Ukrainian refugees find peace in Torquay

Two weeks after a Ukrainian family fled their war-torn country and took refuge in Torquay their home in Kyiv was destroyed in a deadly Russian drone attack.

On October 11, Svitlana Galata and her two sons and daughter made the impossible decision to say goodbye to their home in the Ukrainian capital and move in with a family in Torquay.

A fortnight later they received the devastating news that the apartment they lived in had been struck by a Russian drone, destroying four floors, including their home, and  claiming the life of a 14-year-old girl.

Now, a few weeks later, Svitlana and her children are adjusting to their life in the Bay, staying at the home of ex-military personnel Jim McCall and his wife Helenka.

Svitlana and her family came to live with Jim and Helenka through Homes for Ukrainians, a  government scheme that allows households in the UK to provide accommodation for Ukrainian refugees displaced by the Russian invasion. 

Jim joined the Facebook group Torbay Ukraine Host & Visitor Support two and a half years ago with the intention of inviting a family into his home. It was only a couple of months ago that he saw Svitlana’s message and immediately offered to help.

“One of Svitlana’s kids looked like my son when he was younger,” Jim explained.

“I showed my wife and said, ‘Look at the resemblance,’ and she straight away replied, ‘We have to offer them help’.”

Above: Jim with Svitlana's boys

In the period leading up to their arrival, Jim did all he could to prepare, including learning about Ukrainian culture, helping with paperwork, and arranging for the children to go to school. Having been a soldier, he was conscious that being at war for two and a half years may have caused the family some psychological trauma.

He said: “We try to give them a lot of space so that they can relax into the change of life. As we got to know them, stories about the terrible things that happened there emerged.

“I spent six years in Germany as a soldier and the whole time we were all preparing to go to war with Russia, which didn’t happen in the end.

“I wanted to go and help Ukraine, but unfortunately I’ve got a number of injuries, which is why I left the army.”

Living through the conflict, Svitlana and her children experienced frequent power outages in their block of flats and would often have to sleep in the hallways, which were safer during air raids.

They learned of their home's destruction through a live video message from a friend who lives in the same residential block.

Jim recalled the moment they all found out: “Svitlana’s daughter came running towards me, saying, ‘It’s broken! ‘It’s broken!’, and when she showed me the video, I saw their flat on fire.”

Above: The drone went through the daughter's window

The Russian drone apparently went straight through Svitlana’s daughter’s bedroom window before blowing up the entire flat.

As it happened at 9pm, there is every chance the whole family would have been at home at the time of the impact. 

A 14-year-old girl living in the flat upstairs died in the attack.

When war first broke out, Svitlana had moved her family to Kyiv to seek safety in the city and a better education for her children. 

However, as the conflict continued to escalate, the bombing of a nearby children's hospital and the death of a neighbour convinced her that they had to leave the country.

Svitlana told Jim that she had lost hope, despite always wanting to believe that things would be alright.

Her decision to move to Torquay proved to be life saving. Svitlana and her children have found peace and happiness in walks along the beaches.

Above: Svitlana and family

Their uncle used to have a coastal apartment in Crimea, and playing on Oddicombe beach after a ride on the Babbacombe Cliff Railway reminded them of visits to his home.

All three children are attending schools in Torquay and Svitlana is hoping to continue her work as a qualified accountant.

Though they’ve only lived in Torquay a short while, Jim has a

ready seen a big difference in the children’s demeanour, with Svitlana observing that they have now started laughing and playing again.

Jim said: “Torquay has always been a place of harbour for when the sea gets dangerous and the ships come into the bay for safety. It just seemed apt for them to come here. 

“In Victorian times, many people visited Torquay for the fresh air. The boys used to have trouble with sneezing due to dust and dirt, and since they’ve arrived, they’ve both been really healthy.”

Asked what advice he would give to other  families considering opening their doors to refugees, Jim stressed that doing so could be the difference between life and death.

He said: “People do need to be aware that children who have been at war for multiple years are likely to experience some trauma. But if you’re not using that spare bedroom, it could literally save someone's life.”

Svitlana expressed her gratitude for the “kindness” and “generosity” of Jim and his wife.

She said: “Moving from Kyiv to Torquay was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made for myself and my three children. Deciding to leave was emotionally and physically draining. I understood that with three children, it would be extremely difficult to find sponsors.

“But then a miracle happened. Wonderful people like Jim and Helenka stepped forward to welcome us into their home. I am incredibly grateful to them. These golden-hearted people agreed to take in not just one but four of us and greeted us like family.

“Torquay has been a breath of fresh air for us. It’s a small town with stunning natural beauty, a calm pace of life and kind-hearted people. For the first time in years, we can walk the streets without fear, plan for the future and enjoy the simple things — beach strolls, family meals and each other’s smiles.

Above: Svitlana's son cooking in Jim and Helenka's home

“I also want to kindly remind everyone that there are still people in need of help. Sometimes even the smallest gesture of support can save lives, just as it saved mine and my children’s.”