A NEW documentary on Radio 4 will follow the lives of Ukrainian refugees that are now living in Somerset.

Ukrainians in Britain: Where Next? is presented by Ukrainian English teacher Olga Rybak, who has been living in Milverton since May 2022.

She moved here as part of the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, which saw refugees accepted into the country. 

This scheme saw more than 110,000 Ukrainians come to the UK for safety. Many were accepted into people's spare rooms.

Olga and her daughters have been hosted by a couple in Milverton since their arrival.

Since then, they have been awaiting an end to the war back home so that they can return.

As the war has dragged on, Olga is now having to consider finding permanent accommodation in Britain, while her husband and wider family remain in Ukraine.

Now, Olga will speak to other Ukrainians to reflect on the support and generosity of the local community, and also talk openly about the challenges they face.

Olga is now paid by the local community association (Wivey Welcomes Refugees) to teach English to other Ukrainians for a few hours per week.

But, like many other Ukrainians here, she has struggled to find further suitable work. Olga says: "Now I feel motivated, and I'm not afraid to think of building my own life in the UK, until I will be able to get back home.

"Other people are not that positive. I know someone who is going back home with children, because she is a single Mum here, as I am - she finds it quite difficult to rent a house here. The main problem now is a good job, to be able to pay the rent".

Peter Pearson, chair of Wivey Welcomes Refugees, adds: "All the Ukrainian people I know, they don't want to be living off charity. They want to work, they want to make a living and make their own choices - the same as I know I would if I were in Ukraine as a refugee.

"Some problems seem too big for a single person, but if a community comes together, all sorts of things can happen".

The documentary, produced by Jack Butcher, will air on February 21 at 11am.