The purpose of the Russian Culture Association is to help citizens of the former USSR living and working in North East to integrate as fully as possible into British society, in particular getting to know and understand the work ethos, traditions and culture of North East of England.

There are approximately 2,000 Russian speakers living and working in or near the city, many married to British partners. Their children are educated in local schools and are growing up speaking English and, in many cases, Russian.