This year, we were delighted to share the warmest of St Patrick's Day wishes from our family to yours, and for us to be celebrating the bonds of kinship and friendship together as a community once more.

From our Dementia Centres to our Elders' Club, Ramblers Club to Computer Hubs, we have been making up for lost time with parties filled with light and laughter. It's safe to say we are deeply thankful to now be able to fully embrace the glory and joy of the festivities together.

As a global community, March 17th also marked a very special day for recalling our own migrant history, the recognition of our national identity and independence and our learning along the way. A journey that informs our shared values as citizens at home and abroad.

This St Patrick's Day, our thoughts and those of the community also lay with the people of Ukraine as they protect their homeland, independence and democracy from Russian invasion and occupation.

As an organisation, we stand with our fellow Irish organisations in solidarity with thousands of Ukrainian citizens living in Britain and their friends, families and compatriots living in Ukraine. As citizens of a common European home, we recognise the pivotal moment this represents for Ukraine, its courageous citizens and our continent.

Members of our Birmingham Irish community and friends further afield, we invite you to join us in extending an invitation to the Ukrainian community to walk with, among us and beside us this St Patrick's Day and beyond by donating to:

• Unicef www.unicef.org/ukraine/en/take-action and/or;
• UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) www.unhcr.org/uk
  

These two wonderful charities are working incredibly hard to provide psychosocial care to children who have been traumatised by the conflict, and to work with the authorities, UN and other partners in Ukraine to provide humanitarian assistance wherever possible.

Gabhaimid buíochas leat go mór.

We thank you so much.

Welcome to another Birmingham Irish Association news update

We publish news and project updates keeping you up to date with details regarding our services and events, as well as other local developments and other news that will be of interest to our clients as well as other visitors.