Cambridgeshire has taken in more refugees than any other district in the UK, with South Cambridgeshire alone hosting 953 Ukrainian guests since the Russian invasion began in 2022.
This remarkable effort was highlighted by Cllr Bridget Smith, Leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council, in a speech outside Cambridge’s Senate House on Monday (24 February 2025) to mark the third anniversary of the war.
Cllr Smith expressed pride in the district’s response, noting that 545 residents had opened their homes to Ukrainian refugees. She also praised the dedication of council officers who have worked around the clock to support both guests and hosts.
“It has been a privilege to get to know the guests living in my own village of Gamlingay and to experience their generous hospitality,” she said. “I hope that when you return to your country, you will remember your years in South Cambridgeshire positively. We will certainly remember all of you and thank you for what you have given to us.”
As the conflict continues, Cambridgeshire stands as a beacon of compassion and solidarity, showing the power of community in times of crisis.
