Hospice volunteers provide refuge for Ukrainian teacher

Kindness matters and helping people in need comes second nature to Sue and Pete Henwood, both 71, from Havering-atte-Bower. Sue has been volunteering with the retail team at Saint Francis Hospice for over 11 years and Pete has been putting his photography skills to great use for seven years by giving up his time to support the fundraising team and raise awareness of hospice care.

But the couple’s caring nature saw them reach out to a young teacher in Ukraine when the war with Russia broke out in February.  Sue and Pete registered with the government scheme Homes for Ukraine and invited Mariana Nefedova, 23, via a Facebook post, to come and stay with them. Mariana arrived in April and very quickly became part of their family.

“I am from central Ukraine and had been living and working as a teacher in Bucha for three years,” said Mariana.  

“When the war started, I recall waking up at 5am and seeing a rocket speeding past. I watched the news to find out what was happening and we had a meeting at the school where I worked to decide what we needed to do to keep the children safe.

Finding safety in London

“At first there were no sirens but then sirens were going off every half an hour.  I saw rockets and bombs going off. It was so frightening and I knew I had to leave.

“I heard about a programme where you could go to other countries and I put a post on Facebook looking for a family to stay with in the UK. I couldn’t believe it when Sue replied within five minutes.  It was hard to reply as my English wasn’t so good at the time so I had to use Google Translate. 

“I waited for three weeks in Kiev and travelled for 37 hours by bus, train and plane before I arrived in England. Sue and Pete were waiting for me at Stansted and they had a sign with my name on it.

“I felt like I was in a film. When they took me to their home in Romford, there were towels in the Ukraine colours blue and yellow and Sue had looked up photos of places in Ukraine and had a picture made for me.”

Sue said it was a bit daunting at first as they didn’t know each other, there was a language barrier and they were unfamiliar with each other’s culture but Mariana settled in quickly.

Mariana's second home

“Mariana is like one of our grandchildren,” said Sue.

“We all get on well and have so much fun. She has a great sense of humour and she has cooked us some lovely Ukrainian food. She loves my bread pudding and Pete’s apple pie.

“It was lovely watching the Eurovision together this year and so special when Ukraine won.”

Mariana works at a hotel in London and on her day off she enjoys spending time with the family. Pete has even taught Mariana to play the guitar and their grandchildren adore Mariana.

“I feel like this is my second home,” said Mariana.

“I remember the first time I heard thunder, I was so scared. I woke up thinking a bomb had gone off.

“Pete and Sue have spoken to my mum and sister in Ukraine and I hope when the war is over, they will come to Ukraine with me to meet them.

“I feel very lucky that I have been able to come here to stay with such lovely people. They have helped my so much and I will always be grateful to them.”