TO MARK the second anniversary of the war in Ukraine, the community group Stroud stands with Ukraine (SSWU) is highlighting the continuing need for support and the desperate need for new hosts/sponsors. 

For many the anniversary is a painful reminder of what many people have had to leave behind, a beloved country, family, friends, homes and jobs.

A huge emotional upheaval to find safety in a different country and try to find a place to stay, work, find a school, still be a parent and function is unimaginable as well as learning a different language. 

Heidi, who lives in Stroud, has been hosting a father and daughter since October. 

She said: “I’ve been hosting a father and daughter from Odessa in the Ukraine since October 2023.

"Their city is currently being shelled nightly and I am so happy to be able to offer them safe and peaceful refuge in Stroud. 

"I initially responded to a Facebook post from Anastasiia saying that she wanted to come to the UK in order to be safe and also to be able to access school and fulfil her dream of going to University and studying to become a film director.

"Anastasiia settled quickly into school (the school has been amazing!) and is studying for 3 A-Levels and hoping to head off to University once she finishes school.

"She is doing so well and has just received her first (glowing!) school report. 

"We enjoy having our evening meals together and some trips such as to some of the local Christmas markets, cinema/theatre and the volunteer-run Welcome Cafe of course!

"We also each have our own space and time to ourselves. 

"I’m pretty sure that our two families will be friends for life following this experience.

"I’d encourage anyone with a spare room to join the scheme and help a person or a family to live in a safe refuge from this horrible war to which we can’t yet foresee an end”.

Anastasiia said: "I was 15 when war started in my country.

"It is impossible to find the right words to describe the feelings that come over you when something like this happens in your life.

"Sometimes war is closer than it seems.

"And when it comes, it begins to seem that this world is unfair and that goodness and good people do not exist. 

"However, something happened last October that brought back hope that no matter how much it hurts, chance, hope and good people still exist.

"A wonderful woman who lived thousands of kilometres away from me wrote to me on Facebook.

"To help and give hope for a future that was taken away by the war.

"During this time in England, I met a lot of good people who sympathised and helped me all this time. When you move to another country, you often feel like a stranger.

"You don’t speak much because you don’t yet know the language perfectly and are afraid of seeming rude or being misunderstood.

"But it's people like my host Heidi, her wonderful family, Tony and my teachers who help me feel a little more at ease. I am 17 now and I am very happy and grateful to study and live in England, safe and in a home with very good people."

Stroud stands with Ukraine (SSWU) is still looking for people who can sponsor a single Ukrainian or Ukrainian family desperate to flee the war.

Contact -  team@stroudukraine.org.uk