Hosts' Stories

Lyn's Story

When Russia invaded Ukraine in February, I felt shocked that this should be happening in this day and age. Seeing the thousands of mostly women and children pouring over the border made me wonder what would happen to them.

So, when the Homes for Ukraine scheme was announced my first thought was here was something I could do to be of real practical help. We signed up straight away but knew that our village location may present some challenges with access to work, schools and social support. But we took the view that we would work around whatever issues arose.

And that's exactly what has happened. It's now nearly 5 months since I picked up my guest and her 13 year old son from Stansted. If I was nervous, I could barely imagine what it would be like for them. My guest spoke no English at all so we all got very good at using translation apps very quickly! Her son had studied English for 6 years already and our local High School were excellent in getting him started before he'd been here even a week.

Establishing normal routines has really helped. It's not easy fitting into someone else's life, so a welcome pack, with our typical day/weekly activities really helped. Respecting their need for privacy and time alone also helped. They are constantly worried about immediate family still in Ukraine and that stress and anxiety won't end until the war is over and they are reunited.

Our local community support group helped to find my guest work at the local hotel, and to get her son a laptop to help with school work. They both wish to be as independent as possible and there have been times where we have had to reassure them they are not a burden in any sense.

We have tried from the start to treat them as part of the family. We have had days out together, they have been to family parties, and we had great fun raising funds for East Anglia Children's Hospice doing their piglet run. We all went to see the Ukraine Freedom Orchestra at Snape too, proudly wearing our UK/Ukraine t-shirts.

I should also mention the brilliant work done by our dog Ben who has been a much valued icebreaker and confidante to all of us.

All that is really needed to make hosting work is to recognise that whatever differences arise can nearly all be resolved with patience and talking. I know I will never regret opening up my home and feel very privileged to know that we could not provide a better gift to my guests’ husband than providing a safe haven for his wife and son.