The stories behind the portraits

Inna’s life in Ukraine was busy and fulfilling. As the head of a VIP centre at a major Kyiv bank, she thrived on helping people and solving complex problems. But when the war began, everything changed, and she was forced to flee. It was scary she said as tanks drove through the area where she lived. Through social media, Inna learned about the "Houses for Ukrainians" program in the UK and found a warm welcome with her hosts, Richard and Caroline.

Inna moved to the UK soon after the war started. Her life in the UK has been a journey of adaptation and resilience. She has found work and to nurture her creative side, she has also pursued floristry, a passion that brings her joy and feeds her soul.

Despite the challenges she has faced, Inna's spirit remains unbroken. Her story is a testament to the human capacity for resilience and the power of kindness in the face of adversity. As she continues to build a new life in the UK, Inna carries with her the memories of her homeland and the hope for a brighter future.

Before the war, Natalia lived in Kyiv, working in international education, where she connected with people from diverse cultures and created opportunities for students. Life was vibrant, filled with sport, yoga, and time with loved ones.

In April 2022, after a challenging journey through Poland, she arrived in the UK. Despite difficulties adjusting, Natalia found support, started a company to help Ukrainians study abroad, and found love, which brought her joy. Yoga remains her anchor as she adapts, always holding Ukraine close to her heart.

Yevheniia's life before the war was filled with youthful optimism and creative aspirations. As a graphic designer in Kyiv, she spent her days exploring the city she loved and dreaming of the future. Her vibrant spirit and passion for her work made her hopeful for what lay ahead.

When the war broke out, Yevheniia made the difficult decision to leave her home and seek refuge in the UK. The journey was arduous, but it offered a glimmer of hope for a new beginning. Despite the challenges of leaving behind her loved ones, she was determined to build a life for herself in her adopted country.

Yevheniia's life in the UK has been a mix of challenges and triumphs. She has managed to find work in her field, and her English language skills have been invaluable. Driven by a desire to help other Ukrainians and maintain her connection to her homeland, she has become involved in the Ukrainian community in the UK.

While she appreciates the support and opportunities she has found in the UK, Yevheniia's heart remains in Ukraine. She visits her family whenever possible.

Before the war, Daria lived in Kyiv, where she had built a successful career in HR, working with well-known individuals and businesses across the CIS region. As a single mother, she was proud to have earned a free education at one of Ukraine’s top universities, which allowed her to provide her daughter with a comfortable life. Together, they traveled, attended cultural events, and Daria was planning to open her own consulting agency and buy a home in Kyiv.

Daria learned about the war while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro—one of the most significant experiences of her life. Back in Kyiv, her daughter was hiding in the subway from the bombings. After evacuating from Ukraine, Daria and her daughter found refuge with a family in Essex in May 2022.

Now, she is focused on rebuilding her life. Daria has started a new business and dedicates herself to helping others stay motivated and work toward her goals, despite the challenges she faces.

Nadiia’s life in Kyiv was very rich with creativity and connections. A professional photographer with experience in modeling, . As a photographer with a background in the modelling, her weekends were filled with historical dance performances, board games with friends, and indulging in the city’s best pastries—simple pleasures that brought her happiness.

When the war began, Nadiia had to make the difficult decision to leave. In March 2022, with her young son and mother, she set off on a difficult journey. Leaving her husband behind at the Ukrainian border was agonising. The promise of safety for her family kept her moving forward. With the support of a sponsor, they crossed the border on foot and eventually made it to the UK.

Adapting to life in the UK brought its own challenges, but Nadiia’s strong English skills and the unwavering support of her sponsors, Angela and Darren, helped her settle and create a new rhythm. Despite missing her husband, she found comfort in connecting with people who shared her passions and renewing her sense of purpose and joy.

Olga is a lecturer, researcher, and entrepreneur. She balances her professional responsibilities with the joys of raising her two daughters and participating in social activities. Her passion for music found expression in her songwriting and music video production.

With the help of a sponsor in Norfolk, Olga and her children arrived in the UK in August 2022. They escaped the war on a minibus provided by the British Volunteer Drivers association. They went through Poland, Germany and France before crossing the English Channel.

She has found a supportive academic community and has been actively involved in community projects, such as "Families Beyond Boundaries" and "Rediscovering Home." Her dedication to her research has led to her becoming a British Academy fellow, a prestigious recognition of her academic contributions.

Despite the challenges of displacement, Olga has managed to maintain her connection to her homeland. She continues to lecture remotely for a Kyiv college and is conducting her own research project focused on Ukrainian families during the war.

Before the war started, Yuliia was dedicated to her work at an aviation production company, dreaming of building her own family and enjoying the simple pleasures of life. When the news of the war broke, Yuliia was stranded abroad at an airport, unable to return home safely. It never occurred to me that I might one day be forced to leave everything behind she says.

The decision to remain abroad was agonising, but it was a choice born out of necessity and a desperate hope for survival. Her journey was filled with uncertainty and fear and she transited via two countries before arriving in the UK. The distance separating her from her loved ones is a constant source of pain, but she finds strength in the knowledge that she can provide more support from afar.

Despite the challenges she faces, Yuliia's spirit remains unbroken. She is proud of her Ukrainian heritage and holds onto the hope of a peaceful and free Ukraine.

Lana worked as a teacher at a private Catholic nursery. A passionate singer, she found fulfilment in her work and community but the war forced her to abandon her plans and flee her home.

In the early days of the war, Lana and her family found themselves isolated in a village, facing shortages of food and supplies. The mounting fear and anxiety drove her to make the difficult decision to evacuate her children to safety.

With the help of a local priest, Lana and her family embarked on a perilous journey to Poland. Their escape was a narrow one, as Russian tanks later attacked the same highway they had traveled. The experience left them deeply grateful for their survival and filled with sorrow for those who were not so fortunate.In Poland, Lana and her family faced new challenges as they navigated the complexities of resettlement. They eventually found their way to the UK through the Home for Ukraine program, where they were warmly welcomed by their British hosts.

Lana joined the Kalina choir, a group of Ukrainian singers who use their voices to cope with the pain of war and support others. Through their music, they have introduced their culture to a wider audience and have become a source of moral support for Ukrainian soldiers.

Yuliia is a creative spirit and finds expression in dance, drawing, organising events, bringing people together and fostering a sense of community. This passion for connection extended to her professional life as a lawyer in Kyiv. She honed her legal skills at Odesa Law Academy and Vilnius University, and then used her expertise to help Ukrainians launch businesses internationally. In March 2022, she was even planning to launch a women's empowerment project alongside a friend, aiming to connect and support women through activities like yoga, talks, and education.

On February 24th, 2022, the world turned upside down. Caught in the chaos and now realising the war had come to Ukraine, she made the agonising decision to flee; first to Lviv, then to Poland, then Vilnius and Sicily where friends offered her accommodation. Through the OpOra platform, she found a wonderful sponsor, a kindred spirit who offered a haven for her and her beloved pets. Arriving in London on April 30th, 2022, Yuliia found a sense of home amidst the displacement.

She continues to work remotely with her Ukrainian team in the international legal consultancy albeit in a new role. Her passion for connecting people remains strong and London’s diverse population, provides the perfect platform for her to share her cultural heritage.

Alina, originally from Izmail in the Odesa region, moved to Odesa to study law and later lived in Kyiv for several years, becoming a qualified attorney in Ukraine. When the war started, she left Ukraine by bus and spent a few months in Istanbul.

Once the UK opened the Homes for Ukraine scheme, her friend helped her apply, and she moved to the UK in April 2022. By August, Alina had found a job in immigration law in London. Over time, she resumed her hobbies, improved her English, and now feels confident in her communication skills. She is working towards confirming her law degree in the UK and feels settled in her new life.

Alina is deeply grateful for the support and opportunities she has received in the UK, as well as for the friends and family who hosted her, helping her feel comfortable in a new country.

Olena's life in Ukraine was surrounded by loved ones and engaged in a fulfilling career and she had a clear vision for her future. However, the war that began in 2014 cast a long shadow, and it was the events of February 2022 that truly altered the course of her life.

Olena's arrival in London in May 2022 marked the beginning of a new chapter. She quickly recognised the opportunity to become an ambassador for Ukraine, spreading awareness about her country's culture and history. She embraced the role with passion, actively engaging with the local Ukrainian community and advocating for support from the British people. In November 2024 she was recognised as a highly commended at the Mayor of London Adult Learning Awards Ceremony 2024 for her work with the Ukrainian Education Hub in the UK.

Despite the physical distance from her homeland, Olena's heart remains deeply rooted in Ukraine. She cherishes the opportunities to return home and visit her loved ones, and she is eternally grateful to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and all those who support their fight for freedom and sovereignty.

Yuliia lived with her husband and their adorable twins in Kiev, planning for a peaceful, happy future. Her team and she were eagerly preparing for a significant project: a parent conference on raising children, which was sadly disrupted by the Russian invasion.

When the full-scale invasion began, Yuliia and her family initially remained in Kyiv for eight days but as Russian troops approached the city, they made the difficult decision to evacuate. Their journey took them to Poland, where they spent the first two months before settling in Brighton in May 2022, under the "Home for Ukrainians" program. Her first year was dedicated to mastering the English language and better integrate into her new community. Her passion for helping others led her to become involved in the Ukrainian community, organising events, children's parties.

Since January 2023, Yuliia has been working with an English training company to provide free financial literacy training for both adults and Ukrainian teenagers.

Larysa's lived in Kyiv before the war. She shared a happy home with her husband and two young children, and they were actively involved in their church community and various charity projects. Their lives were filled with joy and contentment.

The outbreak of war forced Larysa and her family to flee their home. In May 2022, they arrived in the UK under the Homes for Ukraine program. Despite the challenges of starting over in a new country, Larysa's previous degree in English provided her with a valuable asset.

While adjusting to life in the UK was initially difficult, Larysa found solace in the support and compassion she received from the British people. She and her family have settled in Berkshire, where her children attend a local school. Larysa herself has found work in a Ukrainian-owned company and occasionally serves as an interpreter.

Before the war, Liza lived a happy life in Kyiv with her husband and son, working as a child psychologist and running a home organisation business. When the war began, constant air raids and food shortages left her family in fear, and her son struggled to sleep due to the frequent need for shelter. Faced with the agonising decision to leave her mother, who was in the hospital on oxygen, Liza took her son and fled, while her husband and brother stayed behind to care for her mother.

Ten days into the war, Liza and her son made a perilous journey through Poland to Germany, hoping for a quick end to the conflict. Tragically, her mother passed away due to a lack of treatment, and just three weeks later, her husband died from the strain. These losses devastated Liza and her son.

In Germany, they felt isolated living in a hotel. In 2023, a compassionate family in the UK welcomed them into their home, offering support as Liza's son started school. Despite the kindness, Liza struggled to find work due to her limited English and the emotional weight of her grief. Without a job, they eventually had to move into temporary housing provided by the Council.

Now, Liza’s son is in secondary school, and she is slowly rebuilding her life by reviving her home organisation business, finding comfort in a familiar task that offers a sense of normalcy and healing amid her trauma.

Before the war, Olena lived a happy life in Kharkiv, Ukraine, just 30 km from the Russian border. On February 24, 2022, she woke to explosions as Russia bombed her hometown, which was later half-destroyed. After enduring a week of bombings in a basement, Olena fled to Uzhgorod, where she volunteered at a refugee center, helping those who had lost everything.

Realizing the war would last longer than expected, she moved to London on May 29, 2022, through the Homes for Ukraine program. She now lives with a supportive family and is grateful for the help. Though alone in London, with friends scattered across the globe, Olena continues to study, volunteer, and hold hope for a brighter future.

Kateryna and her son lived in Kyiv, enjoying life after the disruptions of COVID and the associated restrictions. They led an active lifestyle, balancing a busy social calendar and after-school activities that included football, music, and gymnastics. Kateryna managed a comfortable event studio and had all she needed close by.

When the war began, they waited and hoped for peace for three months, often living in the basement of their house and searching local supermarkets for essentials. During this time, her son completed his first school year online. With four months left until the new school year, Kateryna faced uncertainty about the reopening of schools and her employment prospects. The family was separated, as her hometown was occupied by Russian forces.

After hearing about the Homes for Ukraine program from colleagues, Kateryna discussed the idea with her family and soon decided to apply. In May 2022, Kateryna and her six-year-old son arrived in the UK, traveling first to Budapest and then flying to London. Their host met them at the airport, marking the beginning of their journey far from home. Initially, Kateryna hoped for a brief stay, expecting an end to the conflict and a return to Kyiv. After a few months in the UK, however, she realized that returning wasn’t an option.

Now, over a year and a half later, Kateryna and her son have moved to rental accommodation in a county closer to London. Kateryna found work as a support officer for other Ukrainians who had arrived under the Home for Ukraine scheme.

Her son, now fluent in English, is thriving in his new school, and they have built a new life together. Though her family remains separated across different countries, Kateryna is grateful they are safe and making the best of their new social life in the UK.

In March 2022, as the war in Ukraine broke out. Anastasiia made the difficult decision to leave her home in Kyiv with her four-year-old son and mother. Before the invasion, life in Ukraine was filled with promises—she enjoyed a career as a project manager in a large advertising agency, balancing her professional ambitions with the joys of raising her son in vibrant Kyiv.

After spending time in Western Ukraine, they arrived in Surrey. With over a decade of project management experience and a strong foundation in English, she quickly adapted to her new environment.

Her initial role, working with a charity to help fellow Ukrainian refugees find employment, marked the beginning of her new journey in the UK. This was both fulfilling and emotionally difficult, as each day was a reminder of the ongoing war and the impact it had on so many families like her own. This work became a meaningful way to give back to the community that had welcomed her and her family. Through determination and resilience, she transitioned into her current role as Career Coordinator at Surrey County Council—a role she is proud to have earned after navigating a rigorous selection process.

For Anastasiia, this new life has come with many challenges, from starting over in a foreign country to rebuilding a sense of stability for her family. Yet, she remains deeply grateful for the opportunity to live in safety and the kindness shown to her by the British people.

Before the war, Tetiana ran a successful beauty salon in Kharkiv, Ukraine. With over 20 years in the beauty industry, she effectively managed the business, growing a loyal client base by exceeding expectations and maintaining high customer retention.

Tetiana left Ukraine in April 2022, staying briefly in Warsaw with her daughters before arriving in the UK. She initially worked in a beauty salon, where interacting with English clients helped her learn the language. After relocating to London, she continued working with a diverse clientele, striving to make everyone feel special.

Now settled in London, Tetiana and her family are embracing new experiences and integrating into the culture. She is still managing her business in Ukraine remotely. She is grateful to the UK for the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally.