Natalia Snitko

They had to flee Ukraine after their city was bombed during the war. They have no city to return to. They came here under the UK Government Homes for Ukrainians Scheme. Natalia worked as a bank manager in her country. The family lost everything, their home, their livelihood, their possessions in fact everything except this teddy bear. The bear carries so much meaning for the family. He was the only thing they were about to grab as they escaped the bombing in their flat.

FSWC has proved very important for Natalia. Here she has learned to speak very good English and through embracing her new host country the centre has opened up opportunities for work experience and education as well as learning about other cultures and traditions from women around the world.

Her culture heritage and language remain important for her, although it is hard to encourage her son to retain her language as he is integrated into school in Dungannon and prefers to speak English! For the sake of her Mum and the deep longing to keep her Ukrainian legacy somewhat intact she would love to foster her mother tongue. She often cooks Ukrainian food at home.

The future is very uncertain for Natalia as the families’ temporary humanitarian visas have only been renewed until October 2026. It is hard to live in this limbo not really knowing what the future holds and all the time holding the sadness of the fierce war continuing in her country.