**Refugees Find New Homes in the UK**
A 17-year-old Ukrainian girl, Roxy, is one of over 254,000 refugees who have fled to the UK since Russia’s invasion. She left her war-torn country with her mother and now lives in Leeds.
Roxy’s experience was an “emotional struggle”. She had conflicting feelings about leaving behind everything she knew. “You feel at home, but you never forget you’re a refugee,” she says. Her life is divided into “before and after the war”.
**A New Life in the UK**
Roxy and her mother moved in with Nikki Cohen as part of the government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme. However, adapting to a new life was not easy. Roxy jokes that they thought everyone in the UK sat down with scones and jam every day.
Nikki Cohen opened her home to Roxy and her mother because of her own family history. Her great-grandparents were refugees from Lithuania. “I just felt strongly that if I was in their situation, I’d want people to open their doors,” she says.
**The Heartbreak of War**
For many young Ukrainians, the war has ruined their lives. Ola Kasperovych, 18, had plans to finish school and go to university. Instead, she had to flee with her mother. They lived with hosts Jan and Rob Livesley in Sheffield.
Ola struggled to adjust to life in the UK without speaking English. She felt overwhelmed by studying and exams. But she credits her host family with making her feel at home. “They’re like grandparents,” she says.
**Supporting Refugees**
Angelina, 18, also came to the UK as a refugee. She lost her home in Ukraine and credits her host family for helping her set up a Ukrainian cafe in Sheffield. “We became not just sponsors, but family,” she says.
The government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme has helped many families find new homes. But there are still challenges ahead for refugees like Roxy and Ola.
Read More @ www.bbc.com
