“We aim not only to bring Lithuanians together, but to help them stay proud of their roots and culture,” says Snieguolė Maliavskaja, an active member of the Lithuanian community in Peterborough, Britain.
As Lithuanian communities continue to grow and evolve across the UK, they are no longer just pockets of migration – they are an integral part of modern British society. Whether it’s through cultural events, business networks, or grassroots support groups, the Lithuanian presence in Britain is here to stay – vibrant, proud, and writing its story.
From post-EU migration to folk dancing in church halls and Saturday language schools, Lithuanian life in the UK has quietly taken root. This article explores how a small Baltic nation is building big communities across Britain.
As of 2025, an estimated 182,423 Lithuanians live in the UK, according to UK Office for National Statistics (ONS), marking an increase of 95,730 since 2004. However, with national factors such as Brexit, the numbers have fluctuated. Meanwhile, many Lithuanian communities have formed across the country, especially London.
Maliavskaja chairs SOS.LT, a community group in Peterborough. The town is home to approximately 7,900 Lithuanian migrants living in the UK (2021), though, says Maliavskaja, “I think that our number decreased because, after Brexit, many of our compatriots returned to Lithuania or went to live in another country”. But how did this all begin?
Following Lithuania’s accession to the European Union in 2004, the UK saw a substantial rise in Lithuanian immigration, they now make up 0.3% of the UK’s total population. Lithuanian migrants found employment in Scotland’s mining industry, especially in regions such as North Lanarkshire, Midlothian, and Glasgow, where they have formed strong and sizeable communities.
London is now home to the largest Lithuanian community in the UK – so much so that it’s often said to be the third biggest Lithuanian city. Of the estimated 80,000 Lithuanians residing in London, a substantial share greet from East London, especially the Beckton area which has earned the nickname “Bektoniškės” or “Little Lithuania” for its strong and vibrant Lithuanian community.
However, transitioning hasn’t always been so smooth. Language barriers, underemployment, and post-Brexit uncertainty have created real challenges for many Lithuanian families.
According to a 2021 report by the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford, Eastern European migrants, including Lithuanians, are more likely to be employed in low-skilled or insecure jobs, despite many being highly educated.
Some Lithuanians have set their sights on high finance: the Lithuanian City of London Club (LCLC), “the key networking platform for Lithuanian professionals working in the City of London”, holds 90 active members, 140 alumni and seven honorary members.
But nowhere is the Lithuanian community as visible as in Peterborough. A town of 216,000 is now home to around 8,000 Lithuanians.
The Peterborough Lithuanian Community was originally established in 2014. Maliavskaja, one of its members, founded SOS.LT in 2021 to offer support to community members, including physical activities, mental wellbeing support, and practical help.
“We unite Lithuanians, promote communication, fellowship, cherish traditions and language,” says Maliavskaja.
The Peterborough Lithuanian Community hosts its own Lithuanian-language radio show dedicated to sharing the experiences of Lithuanians living in the UK. Several times a year, all members come together for events – sometimes as a unified group, other times in collaboration with other organisations. “But the bond,” Maliavskaja notes, “is always there.”
“We run projects that involve professionals such as psychotherapists, consultants, and self-development coaches,” Maliavskaja explains. “Several of us are also trained as domestic violence ambassadors, so when people come to us for help, we’re able to offer real, personal support.”
What is the goal of your community?
There are several Lithuanian organisations in Peterborough. Sometimes we work together, other times separately – but the goal is always the same: to unite Lithuanians, encourage fellowship, and celebrate our language and traditions. Each group has its own focus – some organise traditional events, others promote sports, cultural heritage, or provide support with daily life and even domestic violence prevention.
Would you describe your community as more locally focused, or connected with the Lithuanian embassy in London?
Our community is diverse and multifunctional. We aim not only to bring Lithuanians together, but to help them stay proud of their roots and culture. Communication with the embassy is also very important to us. We invite embassy representatives to our events and try to maintain strong ties. I’ve interviewed one of the former ambassadors on my Lithuanian radio show, and we’ve hosted events at the embassy itself several times.
How did Brexit and the Covid pandemic affect your community?
Honestly, both challenges brought us closer. We had to support each other, answer questions, help people with forms and legal documents, or just be there to talk. New friendships were formed, and a stronger sense of solidarity emerged – not only within the Lithuanian community, but with other groups too, including Latvians, Indians, and Pakistanis.
Do you also cooperate with other Lithuanian communities in England?
Yes, we do – and closely. In Peterborough, we have two Lithuanian folk dance groups: the women’s group ‘Raskila’ and the children’s group ‘Lašeliai’. As a community, we travel and take part in events hosted in other towns, and we welcome visitors to our own. National holidays and cultural festivals help build these relationships.
What kinds of events do you organise locally?
We celebrate both Lithuanian and international occasions – Christmas, Easter, Cepelinai Day, February 16 (Independence Day), March 11 (Restoration of Independence), Mother’s Day, Women’s Day, and even Halloween. We also run charity events to support Lithuanians here and back in Lithuania.
What achievement are you most proud of?
Our greatest achievement is that we work together and constantly surprise ourselves with what we can do. Personally, I’m proud of the recognition we’ve received – media coverage, my ongoing Lithuanian radio show Speaking Is Not Silent, now in its fourth year, and being invited to King Charles’ coronation concert as one of Cambridgeshire’s 10 most active volunteers.
Corrected on Aug 6, 2025. An earlier version of the article incorrectly stated that the Peterborough Lithuanian Community has been renamed to SOS.LT. The Peterborough Lithuanian Community (PELB) has been operating under the same name since 2014, organising its activities collectively and steered by a nine-member board responsible for coordinating areas such as events, volunteering, communication, education, member engagement, support initiatives, etc. The community cooperates regularly with Peterborough City Council, the Lithuanian Embassy in London and other communities. SOS.LT is a separate private initiative run by Snieguolė Maliavskaja.
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