Ukrainians displaced by the war have been helped to learn English and develop new skills thanks to Scotland's oldest ship.
HMS Unicorn, now a museum ship in Dundee, was launched in 1824 and originally designed as a warship.
By the time of her launch though the naval wars against Napoleon had ended and the boat was instead used as a hulk and depot ship.
Today the Unicorn Preservation Society, of which Princess Anne is patron, maintains the ship and the group has been reaching out to Ukrainians displaced by the war, using Scotland’s heritage to help them develop transferable skills including mastering the English language and social integration.
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The Ukrainians Together and Unicorn project received funding from the Museum Galleries Scotland Sustainable Co-Production Fund, to build bridges between local museums and the Ukrainian community. It is part of the work undertaken by social enterprise ‘Bring Together Ltd’, started by Vitalii Diakov and Hanna Dushkova in 2022.
As well as welcoming Ukrainian refugees to explore HMS Unicorn, the society has organised visits to other major heritage sites across Tayside, such as the V&A Museum Dundee, Discovery Point Dundee, Perth Museum and Perth Art Gallery.
The Ukrainians Together and Unicorn project will help the Unicorn Preservation Society to gain insights from the Ukrainians about how they can improve cultural visits for people from the global majority and those with English as a second language.
UK Government statistics from 2024 show that a lower-than-average percentage of people in the Pakistani (16%), black African (25%) and Indian (28%) ethnic groups visited a museum or gallery.
Natalia Kirilyuk, who participated in the Ukrainians Together and Unicorn project said: “I have been in Great Britain since July 2022. I like everything in the UK. Thanks to participation in the project, I had a good time with my child, developing culturally, communicated with Ukrainians, and got to know both Scottish culture and world culture.”
Another participant, Valentyna Bezsonova, said: “The project gave me positive emotions and practical knowledge, as well as an introduction to Dundee’s history and culture. I have been in Scotland since July 2022. I am from Melitopol, a city in the south of Ukraine. I admire Scotland’s culture, architecture, and natural beauty, but most importantly, people are genuine, open and eager to help.”
Museum Director, Matthew Bellhouse Moran, said: “We’re delighted at the success of the Ukrainians Together and Unicorn project, which has really worked for mutual benefit. The feedback from the Ukrainians we have invited on board the ship has been so insightful. It has helped us to understand how we can better reach out to and engage with the global majority or those where their first language may not be English.
“By being able to explore HMS Unicorn and other heritage sites the project has really helped to integrate our Ukrainians into life here in Tayside, by helping them to understand more about our history, and with that, help them to develop transferable skills which will be invaluable as they work to create lives for themselves in Tayside.”
Vitalii Diakov of social enterprise, Bring Together, said: "The story of our relationship with the Unicorn Preservation Society is amazing. Initially we got in touch in July 2023 to ask for a tour of the ship for the peacebuilding summer programme for children.
"The team at the museum were very welcoming and friendly. In December, we met with the museum to discuss what the needs of the community are, and what activities at the museum could help with inclusion and integration. The plan took shape, and we scheduled the first visit for August, which coincided with Ukraine Independence Day.
"Our partnership emphasises the importance of human connections, cultural exchange, and relationship-building between displaced families and local communities.
"The Bring Together project seeks to bring families together, foster communication, and enrich communication to educational programmes and cultural visits.”
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