We didn’t have much in terms of money, clothes or food when we came to the UK. Everything was new and confusing.
Tetiana fled Ukraine with two young children, arriving in the UK with limited resources and no one to turn to. No family or friends and no safety net. But when she discovered Family Action’s FOOD Club and LifeSkills course, things started to change – Tetiana went from refugee to volunteer at the very same course that helped her find her village.
I’m originally from the Ukraine and I came to the UK three years ago because of the war in my country. I came alone with my two children when my youngest was only one as my husband is a conscripted soldier, and he can’t leave the country – it was a very difficult time.
When I first visited Family Action’s FOOD club shortly after arriving, I was very nervous as I had difficulty understanding English. Everything around me was new and confusing. The FOOD club was very important as we didn’t have much, so it made a big difference.
I met Family Action’s LifeSkills coordinator at the FOOD Club and speaking to her made me realise how much information I needed to adapt to life in the UK. I needed help to find friends, get support and improve my English while continuing to raise my children and look for a job.
I also had to learn to budget, as my husband managed the money up to that point, so I had no idea of how to do it in the UK. It felt like the LifeSkills team pushed me.
The programme was a place where I felt truly supported and where they helped me manage my stress at the time.
I was able to write a CV and practice my interview skills, which led to my getting a job last year working at a UK financial company. I also received a grant which helped me to buy a laptop and pay for a paralegal course. English law is very interesting to me as a Ukrainian Lawyer and I’m hoping that it means I’ll be able to apply for jobs as a legal assistant or legal secretary.
Through LifeSkills I made new friends – people who learned with me and who are also from other countries like Algeria and Turkey. As things improved, I continued to attend the LifeSkills course because I had so many friends there and felt comfortable. Eventually, one of the women running the course asked if I could support them, so now I volunteer too.
I understand how useful it is for someone like me who had no friends, no support, and didn’t know what to do when they first came here.
It’s so difficult in Ukraine. If my husband came to the UK, I would be happier. There is bombing, and no electricity or water, so I’m always grateful and happy that I have these opportunities, and that me and my children can live in peace.
My youngest son wakes up every morning and says, “how happy we are living together”.
