Prenton rugby club becomes hub for Ukrainian community
Prenton RUFC opens its doors as a social hub for Ukrainian refugees.
When Committee member and junior coach for Prenton RUFC Leigh Povall and his wife Terrie offered a home to Mariia, a Ukrainian refugee, they realised that, having lost their community at home, Ukranians here needed to find one. And now, the rugby club has become the hub for that new community.
Povall learned through a social media support group that Ukrainians were arriving in the surrounding area and quickly became aware of the opportunity for Mariia to meet others from her country, make friends and create a safe environment.
Leigh decided to approach Prenton's Committee about the proposal to use the club's facilities to host meetings for the Ukrainian community as a social hub and the club welcomed them with open arms.
“The Prenton club is about much more than rugby," said Povall. "When I approached the Committee, they threw the clubhouse doors open to welcome Ukrainians, and their hosts, every Saturday morning. The first week we had eight Ukranians and a dozen hosts meeting up and now we get up to 30 coming every week. Birkenhead MP Mick Whitley has also been along to meet everyone.
“Because Mariia's family can’t be here and her husband has been seconded by the Army, she is on her own and had nobody to talk to. As Mariia had basic English and our Ukrainian was non-existent, we knew that she would want to meet with others from her country, to speak her native language, share her fears and worries about family left in Ukraine and generally make friends and feel safe in her new environment."
Tea, gardening and maybe tag rugby
There are a range of activities on offer at the weekly sessions from a simple chat over tea and coffee to learning knitting and some new gardening skills thanks to the club's award-winning community garden and nature trail. They have even planted sunflowers and painted the planters in the colours of the Ukrainian flag to remind them of home.
There is even talk of creating a tag rugby team which Mariia says she will get involved so she can keep fit.
The club has also been a great means of support with several donations of clothing and toys for the children given by members of the club.
The meetings have proved to be a great success, so much so that Wirral Council has now asked to signpost Ukrainians to the club, offering out information before refugees arrive in the UK. Leigh has been overjoyed with his decision to welcome Mariia into his family
"I can honestly say it is one of the best decisions I have made in my life," he said. "If anyone is considering doing the same, I would say go for it. I have met so many lovely people I would never have met before and have also made a friend for life in Mariia.
"Thanks to meetings at the club and the welcoming environment, she now has friends across the Wirral. All you need is a building and a kettle to make this happen. Prenton is very much a community club, and these guests are now part of our community."
What the meetings have meant to Mariia
The sessions hosted by the club have allowed Mariia to contact others like her and share her experiences in a welcoming and friendly environment, something she has been immensely grateful for.
"Thanks to these acquaintances, we felt at home," she said. "“They created a homely atmosphere. When I arrived Terrie and Leigh provided me with everything I needed and I found myself in my new family. On the first Saturday after my arrival, they organised a meeting with other Ukrainians at the rugby club in Prenton.
"New people came and we got acquainted, exchanged contacts, talked about our experience in the UK. These meetings introduced people from different parts and cities throughout Ukraine. It helped us to adapt and make friends with each other. And now we can call ourselves the Ukrainian diaspora in the Wirral.
"Thank you to everyone who provided us with this warm family welcome, you are incredible. We will always remember this, and after the end of the war, we welcome everyone to the Ukraine.”
