A Ukrainian girl aged 16 has stated that she is “excited” to start sixth form in September and develop her piano skills following months of anguish because of Russia’s invasion of her home country.
Anastasia Shpot arrived in the UK on May 26 with her mother Natalia, 42, and two sisters – Yulia, 17, and nine-year-old Victoria – after escaping fighting and shootings in Ukraine, which began as early as 4am on February 24.
“We were woken at 4am. War had started. It was so confusing. Dad (Victor, 56) said they were very close. There was fighting outside. When the shooting happened, we had to find cover and hide,”She told the PA news agency.
I regularly call my dad and talk to him as if it were the last time they speak. I speak to my grandparents as if it were the last time.
Anastasia Shpot
Two days later, the family fled Pershptravensk (close to Kiev) and Anastasia recalls a moment when they were afraid for their lives. The cafe they sought refuge in, Melnitsa in western Ukraine, was attacked and destroyed. But they managed to escape.
Anastasia’s father had to leave the family at the Polish border to stay behind and fight, and she said she speaks to him every day like it “could be the last time we speak”.
“I call my dad regularly and speak to him like it could be the last time we speak. I call my grandparents and speak to them like it could be the last time,”She spoke to PA.
The teenager stated that her family is grateful for the help from the UK, who she said was a great support. “open doors”And “open hearts”Gary and Sandra Silver, especially, helped the family find a home at Heyford Park, Oxfordshire. They also assisted with visas, after they met the couple in Warsaw in March.
Anastasia Shpot with her mother Natalia (Dorchester Regeneration/PA).
Through their property business Dorchester Regeneration, the husband and wife helped approximately 250 Ukrainian refugees find accommodation in Europe and the USA.
“They give us a home and welcomed us with open doors and for me, it was wonderful because people really helped us – they opened their hearts,” Anastasia said.
“When we arrive here, they give us food. They told us if you need something, just tell us. We did not expect this so it was amazing for me and my family.”
Anastasia and her sisters have all been enrolled in Heyford Park School – an academy school that the Dorchester Regeneration team helped create – and the budding pianist hopes to continue working on her craft.
“In September, I will go into sixth form. I’m nervous, but excited,”She spoke.
“I enjoy playing the piano because I played piano in Ukraine, and my school in Heyford Park is great because they give us our own piano, so I have the opportunity to play the piano as much as I want to.”
We’re delighted that the family are settling in well in Heyford Park and that everyone in the community has been so welcoming, but we’re also aware that they’ve left so much behind … If the family decides to return to Ukraine, then we will assist them in any way we can.
Gary Silver
Mr. Silver stated: “We brought several families to the UK, one of which we found a home for in our new Heyford Park development in Oxfordshire. That was Anastasia, her mother and two sisters. My wife and I quite literally stumbled across Anastasia in Warsaw train station. She was sleeping rough on the floor with her family.
“We’re delighted that the family are settling in well in Heyford Park and that everyone in the community has been so welcoming, but we’re also aware that they’ve left so much behind, including Anastasia’s dad and grandparents.
“If and when the time comes for the family to return to Ukraine, we will do whatever we can to help facilitate and support them.”