Networking MeetUp in Birmingham — The Final Event of 2025

On Sunday, November 30, we held the final Networking MeetUp of the year — and it became a true point of strength for Ukrainian entrepreneurs and professionals developing their careers in the United Kingdom.

Nearly 30 ambitious Ukrainians joined us that day. We were happy to see our regular participants and warmly welcomed new ones — some of whom had arrived in Birmingham just this month. That’s why this event felt especially meaningful: new connections, open conversations, sincere support, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Together with British entrepreneur and top manager of a global IT corporation, Martin Wabara, we explored how to build professional relationships in the UK, the importance of active listening, asking thoughtful questions, finding common ground, and, most importantly, maintaining connections over time.

Once again, we saw how strong our community is. People were finding new partners, discussing collaborations, sharing experiences and making plans. For some, it was their first step in a new country; for others, another level of growth. One of the warmest moments of the evening was a spontaneous prize draw initiated by participants — people who are not only building their own paths in the UK but also sincerely supporting others.

 

We are deeply grateful to:

  • Olha Tyshchenko, a tourism professional and founder of Withustravel — for a £50 discount on any tour;
  • Nataliia Malysh — for a massage treatment of your choice; 
  • Viktoriia Kasap, a founder of Chocokasa — for a sweet gift: a Honey Cake;
  • Lusia Sadova — for a free drawing masterclass;
  • Vadym Martynenko — for wellness massage services.

 

These weren’t just thoughtful surprises — they were real acts of mutual support, genuine engagement, and the willingness to share knowledge and resources with others.

And we realised something important: over this time, our Ukrainian community in Birmingham has not just grown — it has integrated, adapted, and confidently stepped into the British professional environment. 

When we first launched our Kryla Employment and Business Support Program, nearly all our events were held in Ukrainian. We had to translate for guest speakers because English was a significant barrier for many.

But now — this Networking MeetUp was held entirely in English. No translation needed. Our participants confidently presented themselves, pitched their businesses, asked questions freely, shared their experiences, and engaged in meaningful dialogue with our speaker.

We are truly proud of this result. Because we believe: not a single step, meeting, or piece of advice was in vain. This is the result of shared effort, mutual support, and — most importantly — each person’s internal choice: to grow, integrate, and move forward.

And we are confident: this is just the beginning of a great success story.