UK mum shares “emotional” moment she welcomed Ukrainian family into her home
A UK woman has spoken about the “emotional” moment she welcomed a family of Ukrainian refugees into her home under a new, national scheme.
Leah Godsell-Fletcher, her husband and their daughter received Olha Havrilyk and her two daughters at their home in the East Midlands through the new Homes for Ukraine scheme.
Ms Godsell-Fletcher told BBC News they feel like “one extended family” and communicate with each other using Google Translate.
“It isn’t perfect but it’s been a lifesaver to get our sense of humour,” she said.
Ms Havrilyk said they had seen rockets explode in their neighbourhood in central Ukraine, where her husband has stayed on since he was conscripted.
She said her husband was very worried but felt calmer now that she and their daughters Kateryna, 16, and Dasha, 11, were safe.
Ms Godsell-Fletcher described the moment as “very emotional”.
“They were very happy to be here but obviously very emotional, quite scared coming into somebody else’s house they don’t know,” she said.
“It just feels like we’re one extended family now.”
While many other families who have applied for the scheme are waiting for visas to be approved, Ms Godsall-Fletcher said it felt like she was “actually doing something” to help people in Ukraine who “are really in need”.
“I would like to think if it was me and my daughter, someone would do the same for me,” she said.
Image: BBC News