Upton Upon Severn Ukrainian families given treat of days out

The 90 Ukrainians now living in Upton Upon Severn were taken out for activity days in the Cotswolds and tours of the region to help familiarise them with their surroundings.

Many of the families do not speak English and have no access to their own transport, having had to flee the war in their homeland.

Colleagues from Beechwood Park retirement home in Stow on the Wold and Upton Baptist Church joined up to put together a schedule of activities for them to enjoy their summer.

MEETING: Ukrainian refugees at Beechwood Park

Trish Staite, general manager of Beechwood Park and an Upton resident, said: "Like many people around the country, we have been moved by the strength of Ukrainian families, many of whom have left all that they know to set up life in a new part of the world.

"I saw lots of families moving into Upton and felt compelled to help in any way I could.

"In working with the church, we were able to get families out into the Cotswolds for a free day of fun that took us to Beechwood Park, Cotswolds Farm Park and to take in some of the sights of the Cotswolds.

"We were all just so blown away by the beauty of the Cotswolds; even as a local it opened my eyes to how unique our setting is at Beechwood Park and the wider region.

HOME: Around 90 Ukrainians now live in Upton

"It was joyous and uplifting and I cannot express enough gratitude to show the Ukrainian families how grateful we are to have met them, to hear about their lives, their ambitions and the ongoing situation in their homeland."

As part of the schedule, the families were treated to a coffee morning and tour of Beechwood Park; homeowners welcomed the visitors with open arms, sharing stories about life in the UK and Ukraine.

The children were also given art sets and drew pictures that are now on display at the development; local photographer Claire Carroll also attended one of the events and took family portraits as gifts for the families.