It started with a concerned resident in a seaside village in Cumbria, so far away from the horror of war-torn Ukraine.
And yet, in the caring spirit of humanity, so near.
Anna Gorst, 48, decided she’d had enough of what Vladimir Putin was doing thousands of miles away – so posted an appeal on a community Facebook page and persuaded 20 neighbours to take in refugees.
Since April, 28 have arrived in the village – with 48 expected by August. Ranging in age from six months to 83, they have been warmly welcomed in Arnside.
And they have put heartbreak to one side to embrace English village life – taking up cricket, joining the choir and making friends.
One youngster, a 12-year-old girl called Sonya who sang a Ukrainian song at the village’s Jubilee celebrations, has even won a scholarship to a music school near London.
“There’s a lot of musical talent in the group,” says Anna. “We had people playing piano and singing at a barbecue.
“It was the day after bombings in Odesa, where some families are from. There were a lot of tears.”
Caring Anna has matched the Ukrainians with locals, overseen dozens of visa applications and even helped fundraise £3,000 to bring refugees to the UK. The children’s cognitive behavioural therapist says: “I didn’t know what I was getting myself into but it’s been amaz ing.
“Families have integrated, kids are playing, there’s been a lot of laughing and singing – and we’ve cried together as well.”
There are regular get-togethers at Arnside sailing club and some of the refugees have taken jobs in local guest houses and shops.
All new arrivals get a welcome pack created by parish councillor Neil Punnett, which warns them about the siren for incoming tides and of low-flying MoD aircraft, which are quite common in the village. Volunteers unable to host in the village of 2,000 drive guests to the Jobcentre, doctor and banks, while others provide English lessons four times a week.
A local bereavement counsellor has also offered their services for free.
“There are mental health issues,” Anna explains.
“And some not here yet are in active war zones with children.
“There’s a lady from Kharkiv, now in Romania. Her stepdad was killed by a bomb and she messaged to say her mum died in Ukraine. She’s coming here.” Anna signed up to the Homes for Ukraine scheme in March. She contacted several resettlement charities but got no matches so she and pal Rebecca Ladell, 41, approached local householders looking to host.
Anna joined Ukraine Free Accommodation on Facebook and replied to a plea from Katya Sheluntsova. The English teacher, 29, was travelling with mum Kseniia Skakun, 47 and gran Angelina Retunskaia, 83, from Zaporizhia. Anna’s guests arrived on May 7, and Katya and Kseniia are now working in a guesthouse.
Anna said: “It felt like they were family straight away. All sat round the table. Everyone got drunk, everyone cried, everyone laughed. For many, government visas have been very convoluted so we translated the questions on the application and emailed them to each family member.”
Katya, who hopes to teach English here, said: “Anna has been very kind. I cannot imagine how she is helping other families too.”
As of June 28, the Home Office had issued 98,400 Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme visas under Homes for Ukraine. About 44,100 Ukraine Family Scheme visas – for those with relatives here – had also been given.
Refugees get a £200 council subsistence payment while host families can claim £350 a month.
Anna has called on the Government to offer more practical assistance for arrivals, such as supplying communities with interpreters. “There’s so much bureaucracy when they get here, it’s crazy,” she said.
“They have to set up bank accounts, doctors, biometric residence permits, go to the Jobcentre to sign up for Universal Credit …”
Anna praised her partner Tony Henshaw, 54, who has “supported her during all this madness” and told how she hopes Arnside’s efforts will inspire other communities.
She said: “You can do something to help if that’s what you want to do. You just have to make it happen.”
We just can't beet life in this village
Olha Kalashnikova, who escaped Odesa with her nine-year-old son Ivan, has got her host family hooked on borscht.
The English teacher, 36, introduced Ian and Linda Clark to the traditional beetroot soup.
Builder Ian, 61, plays Uno with Ivan every night.
Dental nurse manager Linda, 59, said: “We have four grown-up sons but are still in the family home. It didn’t feel right knowing there were people who could make use of the space.”
Family safe after hiding in basement
Alina Tomashuk, 35, gave birth to son Artem in December, just two months before Russia invaded.
She fled Vinnytsia city with the baby, her son Oleksander, 11, and mum Nataliia Paliienko, 58
– leaving her husband, dad and granddad behind. Alina said: “We were hiding in a basement when there were rockets. We had no choice but to leave.” They travelled via Moldova and are staying with Cathy and Colin Blain, where they spend evenings playing dominoes and cards.
Cathy, 63, said of her bond with Nataliia: “I have told her things I haven’t even told good friends.”
Shop customers help me with language
Larysa Golodane, 46, is working at a local shop and credits customers with helping to improve her English. She travelled to the UK alone, after her daughter and elderly mother chose to stay in their home city of Kyiv.
Larysa is currently staying with Anna’s mum, Pat Gorst, 74 and says she is enjoying the “beautiful nature” in Cumbria.
She and Pat have been gardening together.
Sonya's in tune with English life
Gifted refugee Sonya Petrova, 12, sang in choirs before she and mum Tetania fled Odesa .
They drove through Romania and Germany before arriving in Arnside in April. After impressing at an audition, Sonya has won a place at Purcell School for Young Musicians in Hertfordshire, where she will board until 16.
Sonya is currently staying with Becky Ladell, 41, and her husband Luke, and goes to school with their children Ava, 13 and Euan, 12.
Sonya – also a budding pianist, got free coaching from tutors in Arnside before the audition and has won a place at the National Youth Music Theatre’s summer school. She said: “I like England.”
We speak of all topics but not the war
Natasha Zhmak came to the UK for the sake of sons Vladislav, 16, and four-year-old Andrian.
The 36-year-old fled the city of Uman and has been attending English classes taught by local volunteers Barbara Fairburn, 66, and Jocelyn Pritchard, 60. She said: “This is a peaceful place. We lived in a city with a lot of people, but now we like the quiet.
“All Ukrainians want to be distracted from what is happening. We are learning English and we speak of all other topics except the war.”
Here at last after lengthy wait for Visas
Iryna Dmytriienko’s little girl is enjoying the “peace and quiet” of rural life.
Nine-year-old Victoriia has made friends at the local primary school since she arrived with her mother and grandmother from Lviv on June 14. The family left for Poland on February 26 – two days after Russia invaded Ukraine – but Iryna, 33, told how they spent a further three months waiting for their visas to come through.
Gran Oksana, 59, said: “Missiles hit Lviv after we left. It is good here for Victoriia because she cannot hear the sirens and air defence.”
Arnside locals are crowdfunding to buy supplies for new arrivals. Donate at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/arnside-homes-for-ukraine
