With the first anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine on 24th February, we have an update on one of the Ukrainian families who came to live here in Cirencester. 35 year old Olha Nimak was featured in our June issue last year. She was due to move here to marry her British fiancé, Steve Barnes, and had already applied for visas for herself and her three children, when the war started, and her plans were stalled for months. Having managed to escape Ukraine to the safety of a friend’s apartment in Poland, they had to wait till May before the final visas came through and she could come to England.
Now married to Steve and calling herself Olive (easier to pronounce), she has written us an update on their lives in Gloucestershire.
“It’s been nearly a year since me and my 3 kids arrived in Cirencester. Lots of things have happened, probably too many. So far, we managed to find places in schools and adjust to new rules and schedules which is very difficult and sometimes wasn’t obvious for us. I could talk endlessly about differences from home. Of course it was stressful. Sometimes I was crying just because I had no more energy to cope with all the incoming information. I felt stupid, incapable, lost. I didn’t realise when I came here that I wouldn’t be able to start working straight away in the same industry I was in Ukraine. And not because of my language, it is practically perfect (unlike some of my other Ukrainian friends in Cirencester!), but mostly due to childcare availability.
In Ukraine my kids were allowed to walk themselves to school so long as parents were happy. For us this is such a shame given that we live 1 minute walk from Powell’s. Also, back home we are used to free after school clubs ‘till 5 o’clock. And free kindergarten for kids to age 6 which allows both parents to work. I used to be a full-time games digital artist, but all my offers here required full time. So I have to find a job for just 5-6 hours a day. So, the only option for me was to become a freelancer and slowly look for clients. I used to do oil painting recreationally and do face painting for kids. So I started to try this in Cirencester for kids parties. I approached the Town Council for permission to perform face painting on the street, but they didn’t allow it because they considered it as trading (despite the CDC being supportive). Now I concentrate on portrait commissions. However, I am struggling to find shared studio space for artists, or life painting classes where rent and model costs can be shared.
Domestically, my kids are missing the ability to swim in river at the bottom of our garden in summer and do proper ice-skating practice in winter. I miss my affordable dentist and beautician, so I still travel to Ukraine as a necessity (it’s even value with flights). From cuisine I mostly miss cured herring in salt, and rye sour bread, but I’m finding alternatives with mackerels. But the biggest difference I found in culture is that in Ukraine people say what they mean but sometimes rudely. Whereas here, people are all so very polite, but you never know if they truly mean it all the time!
My fiancé and I got married in St Peters church in May and officially became a couple. Luckily, living together as a family has worked for us, and that is the main thing which keeps us positive. We love Cirencester because of its quiet, peaceful life and kind people. Especially our Gloucester Steet neighbours. We are one big supportive community who celebrate holidays together and come to each other’s for a drink. It is so rare, and we´re keen to keep this warm tradition going. I continue to worry about family and friends in Ukraine with the war appearing intractable. We really appreciate the support and positive thoughts from the community in the hope that soon, sense will prevail and our beautiful country can mend.
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