James Heappey, Member of Parliament for Wells, recently visited the Welcome Hub to engage directly with six Ukrainians residing in the area.

During his visit, Heappey, who also serves as Minister of Defence, discussed his role and experiences, including visits to Ukraine and involvement with UK forces training Ukrainian volunteers.

Anna, the Hub Manager, and her Assistant, Inna, facilitated the meeting, focusing on the current challenges and concerns of the Ukrainian community. A central issue raised was the uncertainty surrounding the future of visas, which has significant implications for housing and employment for these families. Although no definite decisions have been made by the UK and EU governments, there is an expectation of a continuing programme of visa extensions as long as the conflict persists.

Heappey highlighted the critical choice facing Ukrainian families, whether to stay in the UK or return to their homeland. He emphasised the potential impact of their decision on Ukraine's future, stating, "If the talented, educated adults and their children, who will have received a good UK education, don't return to Ukraine, it will be an existential threat to the country's economy and to democracy there."

Participants shared personal stories and concerns, including:

• The devastation of homes and businesses in the Kherson region and in Luhansk.
• Challenges in renting properties due to landlords' hesitance, given the limited duration of their visas.
• Difficulties in securing jobs in the UK that align with their Ukrainian qualifications.
• Concerns about teenagers nearing conscription age in the coming years.
• The experience of families from Luhansk, Donetsk, and Crimea, who have been living under the shadow of war for eight years even before the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022.
• Cultural assimilation challenges, especially for younger children growing up speaking English and becoming detached from their Ukrainian culture and history.

The session at the Welcome Hub proved to be a vital opportunity for open dialogue, offering the Ukrainian community in Wells a chance to voice their unique experiences and concerns. As they navigate these challenging times, such interactions are crucial in fostering understanding and support within the local community. James Heappey's visit marks an important step in acknowledging and addressing the issues faced by Ukrainians in Wells, reinforcing the commitment to aid and support them during this period of uncertainty.