Beaconsfield Together July August 2022

COMMUNITY NEWS
Ukrainians
welcomed to
Beaconsfield
Dozens of families in Beaconsfield and the
surrounding area have opened their doors
to those fleeing war torn Ukraine - over 80
women and children are now staying in the
area. Children arriving from areas across
Ukraine have been offered places at schools
in Beaconsfield, Farnham Common and
Amersham.
Ruth Allchurch is hosting Alona and her two
children, all from Kiev, in her family home in
Burnham. Ruth said: “We have been sharing
our home for a week and it has honestly been
extraordinary, humbling and life affirming.” Alona
said: “We have been treated like family since we
arrived. We are very grateful to our sponsors for
all they have done.”
with, transport, signposting and advocacy.
Volunteers are organising weekly get-togethers
for Ukrainian guests at the Dove Café in St
Thomas’s Church in Mayflower Way, Holtspur.
The charity’s transport service matches volunteer
drivers with those needing important trips
which host families cannot accommodate, whilst
English language teaching is being co-ordinated
by former TEFL and teaching staff.
BCB Ukrainian
Support Project
Lead Reverend
Michael Johnson
said: “For the second
time in two years our
community is rallying
to support those
most affected by an
unforeseen global
crisis.” Revd Johnson,
Team Vicar with the
Beaconsfield Anglican Cathy Lemon and her guest family
churches, based at
St Thomas’ Holtspur added: “This time, many local
people are putting their own concerns on hold, in
order to welcome strangers into their own homes.”
Employment workshop organised at Formative Content
offices in Beaconsfield
The Lemon family are also amongst those
offering space in their home to Ukrainian mothers
Romanna and her two children, and Myla and
her two young boys. They also have the boys’
grandmother, Tetiana, staying. “Our daughters
have left home and we had space, so my husband
and I were delighted to be able to help. They
already feel like part of the family - we are sharing
the cooking and there is never a dull moment,”
said Cathy Lemon, hosting with her husband,
Harry at their home in Farnham Common.
Better Connected Beaconsfield is supporting
Ukrainians with employment workshops along
Reverend Johnson has his own important personal
connection with Ukraine, as his wife Yulia Johnson
Fedorenko - also volunteering with BCB - is from
the country. “For me, Ukraine is my motherland,
it’s a place where my family lives,” said Yulia. “I
feel very grateful to British people, many of whom
opened their houses and hearts to strangers.”
Local businesses including Emile de Londres, The
Shed, Haringtons, The Beech House, Amersham
Swimming Club, Sports Nut, Clare’s Court School
and Formative Content have offered their support
to our Ukrainian visitors.
For their part, Cathy Lemon’s guests are glad to
be settled here for the moment. But they just want
the war to be over so that they can return to their
homes and their family.
6 Beaconsfield Together is part of Community Together