Mixed Emotions for Ukrainian Refugees Seeking Safety in the United Kingdom 

On one van carrying Ukrainian refugees from Poland to the United Kingdom, two Ukrainian women had two completely different experiences on their 50-hour trip. But for them both, the emotions that came with their experience were varied. 

September 2022

After boarding the vehicle alone, 58-year-old Natalyia was nervous when she found her seat in the passenger van bound for her new home in the United Kingdom. Once she sat, now surrounded by other refugees fleeing Ukraine, a look of confusion and anxiety crossed her face. Tears filled her eyes, and her shaking hands quickly moved to brush them away. Overwhelmed at the reality of her situation of officially moving to the United Kingdom with one large suitcase and a duffel bag, she says: “I don’t know if I should be doing this.” 

Meanwhile, 43-year-old Alena held her two small dogs as she found her seat in the back of the passenger van with her mother. She was nervous too, and worried about using her limited English skills in her new country of residence. But once settled with her two dogs resting beside her, she broke into an excited smile and took a few pictures to send to her 19-year-old daughter Diana, who had resettled in the UK three weeks prior.  

The van set off from Wraclaw, Poland and after some time to adjust, the two women got to know one another, as well as the other passengers aboard. All passengers in the vehicle were travelling to the UK through the “Homes for Ukraine” scheme, which has allowed for 100,000 Ukrainian refugees to enter the country and stay with volunteer host families who would help them get adjusted to life in the UK.