Since her forced migration to Hodnet from Ukraine on the Russian invasion of the country in March this year Nadiia Shablia has been spending most of the time in the bedroom in her new home provided by Pam and Kate Thomas. She has, however, now been coaxed out of this to an extent by the weekly teaching sessions that are run at the Hub for Ukrainian Refugees in the Zone in Market Drayton on Tuesday mornings. As a result of these she is happily mixing with other women from her homeland as they develop new language skills and anticipate pursuing other interests.
Iana Jacobson recognised the need for a hub in Market Drayton after working with Shropshire Supports Refugees, which plays a key role helping assimilate refugees from Ukraine and other parts of the world into the county. Iana began life in the Lviv in Ukraine, when it was a part of the USSR, before leaving it for the UK in 1969 and was aware of some of the feelings of isolation that can arise with the transition. Knowing that nearly all the refugees in north Shropshire were living in outlying villages she realised they needed to be brought together in some way and, thanks to financial support from Market Drayton Town Council, the hub for Ukrainian Refugees started life on 5th July. In addition to enabling the refugees to get together on a weekly basis at the Zone it also serves as a regular meeting place for their hosts.
The hub began by providing English classes for the refugees through Janey Manton, a retired English teacher, who aims to teach her students English grammar through fun and games an hour a week and help them avoid the faults developed by immersion in the culture. Her charges still have difficulties in understanding certain aspects of the culture, with English people regularly saying ‘sorry’ and ‘pardon’ in conversation without any necessity. Janey launched a bi-monthly book club for the more advanced learners at the end of August.
At the time of writing it was hoped to get a yoga class going and later on this year the plan is to begin craft work, with painting, weaving and crocheting hot on the agenda. Hopefully a good number of Market Drayton residents will have enjoyed the Ukrainian cookery display that took place at the Buttercross during the town’s Ginger and Spice Festival on Saturday 24th September.
The hub is open from 10am to 12pm each Tuesday with the first half hour simply being for meeting up and chatting about things.
— This article was written by Alan Cartwright
For more information about the hub please contact Iana via the following: email: iana.m.jacobson1@gmail.com or mobile: 07919974979.
Nadiia considers the Zone to be nice and warm and very modern and feels the people she has met in England have been very welcoming and helpful. No doubt those at the hub along with Pam and Kate are in her thoughts when she says this.
