Article: published on 28 November 2023

A Ukrainian refugee has been given an award for her translation work.

Khrystyna Demchenko, 35, based in Bristol, received the Workers' Educational Association (WEA) Academic Excellence Award at an event on 22 November.

Ms Demchenko came to Britain on the Homes for Ukraine scheme after leaving her home in Kyiv.

She said: "The right to translation should be one of the most important human rights."

Ms Demchenko speaks English, German and Ukrainian fluently so she volunteered for the Respond Crisis Translation charity.

She took part in a 12-week community-interpretation course with WEA before taking on her new role.

Since finishing the course she has been helping Ukrainian and Belarussian refugees.

"I learnt that I shouldn't summarise things, but should translate as accurately as possible - even one word can matter for a doctor or immigration officer," she explained.

The Worker's Educational Association was founded in 1903 and this year marks the 120th anniversary of the organisation.

She was presented the award by Mayor Dan Norris, who heads up the West of England Combined Authority (Weca).

He said: "Khrystyna's story shines a spotlight on the valuable contribution they make each and everyday to our communities and our West of England region."