Mission Statement
PRESS mobilises the UK’s media, creative and cultural sectors to protect and empower Ukrainian media producers, including journalists, photographers, videographers, filmmakers, independent content creators, writers and visual artists, through a central online hub and strategic partnerships, PRESS that delivers practical support alongside creative and career development opportunities, ensuring that truthful reporting endures and that momentum towards a dignified and just peace continues to grow.
Guiding Principles
PRESS is built on the belief that Ukrainian media producers and creative practitioners should not only be supported, but help shape the support they receive. Wherever possible, Ukrainians will help set priorities, shape programmes and work with PRESS as collaborators or volunteers in both Britain and Ukraine.
PRESS is committed to developing into a formally registered charitable trust, operating to the highest standards of transparency, accountability and ethical governance.
Partnership Model
We believe lasting, meaningful support is built through partnership. PRESS is designed to mobilise the UK’s media, creative, cultural and technical sectors, turning goodwill into practical action and shared responsibility in support of Ukrainian media producers and artists.
Britain’s creative industries hold exceptional expertise, influence and resources, yet many have never been approached in a focused, informed and practical way. PRESS exists to make that connection.
We identify specific needs, shape them into clearly defined projects and match them with the organisations best placed to help. Each project is structured with clear goals, realistic timelines and outcomes that benefit both the donor partner and the Ukrainian creative receiving support.
PRESS manages every project from beginning to end, keeping administration to a minimum for partners while ensuring support is delivered effectively. Throughout the process, we create opportunities for direct engagement, so partners can see the real impact of their involvement through contact, updates and shared outcomes.
In a crowded charitable landscape, clarity and relevance matter. PRESS offers a streamlined, targeted model that enables organisations to recognise where their strengths align and contribute in ways that are practical, proportionate and consistent with their values and CSR commitments.
If your organisation wants to make a meaningful contribution, PRESS offers a direct and effective way to stand with Ukraine’s creative community.
Our Ethical Standards
PRESS is committed to the core ethical principles widely recognised by reputable media and journalism organisations: accuracy, fairness, independence, transparency, accountability and respect for human dignity.
We believe trust is earned through honesty, care and responsible conduct. In all our publishing, partnerships and public activity, we aim to act with integrity, represent the work and experiences of others truthfully, and avoid distortion, exploitation or misleading information.
We are committed to fairness in the way we work with Ukrainian creatives, media professionals, partner organisations and audiences. We will not allow political pressure, commercial interests or personal gain to compromise our judgement or the credibility of our work.
Because many of the people we support are working in dangerous and sensitive circumstances, we place particular importance on safety, dignity, consent and the careful handling of information. We believe ethical responsibility is not only about what we publish, but also about how we work and how we protect the people who place their trust in us.
At its heart, PRESS exists to support those whose work helps defend truth, preserve cultural memory and uphold democratic values in a time of war. We believe ethical practice is inseparable from meaningful support, and that how we work is as important as what we hope to achieve.
Experience of the Founder
Simon Burton is the founder of PRESS: British Support Ukrainian Media Initiative. He brings more than thirty years of experience across media production, creative leadership and the not-for-profit sector.
Originally trained in fine art, specialising in sculpture and photography, Simon went on to build an extensive career in film, television and digital production. His early work included roles in Australian broadcasting and as a filmmaker and journalist with the Australian Department of Defence. He later worked as a freelance director and producer across commercial communications, broadcast television, fashion and music video production.
In the late 1990s, he founded Ripple Digital Films in Melbourne, one of Australia’s first boutique digital post-production facilities. Under his leadership, the company became highly successful, producing more than seventy music videos as well as television commercials and corporate productions.
In 2015, Simon shifted his focus towards social impact, retraining in nursing and later working in hospitals and the not-for-profit sector. He supported people experiencing homelessness and disadvantage through Sacred Heart Mission, and also volunteered with The Mission to Seafarers, contributing welfare support as well as photography and written content.
Now based in the United Kingdom, Simon combines community-focused work with independent creative practice. His engagement with the Ukrainian community in London directly inspired the creation of PRESS, which brings together his media experience, project leadership and commitment to supporting creatives working in conditions of conflict and social need.
I was recently surprised to be presented by a leader of Support Ukraine / London Euromaidan with a ‘Certificate of Gratitude’ from the Ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom, General Zaluzhnyi. I was and am still shocked that my simple believe in Ukraine’s absolute right to live free from Russia’s disgraceful and barbaric tyranny has been acknowledged. It is truly humbling when I think of the immense suffering Ukrainians endure each day and their extraordinary courage that continues to shine through the darkness of these times. In receiving this honour, I renew my pledge to do whatever I can to support Ukraine not only until this cruel conflict ends, but also in helping this beautiful country rebuild a golden future. SLAVA UKRAINE!
PRESS: First Quarter Review, January–March 2026
Building the Foundations
Since officially commencing on 1 January 2026, PRESS has made strong progress in clarifying its purpose, developing its structure and establishing its public presence. A significant programme of research has been undertaken to understand the media industries in both Ukraine and the UK, and to identify where practical support can be most effective.
This research has informed the creation and refinement of the PRESS business plan, helping to shape a focused and realistic model for supporting Ukrainian media producers.
Research and Future Partnerships
PRESS has begun compiling databases of potential British donor partners across the media, cultural, educational, arts, charitable, non-governmental and government sectors. Alongside this, research has been carried out into Ukrainian media organisations, support networks and expert bodies that may advise, collaborate with or benefit from future PRESS projects.
This work is creating a strong foundation for building practical partnerships between the UK and Ukraine.
Website, Resources and Collaboration
A major achievement of the first quarter has been the creation of the PRESS website. The site brings together resources, information and direct links to organisations already providing support to Ukrainian journalists, filmmakers, photographers, artists and media professionals.
The website also clearly explains how PRESS aims to collaborate with Ukrainian media producers, writers, photographers, filmmakers, artists and other creative professionals by helping to identify the support, resources, contacts and partnerships they may need. Alongside this, it sets out how British donor partners from the media, cultural, educational, arts, charitable and wider public-interest sectors can work with PRESS to create meaningful and rewarding partnerships with Ukrainian media producers.
The website has also begun publishing blog content and has launched its first gallery feature, presenting the work of Ukrainian photographer Yuliana Romaniv.
First Supported Project: Fallen Rhymes
PRESS has also supported its first creative project, Fallen Rhymes, which works with Ukrainian war poets and transforms their words into music. PRESS has helped the project by producing promotional video material, creating a completed music video for one of the poems and songs, and promoting Fallen Rhymes through a dedicated featured project section on the site.
PRESS will now also help Fallen Rhymes identify supporting partners within the British film and digital media industries, with the aim of producing further music videos for songs the project already has ready for release.
Growing Support
Although still in its early stage, PRESS has already received a very positive response from British and Ukrainians. The project has also benefited from voluntary help from individuals in both communities, showing a real willingness to contribute to its development.
This early encouragement gives us confidence that PRESS can build a small, committed team and begin to realise its considerable potential: creating practical links of support between the UK and Ukraine’s media, cultural and creative communities.
