Two years since the invasion of Ukraine, now is the time to 'renew that kindness in our communities'

A Senior Lecturer from Essex is speaking out as today marks two years since the invasion of Ukraine.

Dr Poppy Gibson works at Anglia Ruskin University, and lives with her family in Benfleet,

She opened up her home to Yulia and her son Daniil, who was six when they arrived after fleeing Ukraine.

With her own family, Dr Gibson and her children witnessed the barriers preventing them from fully understanding how Yulia and Daniil were feeling, so together, they wrote a book, to help educators across the globe and children they're teaching understand more.

Dr Gibson told Greatest Hits Radio, "I think we can't understand exactly what the refugees were going through. And when Yulia and Daniil arrived, although my children welcomed them with open arms, they, of course, couldn't understand what Daniil was going through.

"And so when I spoke to Yulia, I said maybe there's a way we can help tell this story to empower teachers to understand how to facilitate those compassionate conversations."

The non-profit book was created, with illustration's by Terry Culkin, which led to strong responses from educators and teachers in Dr Gibson's network, about enabling empathetic activities, as well a open, inclusive discussions around refugees.

"If you have the space in your life and in your heart to support someone, then definitely reach out and try to see what you can do."

Opening her home to Yulia and Daniil was a decision Dr Gibson reflects on with fondness, but now, two years on from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Dr Gibson's encouraging those with the space and those who are considering supporting refugees to take the leap.

"Although obviously government plans are changing for the homes for Ukraine scheme, I think it's important to recognise there are still people that are still looking to leave Ukraine or that have moved over here to England and now, their sponsors are coming to the end of their sponsorship and people may need to move within counties.

"So there are still those opportunities for people here in the UK that do want to support Ukrainian refugees. And I think the main thing is just to get in touch with your Council if that's you, because there are still people that are finding their feet. If you do have that space in your life and in your heart to support someone, then definitely reach out and try to see what you can do."

Since living with Dr Gibson and her family, Yulia and Daniil have now found their own home, with Yulia in employment and Daniil supported in learning at his new school.

Dr Gibson says marking two years since the invasion of Ukraine is a good time to "renew that kindness in our communities" and to still consider the support some refugees may be needing.

"It's amazing to see how two total strangers can just become part of your life and I think it was definitely very scary at the start, particularly because Daniil, the little boy, didn't speak any English and he was coming into my home where I had three children who didn't speak Ukrainian.

"But seeing how children can just bond and play and they were playing Lego and playing PlayStation together and colouring and it just reminds you I think of of what it is to be human about, that compassion and empathy that we need to have.

"And so before we knew it, we were just kind of finding these new routines, these new ways of coexisting together and and kind of making new memories."

"There's a famous saying that the only thing stronger than fear is hope, and I think that's what we wanted to provide"

Reflecting on a time where Yulia went with Dr Gibson to London for a day trip for the first time, she remembers the positivity of the day despite the feelings Julia was undoubtedly still thinking about.

"I think there's a famous saying that the only thing stronger than fear is hope, and I think that's what we wanted to provide for Yulia and Daniil was the thought of hope.

"The thought that things could be better, that thought that they could still enjoy, this new life that they were navigating and what was really special about taking them to London, part of also the reason they chose Essex because how amazingly close you are to London.

"Yulia told me that she grew up in Ukraine and one of her favourite books was a book of London landmarks. So she had grown up looking at all these London landmarks in a picture book.

"And when she came over here and we said, why don't we go into London for the day? She was so excited, so we just we were just tourists for the day we went around, we saw all the things that she'd seen in a picture book, and it it did feel, although tinged with that grief and loss, it did feel really amazing and kind of empowering for her as well that she was now taking control of her life."

Today, February 24, 2024, marks two years since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Events are being held across the country for Ukrainian refugees, living with families or creating their own lives in the UK, as the invasion continues.

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