras told the ECHO that last year he was approached by Peter, who partly owns an estate agency company, and asked how he could help those fleeing the war in their home country. Taras explained there was no established centre for Ukrainians and after conversations with the 64 Trust a location was found on Laurel Road in Fairfield, just off Edge Lane.
He added that Peter’s news of finding the premises for the project came around the Festival of St Nicholas in the Ukrainian festive calendar, remarking that “in many ways he brought us a gift.” The building is already hosting dance classes, with a range of events now being planned in.
The building was currently vacant when inquiries began. Its new tenants have helped to refurbish a number of its rooms before moving in, according to Peter.
But most importantly the centre can act as the foundation for a growing community that is “dispersed” across different parts of the city region. Taras added: “We needed to have a place to meet. The big help project provides space for [Ukrainian refugees] on a Friday, but we needed a space as an organisation for ourselves. That was important in terms of legacy.”
Noting that the community centre is around the corner from where some will attend services led by Rev. Dr Taras, Peter Schriewersmann said “you could argue that it was meant to be.”
At the start of the full scale invasion Peter helped to donate ambulances to the Polish border with Ukraine. Since then he said he wanted to help the existing community here in Liverpool, with hopes to one day help where he can in the embattled country once Russia’s illegal war is over.
Peter added: At the beginning of the invasion ambulances were needed and we helped with that. What [Ukrainians here] needed now was a space.
“It is the foundation for a growing community. This is the legacy in action.”
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