A BAND of volunteers have come together to create a hub to support Ukrainian families fleeing conflict in their home country.

Hundreds of households in Warrington have opened their doors to host refugees from the eastern European country following its invasion by Russia.

Moving more than a thousand miles across the continent would be hard enough given language and cultural differences – but many Ukrainians left with little more than just a bag of clothes.

To make settling into Warrington as easy a process as possible, volunteers have established a community hub offering a range of support and advice.

Based at The Daten at Culcheth Sports Club on Charnock Road, the Ukrainian Family Hub was set up by Kate McCarthy-Booth and Sarah Dowdeswell, who are both hosting Ukrainian families.

“We came together a few weeks ago after we realised there was not much of a support network in Warrington for hosts,” explained Kate, who is from Croft.

Warrington Guardian:

“We have probably got around 20 to 30 families together in the Croft, Culcheth, Birchwood and Padgate areas so far.

“On Wednesday evenings between 5pm and 7pm, we have an education setting for children and adults to teach English, all run by volunteers.

“Then between 11am and 2pm every Sunday, we have a social with refreshments and children’s play areas.”

Kate says the hub has been popular so far, with seven Ukrainian families in attendance at the first meet-up.

Families are able to get help with things like finding a job and applying for a National Insurance number, while support is also available for hosts.

“Families can find out where to go if they are interested in any hobbies, such as scouts or football or running clubs, and it is about putting them in touch with people in the local community so they can get involved and be a part of the community,” Kate continued.

Warrington Guardian:

“The hub is for families across Warrington, and also for hosts to come down to meet other hosts and get advice, as being a host has its own challenges.”

Kate says that the support on offer from the hub is invaluable, with the settling process inevitably taking time.

The family she has kindly taken in are adjusting after arriving in the town three weeks ago, with the mum having already secured a job and making good progress with her English.

The aim of the hub is to support this integration progress and make it as easy as possible.

For more information about the hub, visit facebook.com/groups/ukrainianhubwarrington or call Kate on 07776142938.

You can also visit ukrainehubwarrington.co.uk/home