The More to Life Benefice in the North Hampshire Downs has been sharing some of the incredible ways they have been supporting the Ukrainian refugees who have joined their community over the past year – with activities ranging from youth trips to English language teaching.
Since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022, the 12 churches that make up the benefice (Odiham, Long Sutton, South Warnborough, Greywell, Newnham, Nately Scures, Up Nately, Mapledurwell, Upton Grey, Tunworth, Herriard and Weston Patrick) have welcomed over 100 refugees, the majority of them being families with children. Because of the significant number of young people, the benefice’s Youth Pastor, Helen Chatfield, stepped forward to lead and coordinate the community’s response, which included seeking funds from local charities OCC and Upton Grey Education Fund.
The youth group has been a key area of focus, with some wonderful activities and trips organized such as a sailing adventure to the Isle of Wight (pictured below). The local youth group is now 50:50 Ukrainian/English children in its makeup, which has been enriching and positive experience for everyone involved.
Helen is regularly invited into the local schools to lead assemblies and will often share content inspired by their Ukrainian friends – for example, a recent assembly at Robert May’s Secondary School involved the help of a video created by two Ukrainian girls in the youth group. The video (below) compares life before and during the war, as well as sharing the refugees’ sense of hope for the future. The students in the assembly were then asked to share their own ‘big questions’ and ‘hopes for tomorrow’.
Coordination with the two secondary schools, three primaries, and two nurseries has been a very intentional part of the plan; Helen brought all the school representatives together right at the beginning of the process to ask “what can we do to make access to schools as seamless as possible for these children”? As a result, the new children were able to start school very quickly, with all the necessary arrangements made around uniform and free school meals. Through charitable funding, there are also two Ukrainian speaking LSAs (Learning Support Assistants) who go into all the schools to support the refugee children.
In addition, as well the many families who are hosting refugees in their homes, many people from the churches have volunteered to help Ukrainian families with challenging administration tasks, such as applying for tax credits. There were also nine retired teachers who came forward, one who was a qualified TEFL teacher, and so the churches were able to offer daily English classes.
However, several of the older refugees in the group – the grandparents who came over with their families – lacked confidence at first to take part. So Helen and the team will soon be launching a special class tailored just for older Ukrainians to build their English skills and create a greater sense of community.
Other events included a special evening just for the Ukrainian women on International Women’s Day which involved food and fellowship, and planned for next month is a Ukrainian themed Eurovision Song Contest event!
Speaking about the experience of working so closely with the Ukrainian refugees and the church communities, Helen Chatfield – who has been invited to the upcoming Coronation concert in recognition of all her work with Ukrainian refugees – said:
“It has been an absolute honour and privilege. I’ve seen just how amazing and resilient and kind these people are and how hard they work for each other too – because they are not relying on handouts but doing everything possible to support one another. Most of them have left close family members, in some cases even sons who had already just turned 18, and come to a place that is so different. Some look at their phone every morning, waiting for a message to confirm their loved ones in the trenches are safe. It’s so humbling. I’ve made friends for life!
“But possibly the most amazing thing is how we, as a church and as a Ukrainian community, have witnessed God’s love and provision first hand. The amount of times I’ve received a plea for help or needed a new host at short notice and been pulling out my hair, wondering how to make it happen, only to receive an email or call out of the blue offering exactly what we needed – or even more.”
