A Ukrainian refugee who fled the horrors of war with her teenage son has set up a hairdressing business just outside of Glasgow, thanks to the kindness of locals.
Luidmyla 'Luda' Holomovza arrived in Strathaven, South Lanarkshire with her 15-year-old son Vova on April 27 after seeing 'the worst of humanity' in her home city, Lviv.
Soon after the 44-year-old settled in with her host family, she was introduced to their friend, Frances Turner-Traill.
Frances, 57, is an aesthetic nurse practitioner and owns FTT Skin Clinics in Hamilton.
Keen to help Luda get her feet off the ground, Frances offered the hairdresser space in her clinic.
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Luda 'thanks God' for Scottish people who've shown her 'such kindness' amid the trauma her family has endured in Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
She told Glasgow Live: "I was so happy when I was offered space in the clinic. It is so beautiful, Frances' staff are such lovely girls and have been so kind to me.
"They have taken me in as one of their own. My English is not perfect but it is getting better every day. My colleagues and clients are very patient.
"It is important to me that I work and I provide for myself and my son. I am not someone who wants charity. I am someone who wants to work and to pay back to this country that has helped us so much.
"Frances has given me the opportunity to do this and I am very grateful for that."
She added: The people of Lanarkshire have been very kind to us both.
"Strathaven Academy have been very kind and supportive to my son, everyone in Scotland has been very friendly and helpful.
"Coming from a war where we have seen the worst of humanity, it has been heart-warming to see how kind and caring people can be to strangers. We have seen the best of humanity here in Scotland.
"We cannot thank everyone enough for everything that they have done and the kindness that has been shown.
"I want more than anything to go home to my family and live in peace in my own country. Until that can happen I just thank God that the people of Scotland have taken us in and treated us like family. There will always be a little bit of us that is Scottish now."
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The atrocities of war are fresh in Luda's mind as she recalls missiles being fires metres from her home and hiding in basements.
She fears for her husband, Vova and 22-year-old daughter, Vika, who remain in Ukraine as a food supplies manager and junior doctor respectively.
She added: "There are lots of air alarms in our city when we have to shelter in the basements. These take place day and night and can last for hours. There have been missile strikes within two kilometres of our home, it is very frightening.
"My husband, Vova, stayed in Ukraine, he is a regional manager with a French food company and busy keeping food supplies coming into the country. Thankfully we are able to speak via the internet and phone.
"We do not know where Vika will be sent to work, we are waiting to hear. Obviously, this is a very stressful time for us all as she might be sent to the East of Ukraine."
Luda's heartbreaking situation motivated Frances to lend a helping hand.
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The 57-year-old mum-of-three, also from Strathaven, told Glasgow Live: "For someone that has had to flee their country under such devastating circumstances we just want to be able to give them a helping hand for a sense of normality. Whether that be a month or a year Luda is welcome to stay here for as long as she likes.
"Luda fits into FTT perfectly; her work ethic and personality are a wonderful addition to FTT team and we are happy to have been able to help her.
"I spoke to my family and my staff about having Luda host her hairdressing in the clinic which all were very supportive of. She is used to working in prestigious salons in Lviv and was keen to offer her services.
"The quality of her talent is outstanding, her hairdressing skills are fantastic, and she has had many happy customers."
To book an appointment with Luda contact her directly on Instagram.
