A DOCTOR from Ukraine told how she feels about her first Christmas in the UK.

Ludmila, 46, and her 15-year-old daughter Anna had to flee their home in Kiev in the spring.

The pair eventually arrived in Amersham in April 2022.

Now teenager Anna has continued studying in Amersham School as she speaks English “very well”, which is common for children in Ukraine, proud mother Ludmila explained through a translator. 

Ludmila was a “very good doctor” back in Ukraine. She spends all her time studying English at the adult learning centre and in the evenings with the help of an online tutor.  

“I understand that the high level of English is my opportunity for a good job connected to my doctor’s specialism.

“That’s my main focus.”

She changed a host family two months ago to move with the second sponsor family in Chesham.

She’s “deeply concerned” about their accommodation, and she has tried to rent privately.

However, landlords don’t want to rent out apartments to her because she doesn’t have credit, job and rental history in the UK, Ludmila said.

“They usually ask whether we can give them a guarantor - a British citizen who has a certain level of income and other requirements, so it’s quite tricky.”

“At the moment I’m focused on studying English and looking for a job around the medical field.”

“We’re really hoping that in December or January the British government can give us [Ukrainians] the support with guaranteeing through the Council.”

Ludmila’s “law of life” was that positive energy and people are moving on this planet, and it doesn’t matter what “barriers or challenges we face.”

She’s trying to do whatever she can herself, but she also feels she has “great support” from the local Ukrainian community, her first and second host families.

“I support a lot of people, and people support me.”

“I believe in victory and freedom for our country – the best future.”

Her strongly positive outlook, the giving and receiving support “help her to wake up every day and tackle all the challenges.”

The Christmas period brings out difficult feelings for Ludmila.

Ludmila said she “doesn’t have the energy or right to celebrate Christmas” when her country and family are stuck in difficult conditions back in Ukraine. 

However, she plans to exchange some gifts with the host family and spend as much time with her daughter as possible, and meet other Ukrainians to “exchange what we can exchange and support each other.”

Ludmila and Anna will go sightseeing and visit museums in London, Amersham and elsewhere to “enjoy local cultural life.”

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