Settling in and Moving on
“You gave us warmth and care. For us, this has been invaluable”
For the past year High Street has played host to a weekly Drop-In for Ukrainians arriving in the area. It has been a wonderful space for them to meet and make friends as well as being a place to share practical advice and help them navigate all aspects of life in the UK.
On Monday 22 May they met for the final time. The end of a group is often a sad and a regrettable event but this is far from the truth in this case.
Many of our guests have now found work and have settled into their new lives in the Harpenden area. Fewer of them are now available to meet and the need for practical help has lessened. Those arriving now are helped by fellow Ukrainians who have mastered the complexities of life in the UK!
When the small remaining group called into the church office after their final meeting it was with an air of celebration for all they have achieved.
The card they wrote to our church community included the following messages
“Thank you for supporting the Ukrainians in Harpenden. You gave us warmth and care. For us, this has been invaluable”
“Huge thank you for all that you did for us during this difficult time”
“Thank you for your understanding, help, comfort and support. Thank you that my child and I can sleep peacefully”
Our premises remains available to them and plans are already being made for events that will bring them all back together again.