As we all know, the current situation in Ukraine threatens the lives of millions, forcing many to be displaced by the conflict. Since the Russian invasion in February 2022, we have seen many governments, individuals, and organisations around the world, come together to support Ukrainians in any way they can. According to a United Nations report 11 million people have left their homes, either for other countries or other parts of Ukraine.
In March, the UK Government launched the ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme. The scheme allows communities, local authorities or private individuals to sponsor people to come to the UK from Ukraine.
Lisa Anderson, one of our Therapy Specialist Nurses, registered for the scheme and has since had a refugee stay with her. We caught up with her to understand a bit more about the process and steps involved. We’ve all read both positive and negative news about the Scheme and the Ukrainian refugee crisis but hearing a first-hand account, from someone within our team, makes the human impact of war even more real.
After finding out about and registering for the scheme, Lisa joined various Facebook groups to post ads about her spare room in Edinburgh. That’s how Natalia, a 47-year-old sales manager based in Kyiv, found Lisa. Natalia was hoping to leave her war-torn home. The two women, both around the same age, built a connection and began the process.
Lisa then took it upon herself to support Natalia’s visa application to ensure a smooth and swift transition. While the paperwork was being processed, Natalia made her way to safety - a refugee area in a children’s school in Lviv, 7 km from the Poland-Ukraine border. Ten days later, Natalia had her visa and made her way to Warsaw to a refugee camp, where she waited for her flight to Edinburgh.
Before Natalia arrived in the UK, Lisa arranged for Natalia’s National Insurance number, registered her with the GP, and opened a UK bank account. Natalia arrived in the UK on Thursday 7th April and received a job offer from the Marriot Hotel just a few days later. To further support Natalia, Lisa has also sourced a free sim card that Natalia can use for a year, while she gets settled.
Having to leave home and start a new life in a new country is no easy feat. Having Lisa to support with the logistics would have undoubtedly made the whole experience just a little bit easier for Natalia.
Lisa states that “It has been such a positive experience” and bringing Natalia into her home “felt like the right thing to do”. Although Natalia will be staying with her for 6 months and possibly up to a year, Lisa expressed that she is happy to support Natalia for a while longer after, to ensure she is completely settled.
When listening to news reports or reading the papers, the war can seem so far away. But it’s closer to all of us than we think. We’re very proud of Lisa, and others like her, for acting and making a real difference. If any of you at Fresenius Medical Care UK are participating in the Homes for Ukraine scheme or involved in any fundraising initiates for Ukraine, please share details with us by emailing Press.UK@fmc-ag.com. We’d like to share details with colleagues and spread the word on our LinkedIn and Twitter channels so we can support your efforts.