Struggling Ukrainians being helped to rebuild lives

Igor Gorbatenko (L) and Kateryna Titova (R) have settled in Taunton after fleeing war in Ukraine

Some struggling Ukrainians who have found leaving their families "unbearable" are being supported to rebuild their lives.

Charity Welcome Hubs offers English language lessons and has helped some of the 1,200 refugee Ukrainians who arrived in Somerset to find work since Russian forces invaded their homeland in February 2022.

Kateryna Titova, who is originally from Kyiv but now lives in Taunton, said: "I can't sleep properly through the night. It's an unbearable situation."

She said that her life has been improved by regularly painting and hosting exhibitions which was set up by the hub.

The former drama teacher's mum and brother remained in Ukraine.

"It's very hard," she said. "When I think about it, it feels like a panic attack."

'Very welcoming'

Ms Titova said her host family and the local community in Taunton have been "very welcoming" since she arrived.

At the hub, run by refugee charity CHARIS and supported by Somerset Council, she is taking an intermediate English language class to improve her skills - something she said she will "always be grateful" for.

"It’s very hard to express myself because of my language.

"Now I’m an artist it’s good - I can express myself without words," she said.

'Pick up the pieces'

Igor Gorbatenko fled Kharkiv and embarked on a two-month long journey to the UK, before settling in Taunton.

The former theatre director has also been supported by the hub, where he attends English lessons.

The keen historian and thespian has since secured a voluntary role at Somerset Museum too, thanks to staff at the hub.

“I am very happy. I have very good co-workers and they’re very friendly," he said.

Alex Melbourne, the hub's programme manager, said the charity aims to provide "whatever" people need.

Mr Melbourne said it has been "wonderful" to watch Ms Titova and Mr Gorbatenko settle in Taunton.

"People have opened their hearts all across Somerset to Ukrainians to provide them a home and a little bit of stability while they try and pick up the pieces of their lives and carry on."

Government figures show about180,000 Ukrainian refugees have moved to the UK under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, which was launched when Russian forces invaded their homeland in February 2022.