In February, Lesia Kondratiuk woke early to the sound of fireworks outside her 11th floor apartment in eastern Ukraine and rushed to her window to spot the culprit, but annoyance turned to fear as she realised the loud bangs were missile strikes. Now the 44-year-old says she feels “totally safe” as she settles into her new life in Merseyside.
Coventry City Council spoke to Ukrainian arrival Iryna Izotova, to find out what life was like before the war and how she has settled into the city since arriving in the UK through the Homes for Ukraine Scheme.
Almost 100 visas have been issued for Ukrainians to stay with hosts in Wyre Forest – but a new survey reveals hosts across the country need support from the Government to continue as costs soar.