A mum who fled from Ukraine after the Russian invasion began last year has said she continues to be “very grateful” for the support from people in England.

Margarita Bondarenko left the country with her 12-year-old daughter Mariya in summer 2022 and now lives in Rainham.

She said: “It was quite difficult for the first two months of the war in Ukraine because the first two months we stayed, not knowing what to do next.

“I was constantly watching the news and hoping, and then after two months I realised I have a daughter who needs proper care and who needs to be safe and needs education.

“It was obvious that there was no way to get back home at that point.”

Today is World Refugee Day (June 20), which highlights the positive impacts refugees bring to society through skills, innovation, and their unique perspectives.

Margarita says she was “really happy” to learn about the Homes for Ukrainians scheme and applied in the middle of last April.

“I got permission to travel in just five or six working days,” she said.

“I was really surprised, as I wasn’t expecting such a prompt reply. I already knew that some people had been waiting for months with different situations.

“When we arrived here there was no time to be worried because you had to proceed with all formalities, with banking cards and things.

“Life became easier after we arrived, even mentally for me.”

She was lucky enough to be able to stay with friends, who she had previously worked with in Ukraine.

She continued: “They hosted me here so I got a lot of help and support.”

When Margarita and her daughter first arrived in England, they didn’t unpack straight away as they were “still waiting to be able to go back home.”

She said: “I realised that unfortunately things are evolving and you have to settle – you have to live, go to school, you have to find a GP.

“You are forced to make some decisions, it was an interesting new experience. Slowly but surely we are integrating here.”

Margarita was able to get support from the International Rescue Committee (IRC) which she says was extremely helpful, and made the integration process smooth.

She was helped through courses on cultural integration and employment, and the IRC also gives guidance on the school system and how to get medical attention when needed.

She also now volunteers with Medway Help for Ukrainians, who help other Ukrainians settle into the UK. The group was the overall winner of the Pride in Medway awards.

She said: “We are trying to do everything we can. We raise money, we donate constantly, we help evacuate orphans a lot.

“I’m escaping from this difficult reality by being busy and by doing things and being helpful.”

Margarita’s daughter, who is now 13, has settled into her new school and although the language aspect has been challenging she said: “Kids are kids and they improve fast.”

“I never presumed that we could find such great support here...”

The family are eligible to stay in the country for two more years, but she says she is still hopeful they will be able to go back to Ukraine at some stage.

“We’ll see what happens in this period of time,” she said.

“I do hope that we will be able to go back home, fingers crossed.

“I’m still very surprised in a pleasant way. I still can’t believe that people would open their homes for strangers and be so kind and helpful and supportive.

“This is priceless, we are really very grateful. I never presumed that we could find such great support here.”