Hadleigh Hosts Ukranians

Seven Ukrainian refugees living with hosts in or near Hadleigh have been given laptops supplied by the town’s Rotary Club.

When they left Ukraine they came with few possessions. But for schoolchildren, and working adults, laptops are an important piece of kit. When Hadleigh Rotary Club approached the community group, Hadleigh Hosts Ukrainians (HHU), to ask how they could help there was a resounding call for laptops. And the Rotarians came up trumps.

They presented the reconditioned computers to the Ukrainians during their English lessons held in Hadleigh St Mary’s Church.

There are now more than 50 Ukrainians living in the Hadleigh area, ranging in age from toddlers to pensioners. Many come with little or no English so the first job for Hadleigh Hosts Ukrainians was to find a way to provide English lessons. Now more than 40 attend classes run by accredited trainers in sessions organised by David Olive and financed by HHU. These evenings have developed into much loved weekly social gatherings hosted by Hadleigh church. Cake, I believe, is involved.

Money for projects like these comes from community help. Layham Community Events Group brought equipment for the Gallows Hill allotment offered free to refugees; Sarah Thompson has raised hundreds of pounds by selling Ukraine t-towels; Patzi Shepperson organised £250 vouchers each from Tesco and Sainsbury’s, donated by GeeWhizz, to finance a group project for Ukrainians currently being researched by Mary Williams. Hadleigh Rotary Club financed workwear as well as providing laptops. Even Music World in Ipswich helped out by donating new strings for a donated guitar and several people have donated bikes to help with travel problems. the list goes on; there’s a wealth of helpers at the English lessons providing refreshments and child care, not to mention the four or five teachers giving their time and expertise for free.

In this way HHU facilitates a large and diverse support network for refugees and their hosts, offering access to expertise in anything from health to education and trauma, all from local volunteers. With links to council refugee groups and national charities it is able to offer advice sessions and pass on information.

Most importantly, HHU brings together help from the community of Hadleigh to those who have sought safety in our town from war-torn Ukraine. They have left husbands, fathers, sons, brothers and grandchildren behind.

Many are now nearing the end of their six-month hosting arrangement and are faced with finding their own accommodation, though many have had little time to prepare financially for such a move. They will be looking for new hosts, or for landlords who might waive heavy rental deposits. Most have found work even though language difficulties and a shortage of public transport have presented challenges.

Some have children at local schools so need to stay in Hadleigh to avoid further disruption.

If you can help in any way, either as a host or helper, with fundraising or accommodation, please contact Hadleigh Hosts Ukrainians on 07711 321907 (Cyndy Hilton) or 07531 921831 (Shauna Bilson)