There are still approximately 5.7 million Ukrainian refugees living around the world following the Russian invasion almost exactly four years ago and, of that huge number, just a few - 90 - are living in Redcar and Cleveland.
The council runs the area’s Homes for Ukraine Scheme, which has been praised after supporting nearly 200 refugees since the outbreak of war.
One of those refugees, Oksana Halchenko, has told of her experiences living as an exile in Redcar and Cleveland (see below).
She was helped by Andrew Parker, an officer in the council’s Housing Team who has taken a leading role in the Homes for Ukraine Scheme.
Andrew explained more about the scheme and how it has worked.
“First of all, we still have people arriving, we had six in December,” said Andrew.
“But, of course, it’s not like the early days when we had more than 200 applying to come and agencies like Refugees at Home worked really hard to find them hosts. In the first year or so, there was also more focus on regular groups and meetings where our guests could meet each other. That still happens, for example, all the local authorities in the Tees Valley organised a really successful Community Together event in Middlesbrough last year, where 600 attended, and another one is planned. It’s not just for Ukrainians but also includes refugees from Afghanistan, Syria and Hong Kong. All the councils in the Tees Valley have worked together really well from the beginning.
“The number of Ukrainians we have at any one time changes, people leave and come back, new people arrive. I’d say there’s somewhere between 85 and 95 on average. About 80 or so have gone back to Ukraine. We’ve found that often it will be to do with a loved one who needs help. Others move to other cities – London in particular is a big attraction. What is pleasing is that we’ve had a number of our younger guests going to university. We’ve got some in Leeds, Loughborough and London universities. The children have played a key role. It has often been the children who pick up the language more quickly and become the ears and voice of their parents.”
Cllr Neil Bendelow, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said:
“I’d like to thank everyone involved in the Homes for Ukraine Scheme. That very much includes the small team at the council who have worked so hard from a standing start when the invasion happened and haven’t stopped. But also, of course, the host families. It’s no small thing to give up your own living space for a complete stranger in need and it is a testimony to their humanity that they did so. I’d also like to praise our Ukrainian guests themselves. They have all gone through a trauma of losing their homes and, I know, are worried every minute of every day about their loved ones. They have become real assets to our community.”