Inna and her daughter have made many friends in Grimsby but they long to hug family in Ukraine

 

The flags flying aloft Grimsby Town Hall say it all - the support for Ukraine continues

ON  the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, North East Lincolnshire Council has issued the following update on the authority’s continuing commitment to the Ukrainian cause.

Many predicted Ukraine’s capital city, Kyiv, would fall within three days but now the war is entering its third year.

People across North East Lincolnshire have taken the people of Ukraine to their hearts and, under the Local Authority Homes for Ukraine scheme, 112 people have arrived in the borough. 

Of these, 54 are now living in homes sponsored by local people.

Inna Rengach moved here in May 2022 with her now six-year-old daughter, Masha. Her family, including her husband, parents and brother, remain in Ukraine.

Initially hosted by a local family, Inna and Masha now have a home of their own, and Masha is now a Year 2 pupil at a Grimsby school.

Masha has a circle of friends and great support from the school, says her mother. 

She attends drama classes, art studio and is learning to swim, and she dreams of playing the guitar one day.

In September 2022, Inna began her role at NELCl as a refugee integration support officer, liaising with families that have moved to the area from Ukraine. She continues that work today.

In July last year, she became a member of the Ukrainian Advisory Panel, supported by Migration Yorkshire, and is continuing her studies at Franklin College in Health and Social Care. 

"My job is to help people and support them," says Inna. "I don’t want them to feel alone, I want them to feel they have support. 

"I help people to start their new life and improve their language." 

Inna’s family remain in the Ukraine and she speaks to them every day by video call. 

She continues: "I am from the city of Odessa in the south of the country. 

"The lives of the Ukrainian people are divided into ‘before’ and ‘after’ the invasion. 

"I often wish I could spend this day with my family and be able to  be hug all of them."

Inna and her daughter like to cook traditional Ukrainian food, listen to Ukrainian music and read Ukrainian bedtime stories. 

"When global changes occur in life that you cannot influence, it makes you think, and reconsider your attitude towards life," she says.

"Every day I wake up with gratitude in my heart to the Lord and the British people for the fact that I and my daughter have the opportunity to live in safety and enjoy every day, for support and new opportunities.

"I believe in the victory of Ukraine because I know how strong and indestructible the spirit of the Ukrainian people is, as well as the support of Ukraine from many allied countries. 

"Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!"

NELC has arranged for refugees to attend  a performance of Carmen by the Ukrainian National Opera, at Grimsby Auditorium on Tuesday of next week, March 5.

NELC's leader, Cllr Philip Jackson, comments: "As a community we have opened our hearts and homes to the people of the Ukraine and we continue to offer support for as long as they need it.

"We thank those sponsors, past and present, who have opened their homes to Ukrainian people since the scheme started in 2022. 

"Not only have they allowed people into their spaces, but they have also been great support networks, helping people to grow and settle in the UK. 

"I know many have formed great friendships and still see each other day to day."