“As a couple, we’re very used to having a full house,” laughs Mel. “For nearly two decades, we have lived as a multi-generational family, living under the same roof as our daughter and son-in-law and their now grown up children. It’s certainly kept us young and fit!”
However, the decision to add a whole other family to the mix, and one that didn’t speak English was one that the couple had never considered before, that is until the war broke out in Ukraine in February 2022, instigating Europe’s largest refugee crisis since WW2.
“How could you not be moved by the scenes of war that were televised daily?” asks Sue.Despite being retired and already having a full house, the couple sat down with the whole family to discuss the possibility of hosting a Ukrainian family looking for a safe place to live.
“We were moved by the amazing response of our little village, which had set up its own community group, the Ukraine2chilterns charity, in support of Ukrainians fleeing the war.Having lived in our little village for over 40 years, I have never known a response quite like it. We all came together as one united front to do something to help others in their time of real need. The atmosphere was just so exciting as we all waited for our Ukrainian guests to arrive.
“I distinctly remember the day that the visas finally came through. Our Ukrainian family rang to say that they were driving by car through Europe, and were due to arrive in just 4 days’ time.” says Mel. “But the day that Erhan, Natalia and their two young children Sasha (5) and Melissa (2) arrived was really emotional,” recounts Mel. “They were exhausted.”
Erhan and his family had made the decision to flee when in the early days of the war, Erhanfound he was unable to escape quickly to the underground bomb shelters because he had broken his leg and this was only adding to the trauma experienced by the couple’s two youngchildren.
“Those first few weeks after their arrival were an incredible whirlwind of activity for us all. We had to help our guests with everything : to get registered with the GP, get a bank account,sign on with the job centre and of course get the kids in to the local school. But we had the most amazing support from our local council and our local community group.
“I was really impressed by the huge package of support that was developed almost overnightfor Ukrainians from health & well-being classes to advice and information on job hunting and even free weekly English language classes. It was a fantastic collective effort made by so many willing and enthusiastic volunteers. We even have a Clothes Barn where our Ukrainians can go to collect good quality donated second hand clothes”
After six months of living with Mel and Sue, with his leg now fully mended, Erhan and his family decided to return to a safer part of Ukraine to run the family business they had left behind. But within a few days of their departure, Mel and Sue began to hear of another Ukrainian family – this time, a family already living in Buckinghamshire that faced being uprooted yet again as they were nearing the end of their six month stay. (Read how Mel and Sue were rematched with another family)