First Arrivals

Last year in early July we finally met our first Ukrainian guests! This particular family had fled from the occupied Kherson region and had a very challenging route to safety. After having waited for their UK visas for two months, so it was especially thrilling to finally see them. Mariya helped them apply for UK visas and guided them through the entire process (from collecting documents for visas and applying for a passport to buying airplane tickets). Finding them a host family was a whole different story that can be adapted for a film. In the end, the Maliy family were kindly accommodated by their hosts who they instantly found a connection with. Irina, and her kids Daryna and Andriy were later joined by their husband and father Oleh. They now reside in Bradford on Avon, where Daryna and Andriy go to school and Irina and Oleh work. We are glad that their difficult story found a happy end here in Bath Somerset and are very grateful to hosts, visa workers and everyone who helped!