Oksana, her husband and two children came from the Ukraine to Sudbury three years ago through the refugee’s scheme. Number 72 helped with finding sponsors, getting their benefits sorted and we held drop ins at the café so the Ukrainians could meet with each other.

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Oksana says, ‘It’s a new country and everything is different. Our host told us about Number 72 and we came here and they helped us with many things. They treated us like normal people which helped us settle in and now we have many friends.’

 

Oksana wanted to give something back, so she now volunteers in the café, serving tea and coffee. She teaches crochet at our creative sessions – she is a patient and gentle teacher. She also helps translate if Ukrainians drop in to Number 72 for support. ‘I always want to help other people when they need it, it’s important. So now I help here. And those Ukrainians who are still here, we are in touch and I can still help them too. I am trying to learn English at college – I did learn a bit at university in Ukraine but when you don’t use it, you forget! Now I work here as a volunteer, I get to practice my English and become more confident.’

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In the Ukraine, Oksana was a professional interior designer, and she wants to make one of the upstairs rooms here into a wellbeing space for those who find it a bit overwhelming downstairs when we get busy.

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‘It will be somewhere for people to relax and listen to music or talk in private to one of the team if they are in a difficult situation.  It needs to be cleared up then painted with warm colours. I’d like to add some pictures, a lamp that gives warm and soft light, some armchairs and cushions and curtains so people feel comfortable.’