How are children from Ukraine settling in the UK?

It's thought that more than 11 million people, including at least two million children, have had to leave their homes in Ukraine since Russia invaded the country at the end of February.

Ukrainians have been trying to find safety in neighbouring countries such as Poland and Moldova, as well as travelling further to countries such as Germany and the UK.

The UK Government has promised to give hundreds of thousands of people shelter and support in this country and lots of people have offered Ukrainian refugees a place to stay in their homes, but there's also been criticism that the current rules can make it a long and difficult process for Ukrainians to be allowed to come to the UK.

Jenny travelled to Poland to meet Ukrainian children hoping to come here. She met 15-year-old Polina, her 5-year-old sister, Taisiia, and their mum, Svetlana, who were making the journey here to find a new life.

Polina's story

Polina, her parents, older brother and younger sister left their home in Ukraine not long after the war started and it wasn't an easy decision.

"I woke up at around 5am, we heard explosions - although we couldn't really understand what it was at that point - after several blasts we got ready as quickly as we could," said Polina.

Polina travelled with her family to the city of Lviv, in the west of the country, near to the border with Poland.

But after a few weeks, they felt that the situation had become too dangerous and they needed to move to the safety of Poland.

However, this meant the family had to split up - men between the ages of 18 and 60 were not allowed to leave Ukraine in order to help protect their country.

Polina's father and older brother stayed behind while she travelled to Poland with her mum and sister.

Although Polina felt relieved to be out of Ukraine - she was worried about her future.

She said: "Even yesterday I wanted to come back home but I understand that this is impossible.

"I understand that it will be very complicated to start a new calm life without all of these worries.

"To study normally, to spend time with new friends. It will be very hard for me."

One final journey from Poland to the UK separated Polina and her family from their sponsor, Claire.

Even though they had never met before, Claire offered to share her home with them after the UK Government gave Polina and her family permission to travel and live in England.

"I don't know much about them, but they're amazing people," Polina said.

"They are a family of four and have two amazing cats, who are already waiting for us and everybody will be very happy to meet us."

A new life in the UK

Polina and her sister on the plane from Poland to the UK

Jenny met up with Polina once they'd arrived and settled in Claire's home.

"I really like it here, everything is like in a movie here, like in a fairytale," she said.

Polina says Claire and her family have been very welcoming and have made them feel comfortable in their new home.

"They are so sweet, I like it here a lot. I'm so grateful."

Polina's been keeping in touch with her friends from Ukraine.

"We speak every day, we share our stories and tell each other what's happening."

She's also been speaking to her father and brother in Ukraine every day.

Starting a new school

Polina at her new school

Now that Polina's settling into her new life in the UK, she wants to continue her education.

Jenny caught up with her after her first few days of school.

"My English is a bit better. I felt really scared... but it's better than expected."

"I hope that quite soon I will have friends and we can hang out in my free time."

"The most difficult thing is to communicate with other pupils because of the language barrier, it's difficult for me to find the right words and speak to people but I have to go through it and find friends."

But, Polina also hopes to be able to one day return to Ukraine with her family, when the war ends.

"I will still go back to Ukraine because Ukraine is my homeland.

"It's my country and I love it a lot. The thought of leaving Ukraine forever, I can't do that."