With a backdrop of the Sunflower quilt created to celebrate Ukrainian Independence Day in 2022, Newark and Sherwood District Council hosted an evening of entertainment and food to say thank you to Homes for Ukraine hosts and to bring the families together one year on from the first guests arriving.
As guests arrived at the Town Hall ballroom, they were treated to music from the duo Ethan and Hossein, students from Newark College.
Two of the first guests to arrive were Joyce and Olena. Olena had arrived in Newark last September, having made contact through her brother and family.
Olena explained that she had worked in a shoe factory in Ukraine in a call centre. She was keen to work here too and found a role in a local supermarket in December.
Joyce, from Fernwood, was pleased to host Olena and would recommend hosting to any residents thinking of doing this.
At another table, a mother and daughter spoke about their arrival in April of last year.
It had been a big decision to come to this country for Anastasia, the daughter, who was a student and needed to be able to pick up her studies wherever they settled.
Air raids in their home country had been hard to bear for Anastasia, affecting her mental health and distracting from her studies.
Having engaged with the UK scheme the pair did have concerns, but, having found a sponsor and now being settled, they are happy.
Thanks to their hosts, the pair are now looking to the future. Anastasia is studying maths, biology, and chemistry at A-Level and looking to go to university. At the same time her mum, Tamila, is learning English.
The highlight of the evening was a team of Cossack dancers, who thrilled the room with their bright costumes and display.
Suzanne Shead, director of Housing Health and Wellbeing at the council, said: “I’ll remember the delight on the face of the toddler being chased by her mum round the hall, as she explored her new surroundings, safe, happy and clearly enjoying herself.
“Thank you to all our hosts, they should feel very proud of their contribution to supporting people in very difficult circumstances to feel welcome and safe in our district.”
The evening was arranged, organised, and hosted by the council’s community development team as part of their ongoing support for residents hosting Ukrainian families.