Why PRESS Matters
On 9 April 2026, Defence Secretary John Healey revealed that British and Norwegian forces had spent more than a month tracking three Russian submarines near critical undersea infrastructure in and around UK waters. Among them were specialist vessels designed to survey cables and pipelines in peacetime and, potentially, to sabotage them in conflict. His warning was blunt: “We see your activity” and any damage would bring “serious consequences.”
This is the reality Britain now faces. It is also the reality Ukraine has been resisting for years.
Ukraine is not only defending its own land, people and freedom. It is also defending the democratic values, cultural independence and freedom of expression on which Britain and Europe depend. That is why PRESS was created.
The British Support Ukraine Media Initiative gives Britain’s media, creative and cultural organisations a powerful opportunity to turn shared values into meaningful action. By supporting Ukrainian journalists, filmmakers, photographers, writers, independent content creators and visual artists working under extraordinary pressure, partners can help protect truth, sustain culture and strengthen democratic resilience.
Whether we like it or not, we are now living in a new paradigm. At a moment when freedom, truth and culture are under direct threat, organisations are judged not only by what they produce or earn, but by what they stand for and the impact they have on people and society.
A Meaningful Pathway for Action
PRESS offers a focused, credible and practical route to meaningful Corporate Social Responsibility. It allows organisations to move beyond policy statements and deliver visible, accountable impact.
Partnering with PRESS can strengthen reputation, build trust, engage employees through work with genuine humanitarian and creative purpose, and demonstrate cultural leadership. It can also help attract socially conscious audiences, collaborators and talent, while creating clear, measurable and story-led outcomes.
How PRESS Works
Ukrainian participation is central to PRESS. We listen directly to Ukrainian media producers, writers, artists and other creatives so that their needs help shape our priorities. PRESS exists not to impose solutions, but to provide practical, respectful support shaped by them and delivered effectively by us.
We are building a strong network of Ukrainian organisations and key figures across the media, arts and cultural sectors. Through those relationships, PRESS identifies where support is needed most and connects those needs with British organisations able to help.
That support may include production funding, essential equipment, professional development, publishing, exhibitions, screenings, collaborations, mentorship, training or other practical opportunities. PRESS also aims to increase international visibility for Ukrainian work through its website, blog and gallery, helping important voices and creative projects reach wider audiences.
When a need is identified, PRESS helps shape it into a clear project, approaches suitable British partners, manages communication and delivery, and stays involved until the support has been delivered effectively and transparently.
Call to Action
If you are a British media, creative or cultural organisation or group this is an opportunity to do more than express support. It is a chance to stand visibly for freedom, truth and culture, and to turn solidarity with Ukraine into practical, meaningful action. PRESS is already supporting Ukrainian creative projects and is actively seeking suitable British partners to help bring them to life. We would be very pleased to present these opportunities to your organisation in person and explore how, together, we can build a partnership of real value and lasting impact.