Over 60,000 Ukrainian refugees are now living in the UK. But how have they settled in, and what have they found most challenging?  

Russia began their invasion of Ukraine over 130 days ago. Since then, at least 12 million people have had to flee their homes in Ukraine. 

Alina Gorokhova left her home town, Zaporizhzhia after the war started and arrived in the UK two months ago.

Ms. Gorokhova is a former personal assistant for an international lawyer, which belonged to the Russian government. Now, as one of over 120 Ukrainian workers living in Trafford, Alina works as a receptionist at Blue Tower in Media City UK. 

Alina spent over 20 hours travelling to Poland: “Just suddenly one morning I made the decision to go because it was now or never”.  

Alina and her best friend left Ukraine together: “I started to think where I could go and what I needed to do and my best friend she supported me and said its okay we can go anywhere we just need to get out of the war”. 

After living in the UK for two months, Alina describes Manchester as her ‘new home’.  

Alina said the biggest change she experienced was the work style: “we have particular hours to work, you cannot drink tea you cannot drink coffee, you don’t have chit chat with your colleagues it's just not in Ukrainian style. You go to work; you’re working that’s it”.  

When asked how it felt to leave Ukraine Alina said: “It feels sad, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and Ukraine has become very powerful now and everybody helps each other. 

“Nobody knows, nobody believes that we can be stronger than we are now. When people ask me what’s my superpower, I say I am Ukrainian”.  

You can donate today to the Ukraine Crisis Appeal through the British Red Cross.