Future remains uncertain for Ukrainians in county

Many Ukrainians like Svitlana and her children have been here for more than two years

About 11 Ukrainians a month are still seeking safety in Gloucestershire more than two years after the war started.

Council and home office figures show that more than 1,700 Ukrainians have settled in the county since the start of the conflict in 2022.

Many say that they are shocked the conflict has gone on this long and that with no end in sight their future remains uncertain.

Ivan, aged nine, fled his home with his family and said he still wants to go back: "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."

'Driving in the fog'

The government originally granted Ukrainians a three-year visa. These were due to run out for the first arrivals in March 2025 but have been extended by 18 months.

Ivan came to the UK in 2022 with his mum Svitlana and his sister, Yeva, aged five.

They have lived with three host families in Stroud since arriving.

In Ukraine, Svitlana had jobs in English translation services, then marketing, but said she has been unable to find a job in the UK, despite going for many interviews.

"The plan was to come for several months at the beginning of summer and return," she said.

But as the war went on, it seemed less possible to go back.

She added that many Ukrainians feel like they are "driving in the fog" uncertain of where they are going, but knowing there is a reason behind it.

Katia Nesyn has been studying since arriving in the UK

Meanwhile, Katia Nesyn, 19, studies Veterinary Nursing at Hartpury University, and is living with her mum in a host family's house.

But she said going back to Ukraine long term is not something she feels is in her immediate future.

"I like [Gloucestershire]. The nature is very beautiful, the people are very kind friendly, I like this very much," she said.

Work in the community continues in places like Stroud to make sure Ukrainians have access to services and appropriate support.

Anna and Mykhailo Danilchenko have now managed to find a place of their own in the West of England.

They had been forced to leave Kiev under bombardment after waking up to the sound of explosions.

"When I left Ukraine, I thought this story was just for a few months," Anna said.

"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 came to the UK in August 2022 with their 14-year-old son after fleeing Kiev, briefly living in Poland, Spain and France.

Anna and Mykhailo Danilchenko are living in their own home now

Stroud Stands with Ukraine has helped refugees get National Insurance numbers, connect with other refugees and access mental health support.

David Nathan from the group said: "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."

Gloucestershire County Council leader Stephen Davies said about 11 Ukrainians are arriving a month, needing help.

"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 said.

Hosts in Gloucestershire get £600 a month for housing Ukrainians which is partly funded by the UK government and partly funded by Gloucestershire County Council.

But for the Ukrainians living and working in the county, they say that all they can do is watch from afar in the hope they may one day return back home.