**UK Opens Hearts and Doors to Ukrainian Refugees**
In the face of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the United Kingdom sprang into action to provide a safe haven for those fleeing the war-torn country. Up until December 2024, nearly 220,000 Ukrainians had arrived in the UK through two dedicated schemes, with many settling in London.
One such individual was Igor, a children’s fiction writer from Kyiv who found solace at the Ukrainian Welcome Centre in central London. “Imagine moving to London with one bag and no knowledge of English,” he recalled. “It was incredibly difficult.” However, since finding his way to the centre, Igor has become a volunteer himself, leading sessions for children and organizing “Ukrainian gatherings” where the community comes together to discuss history and culture.
Igor’s experience is far from unique. The Ukrainian Welcome Centre has provided a lifeline for thousands of Ukrainians, offering immediate support as they navigate the complexities of life in the UK. Run entirely by volunteers and supported through donations, the centre has been operational since weeks after the full-scale invasion. From immigration advice to English language classes, the centre has helped its users forge new lives in the UK.
**A Second Home for Refugees**
Inna, another user-turned-volunteer, described her awe at the breadth of support available. “Everything can be resolved,” she said. As a receptionist at the centre, Inna has helped those who arrive feeling lost and confused, just as she once was. Becoming a volunteer has boosted her self-esteem and allowed her to give back to the place that could not have survived without.
Centre co-founder Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski remembered the early hours of 24 February 2022 like it was yesterday morning. “I thought somebody was sending me fake news,” he recalled, before turning on BBC News to see bombs falling on Kyiv. The Ukrainian community gathered at his cathedral, where the idea for the centre was born.
**A Bittersweet Reality**
As the war enters its fourth year, the needs of refugees have changed. Those who once needed urgent help with visas now seek advice on careers and polish their English in advanced classes as their lives in the UK become less temporary. Bishop Kenneth has acknowledged the warm welcome Ukrainians have received from the centre, but notes that many long to return home.
“The longer people remain here,” he said, “it becomes more unlikely that they will be able to go back to Ukraine.” He paints a stark picture of what little is left in eastern Ukraine: schools, houses, hospitals, and infrastructure all badly damaged. “What can they go back to?” he asked.
**A Lasting Legacy**
The Ukrainian Welcome Centre continues to thrive, its doors open wide as it adapts to the changing needs of refugees. As Mr Marchenko noted, nobody anticipated that the centre would still be needed today. He remembered being told in 2022 that the war might end within six months, but unfortunately, this has not been the case.
As the conflict drags on, those at the Ukrainian Welcome Centre continue to put the kettle on and offer a listening ear. The map of Ukraine may shift by the day, but for now, its people find solace in the kindness of strangers across the sea.
