More support for Ukrainian refugees to find homes in North Yorkshire
Many families are hoping to put down roots
We're hearing how Ukrainian refugees are being helped to put down roots and start a more independent life here in North Yorkshire.
Charities say one of the big challenges now is to help find housing for those who've fled.
Svetlana Kucher moved from Kyiv to York soon after the Russian invasion and says she's managed to find a home: "We're renting this small beautiful flat, our landlord is so kind to us and such a beautiful person, and helps us with all questions".
"I'm busy all the time, we need to work, we need to think about something else, not just our terrible situation."
She moved her with 14 year old daughter Sofia who tells us she feels safe in the UK: "I'm in school, I like school and have some friends in there, I have here lots of opportunities to study and to live but also want to come home, of course, but I really like the UK."
"Housing is one of the big challenges"
Rebecca Russell is from the City of Sanctuary charity in York and says helping refugees find housing is one of their big challenges: "I think now that we are really realising that that war is really continuing, and we need to make sure that we can just support that Ukrainian community as much as we can. The sponsors have been amazing but people now want their homes back so we need to sort out housing and jobs."
"A lot of people were in limbo and were waiting, but they now realise that they need to put their roots down here for a long time, and we all just need to be very supportive."