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Ukraine: One year on

12 months ago, Russia's invasion of Ukraine sparked off an avalanche of generosity across the country.

Hundreds of people offered support and accommodation across the Diocese of Oxford, and over 80 families matched through the diocesan scheme with Citizens UK are still hosting across Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, housing over 100 Ukrainian guests between them. 

But one year on, thousands of people are still struggling in Ukraine, living every day in fear as they await refuge.

As a diocese, we're committed to finding and supporting new potential hosts through the matching process over the coming months, to try and address the need for housing.

Below, hosts and Ukrainians share their life-changing experiences over the past 12 months. Read on to hear their stories, and find out how to register your interest in hosting at the bottom of the page.


 

Living shelling to shelling

Anastasiia, a 27-year-old living and studying in Kyiv, describes the situation in the Ukrainian capital over the past six months.

"Kyiv lives from shelling to shelling. Since October, everything started to get worse... They started shooting massively every day. When there is no electricity, no water, nothing, you just sit inside."

Anastasiia recently matched with a family in the Diocese of Oxford. With her family needing to keep working in their hometown to protect their pensions, leaving Ukraine is not a decision Anastasiia takes lightly.

"I'm a little bit afraid to be honest... [But] when one missile comes and destroys everything that you have been building for years... Well, people are left without anything."

An active way to help

Sam has been hosting a Ukrainian woman and her son since September. Though living with a young child again has been an adjustment for them, Sam and her family have never regretted their decision to offer their home.

"I think we probably had, like everybody else, a really profound sense of sadness about what was going on in Ukraine, coupled with real helplessness. So it seemed to us the most obvious and active way to help."

Sharing her experience, Sam encourages anyone considering hosting.

"It's not going to be easy all the time - you will feel challenged. But you will also feel enormously rewarded and you will be doing something that will quite literally change somebody else's life. And it's not often we get to do that."

Neighbourhood support

John and his family have been hosting Inna and her children since August. They praised the support they've received from both the diocese and their local authorities in Milton Keynes as they've navigated the bureaucracy of hosting.

The family have enjoyed cooking all together, sharing native recipes and hosting two Christmas celebrations to cover both English and Ukrainian customs. John and his wife Pam, a reverend in the diocese, gave advice for potential hosts:

"I think it's quite important to be relaxed about what's happening, and if there are misunderstandings, it's OK."

John also shared how the experience has helped them get to know their own neighbours.

"[Our neighbours] felt that because we had the family here, they were allowed to help the family through us. And that was brilliant."

An enriching experience

The Bishop of Buckingham and his wife Lucy have been hosting six Ukrainian guests since 2022. Bishop Alan shared his experience of hosting, from the joy of young children in the house to the incredible support shown by local networks and community groups.

"Our guests have now become firm friends, and there's a really excellent community support group around us.

"We're so fortunate to have a house where we were able to do this, and I realise hosting just wouldn't suit everyone, but it's been a really enriching experience for our family and for our guests."

Hear the stories in full

Anastasiia, Sam and John and his family shared more of their stories in these moving interviews. Do have a watch and stay tuned for more.

 

Margarita and her three children moved to the UK after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Speaking to BBC Radio Oxford with an interpreter, Margarita shares her experience of the invasion, moving with her children, and the support she has received from her host family in Oxfordshire:


 

Can you help?

We're looking for hosts across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire to offer accommodation for people still living in Ukraine.

Whether you applied last year or are considering it for the first time, we're here to help you think through whether or not it's right for you. Register your interest and we'll invite you to a webinar in mid-March to get answers to all your burning questions.

Register your interest

There's no commitment at this stage - if you decide it's not right for you, that's understandable. If, however, you think you can move forward, every offer of accommodation will make a huge difference.

If you've got questions, there are resources at oxford.anglican.org/ukraine, and you can also get in touch with Tanya, our Homes for Ukraine support worker.

Page last updated: Thursday 2nd March 2023 2:50 PM
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