Ukrainian woman living in Norfolk says she "wants to give back"

Nataliya first arrived to Old Hunstanton in February 2022, shortly after Russia's invasion started

Author: Tom ClabonPublished 25th Jun 2023

A Ukrainian woman living in Norfolk has told us that she and her fellow countrymen "want to give back" to the UK, after coming here

Nataliya first arrived to Old Hunstanton in 2022, shortly after Russia's invasion started. She now runs a business selling postcards designed by her son

"We are just like you, we are Europeans"

She told us what local people can do to help:

"If you see somebody, invite them for a cup of tea or a drink, just talk to people. Because we are just like you, we are Europeans and we had a really good life but it's been destroyed by Russia".

"Ukrainians are creative people and we don't just want to use the support that you gave us. Thank you very much, but we want to develop and bring something nice from our culture to yours- to show we are a nation with deep roots"

"Now we are on our first steps"

She told us how our region's 'Strategic Migration Partnership’s Well-being & Work for Refugee Integration project' has helped her:

"Now we are on our first steps, because I now need to do a lot of calculations and compare what's the best quality for us. We create cards for Easter, Christmas and just to say thank you.

"We have now become more independent. I want to pay taxes as well. One day when I get a good income I want to pay back all I've taken from the Government here, to show how grateful I am".

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