Sedbergh School has stepped forward with extraordinary generosity and speed to support Brightseeds, a programme delivering life-changing educational experiences for children affected by the war in Ukraine.
Just days before a group of seven Ukrainian children, supported by the Children of Heroes Charity Fund, was due to travel to the UK as part of the Brightseeds Summer 2025 programme, the host school they were scheduled to attend announced it could no longer run its summer school this year. The news arrived a mere 48 hours before the children were to begin their 40-hour journey from Ukraine, after months of effort had gone into securing their visas, travel documentation, and tickets.
With hopes and plans hanging by a thread, Brightseeds launched an urgent appeal to for help through the British Boarding Schools Network. The children, who have lost one or both parents in Russia’s war against Ukraine, were travelling on a fully funded programme, with no additional budget to cover the sudden change in accommodation or tuition.
Sedbergh School answered the call within hours.
“We knew we couldn’t let these children down,” said Kirsten Bentley, Summer School Sales Manager, Sedbergh. “When Brightseeds reached out, our team pulled together immediately to find a solution and we’re honoured to welcome them into our community.”
Sedbergh offered to host all seven children and their group leader, Kateryna Siryak, for the full three-week summer programme, covering accommodation, meals, care, and enrichment activities from start to finish.
“What Sedbergh has done is nothing short of remarkable,” said Valeria Samborska, Brightseeds - Director & Co-Founder. “They didn't just step in, they embraced the situation with empathy, professionalism and a deep sense of mission. These children have endured unimaginable loss. This summer may be one of the few peaceful, joyful experiences they’ve had in years. Sedbergh made it possible.”
David Milner, Director of Marketing and International Relations at Sedbergh School, said:
“We have welcomed Ukrainian pupils to Sedbergh for many years, and when our friends at Business Link and Brightseeds reached out for help, it was immediately clear—guided by our core value of kindness—that we had to act. These children deserved the opportunity to take part in this life-changing programme in a safe, supportive environment, and we simply couldn’t let them down. We are fortunate to have such a strong and compassionate community here at Sedbergh, and I’m incredibly proud of how our team came together so swiftly to make this possible.”
Thanks to Sedbergh, this summer’s story is not one of disappointment, but one of hope, resilience and profound human kindness.
Additional Information:
Brightseeds - is a non-profit organisation with a mission to empower Ukrainian children through global education.
Our mission and purpose: In Ukraine, displacement and death remain daily realities for children: schools have been destroyed by shelling, and living in constant danger is taking a psychological toll. In the UK and Ireland, displaced Ukrainian children are isolated and struggling at a vital time in their development. Insufficient language skills, and close contact with just one parent (often because one remains on the front lines, or has been lost to the conflict) make acclimatising a monumental challenge. Our initiatives, at a glance: Summer Schools: Our project providing free places for Ukrainian children on residential educational programmes in the UK, designed to give Ukrainian students an international education, bolster self-confidence, and offer a glimpse of a brighter future. Together: A collaboration model twinning Ukrainian schools in need with British schools who want to help, designed to promote cultural collaboration and instil a vital sense of community for students. Learning English: Helping Ukrainians of all ages learn English for free, so that they can thrive abroad. Helpline: Providing crucial advice to help foster Ukrainians’ success in the UK. How we started and where we are now: Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, co-founders Valeria and Tetyana Samborska were forced to leave their home; with the help of our third co-founder, Kate Hargreaves, they found safety in the UK, and quickly set about helping other Ukrainians safely relocate and adapt to life in Britain. Today our aim is to continue helping Ukrainians imagine, and then prepare for, a brighter future, reflected in our mission statement: Empowering through education. Rebuilding for tomorrow.
Website - https://www.bhsu.co.uk/