IT was a time to celebrate Ukranian refugees and the people who welcomed them into their homes in Southend.

Welcome to the UK, a registered charity based in the Victoria Shopping Centre, hosted an event for Ukrainian refugees and their hosts to mark one year of residents hosting refugees in the UK.

Many people in the area have opened their homes to give refuge to complete strangers. A year on, this amazing act of kindness is still ongoing.

Echo: Creative - artist Vladislava Zabielina teaching traditional crafts Creative - artist Vladislava Zabielina teaching traditional crafts (Image: Gaz De Vere)

The charity has been supporting refugees and other migrants since 2014.

For the past year, they have been working closely with Southend City Council and their Resettlement Team to provide individually tailored support to Ukrainians and their hosts.

Southend City Council kindly offered to sponsor the event on Friday April 14, to give thanks to the hosts.

The event took place in The IronWorks in Southend High Street.

Echo: Celebration - Welcome to the UK founder Ilda Stafa on stage with James and Beth Celebration - Welcome to the UK founder Ilda Stafa on stage with James and Beth (Image: Gaz De Vere)

There was an art workshop teaching traditional Ukrainian art which gave children the opportunity to try out the beautiful floral artwork.

Vladislava Zabielina, a young and talented Ukrainian artist, will be hosting two more workshops.

See to the IronWorks Facebook page for more info.