Autumn 2025 News
Summer shipments to Ukraine
The regular lists of items sent to Ukraine may seem repetitive. However, as I type the lists this month, I wonder how many warehouses full of donations we have sent over the past few years. It is a testament to Rosie’s initiative, the dedicated work of so many volunteers and the generosity of our donors.
A shipment was dispatched in a Medical Lifelines Ukraine ambulance. It contained 239 trench candles, 2 camouflage nets, duvets, dressings, bandages, pain killers, crutches, blood pressure monitors, women’s and men’s clothing, premature baby knits, children’s clothes, books and toys plus hand tools.
Uniforms are finally changing in hospitals, in large part due to our lobbying of Parliament and the NHS re their supply chain. The Scrubbery was an integral part of this development, so hospitals with surpluses of outdated stock, now contact Rosie and we can take the unwanted uniforms, both new and second-hand, for shipment to Ukraine.
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust had a large quantity of brand- new uniforms which they could no longer use. Bob collected them in two car loads full to the gunwales. Medical Lifelines Ukraine deliver them to the government of Ukraine for distribution locally. This donation included male and female trousers and tunics and a large number of scrubs. In addition, the delivery included resuscitation kits, blood collection tubes, bandages, urine sample tubes, painkillers and sanitary pads.
This September, The Scrubbery had the great joy of hosting six schoolchildren and two teachers from School No. 73 in Lviv, Ukraine, for a week of cultural and educational exchange—and a much-needed respite from the ongoing war in Ukraine. The visit formed part of a school twinning between School 73 and Oasis Academy Putney, a partnership established through Ukrainian MP for Lviv, Natalia Pipa and Rosie Taylor-Davies, Founder of The Scrubbery charity.
How the Visit Began
The idea for the visit arose unexpectedly during an online meeting hosted by Rosie with pupils from both schools. Although she had not planned to lead the call, she stepped in at short notice and joined from the library at Oasis Academy — a space The Scrubbery had established and continues to run on a voluntary basis.
During the conversation, the Ukrainian pupils spoke warmly about their love of learning English as a second language. They explained that English books were hard to access in Ukraine due to their cost, and that they often enjoyed exploring London’s landmarks online. One boy mentioned how much he would love to visit the city in person. Moved by this, Rosie asked the Headteacher of Oasis Academy whether such a visit might be possible. The Headteacher responded positively, and Rosie undertook to organise the trip through The Scrubbery, rallying support from the community and partner organisations
On Saturday 20th September, after a 24-hour journey from Ukraine, necessitated by the lack of direct commercial flights, the weary travellers were met with relief and smiles at Gatwick Airport by Rosie and the Westminster Abbey Choir School minibus, kindly driven by Alex, one of their teachers.
Sunday – London Adventures Begin
The group’s first full day began, as it would every day, but one, during their stay, with breakfast at Rosie’s, before setting out to explore London. From an open-top Tootbus tour through the heart of the city to a picnic lunch and a river cruise to Tower Bridge, the day offered a perfect sampler to London history and culture. After a fascinating tour of Tower Bridge, they returned to Putney by boat and enjoyed a relaxed pizza dinner at Franco Manca.
Monday – A Warm Welcome at Oasis
On Monday activities centred on school life and community connection. The children joined Oasis Academy Putney for a welcome assembly, shared lessons in music, art, and reading, and played board games with their new friends.
Tuesday – Democracy and Heritage
Tuesday brought a visit to the Houses of Parliament, where the group was warmly received by Fleur Anderson MP for a tour including the Elizabeth Chapel. After lunch near Buckingham Palace, the visitors explored Westminster Abbey, visiting the organ loft, triforium, and Abbey Library, before joining pupils from the Westminster Abbey Choir School for a school tour, football on Dean’s Yard, and dinner together.
Wednesday – Science and Friendship
The morning was spent exploring the Science Museum, followed by a relaxed after-school film with pupils at Oasis. The day ended with dinner and games at Rosie’s home — which served throughout the week as a welcoming base where the children could rest, play, and share meals together.
Thursday – A Royal Day Out
A glorious day at Hampton Court Palace offered a taste of royal history. The group enjoyed watching real tennis in the historic courts, picnicking in the gardens, and exploring the palace grounds before returning for a quiet evening and supper at Rosie’s.
Friday – Farewell at Oasis
The Ukrainian pupils joined a day of classroom activities, crafts, and sport before attending a Farewell Assembly at Oasis. During the assembly, The Scrubbery and the sewing club presented a Friendship Quilt, made collaboratively by the school community, for School 73. The day concluded at the Roehampton Club who treated them to dodgeball, cricket, and swimming, followed by dinner. Their generous hospitality was greatly appreciated.
Saturday – London Lights and Treats
Saturday was a day for fun and discovery, with sightseeing and shopping in Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus and Hamleys, followed by a traditional afternoon tea at The Dilly and dinner back at Rosie’s, their London “home from home.”
Sunday – Nature and Reflection
For their final full day, breakfast at the Olympic Studios Bistro was followed by a peaceful visit to the London Wetland Centre. The children enjoyed pond-dipping, otter-feeding, and lunch at the Wetland Café before an afternoon of T-shirt tie-dyeing at Oasis Academy. A final home-cooked dinner at Rosie’s brought the week to a warm close.
Monday – Fond Goodbyes
After breakfast, the group visited Battersea Power Station for one last look at London before departing for Gatwick Airport, once again with transport generously provided by Westminster Abbey Choir School. The farewell was emotional but filled with gratitude and the promise of lasting friendship across borders.
This highly successful visit was made possible through the generosity of collaborations with The Scrubbery, of Roehampton University, Oasis Academy Putney and its Parents, Teachers and Friends Group, Putney Rotary, The Women’s Institute (Putney), Westminster Abbey, Westminster Abbey Choir School, The Houses of Parliament, Hampton Court Palace, Roehampton Parish Trust, the Over 60s Café Roehampton, The Roehampton Club, The London Wetland Centre, The Curtain Tailor, and many dedicated volunteers who gave their time and care.
Together, we have shown what community can achieve — building understanding, friendship, and hope in a week that will be remembered warmly by everyone involved. 🇬🇧🤝🇺🇦
Just as this was about to go to press Rosie noticed a post in her news feed showing Natalia Pipa visiting School 73 and meeting the students who travelled to London. You can see our fabulous friendship quilt as the backdrop in some of the images. Rosie and Scrubbery volunteers gave embroidery lessons to each child in key stage 2 at Oasis Academy Putney and students, staff and volunteers all embroidered their name onto a square which was then assembled into a super-size quilt for hanging at School 73 to remind them that we wish them well and that all these people are thinking of them and sending very best wishes their way.
