Gloucestershire Ukrainians Face Ongoing Uncertainty Amidst Prolonged Conflict

Approximately 11 Ukrainian individuals continue to seek refuge in Gloucestershire each month, over two years since the commencement of the conflict. Data from the council and the Home Office indicates that over 1,700 Ukrainians have established residence in the county since the hostilities began in 2022. Numerous individuals express astonishment at the extended duration of the conflict, noting that with no resolution apparent, their prospects remain unclear. Nine-year-old Ivan, who escaped his home with his family, stated his continued desire to return: “I would like the war to stop so I can come back to Ukraine and visit some of my close relatives like my dad, granny and grandpa.” The government initially issued three-year visas to Ukrainians. While these were set to expire for the initial cohort of arrivals in March 2025, their validity has been prolonged by 18 months. Ivan arrived in the UK in 2022 alongside his mother, Svitlana, and his five-year-old sister, Yeva. Since their arrival, they have resided with three different host families in Stroud. Svitlana previously held positions in English translation services and subsequently in marketing in Ukraine, but reported difficulty securing employment in the UK, even after numerous interviews. “The plan was to come for several months at the beginning of summer and return,” she stated. However, as the conflict persisted, the possibility of returning diminished. She further mentioned that numerous Ukrainians perceive their situation as “driving in the fog,” unsure of their destination yet aware of the underlying purpose. Concurrently, 19-year-old Katia Nesyn is pursuing Veterinary Nursing studies at Hartpury University and resides with her mother in a host family’s residence. Nevertheless, she indicated that a long-term return to Ukraine does not appear to be part of her immediate plans. “I like [Gloucestershire]. The nature is very beautiful, the people are very kind friendly, I like this very much,” she commented. Community efforts persist in areas such as Stroud to ensure Ukrainians can access necessary services and suitable assistance. Anna and Mykhailo Danilchenko have successfully secured their own accommodation in the West of England. They were compelled to depart Kyiv amidst bombardment, having been awakened by the noise of explosions. “When I left Ukraine, I thought this story was just for a few months,” Anna stated. “Mentally it was for me much easier to say to myself ‘come on it’s just a journey, you will come back home quite soon’.” The couple, along with their 14-year-old son, arrived in the UK in August 2022, having previously resided briefly in Poland, Spain, and France after escaping Kyiv. The organization Stroud Stands with Ukraine has assisted refugees in obtaining National Insurance numbers, connecting with fellow refugees, and accessing mental health services. David Nathan, a representative from the group, commented: “The desire amongst nearly all the Ukrainians I know, is to go back and rebuild, but they are also pragmatic.” “They know that is not going to happen in the short term so they have to get on, support their children, and families back in Ukraine.” Stephen Davies, leader of Gloucestershire County Council, reported that approximately 11 Ukrainians arrive monthly, requiring assistance. “The scheme is ongoing and we’re part of the process of checking the homes are suitable, some level of vetting around that and also there’s a thankyou payment for hosts,” he explained. Hosts in Gloucestershire receive £600 monthly for accommodating Ukrainians, a sum partially financed by the UK government and partially by Gloucestershire County Council. However, Ukrainians residing and working in the county express that their only recourse is to observe from a distance, holding onto the hope of eventually returning to their homeland.