In June 2026, ENACT collaborated with NASCIC’s 50+ Ukrainian community group in Lewisham, London, where five Ukrainian women shared the traditional art of Ukrainian cross‑stitching (vyshyvka) , documenting both the craft and the stories behind it for publication on the ENACT platform.
“It is very important to have such workshops and sessions, not only to show other communities, but to show our people who are here for a long time, and to show their children that these traditions are not lost… And I think that’s what keeps the nation alive.”
Many members of the group are older adults displaced by war who now face long periods of isolation while family members work or attend school. NASCIC’s weekly gatherings offer connection, friendship and meaningful participation, with participants describing the sessions as the highlight of their week. For the women involved, sharing their cross‑stitching traditions represented far more than teaching a practical skill. They reflected on their school years, when embroidery was part of the curriculum and handmade blouses, handbags and dresses shaped social life and conversation among young women.
According to Julia Botan, Community Project Coordinator, opportunities to teach others give older migrants a renewed sense of purpose and belonging. The ENACT workshop underscores the importance of cultural transmission across generations. Julia notes that migration inevitably places traditions at risk, particularly for refugee communities rebuilding their lives in a new country.
“It is important to share the culture and tradition, not only to show other communities who we are, but also to remind ourselves who we are.”