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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Diane Taylor

‘An incredible miracle’: Ukrainian families find solace in British homes

Rend Platings (right) and her daughter Samantha embrace her Ukrainian best friend Kristina Korniiuk as they are reunited outside her home in Cambridge.
According to government data, 139,200 Ukrainians have been granted visas to come to the UK under the Homes For Ukraine scheme since it opened in March 2022. Photograph: Jacob King/PA

Not all blended families get through the festive period in perfect harmony. But a number of extended units whose members did not even know each other two years ago say they are looking forward to bringing in the new year together.

These blended families are composed of Ukrainians who escaped the war in their home country and Britons who have given them shelter in their homes. While not all the relationships between Ukrainian refugees and their British host families have endured, the scheme has had many successful pairings where those from both countries say they have forged friendships for life and where two families have become one.

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