A Southampton woman has made a “friend for life” after taking on a Ukrainian refugee.

Angie Baker, 62, from Bitterne Park, was inspired to sign up to the Homes for Ukraine scheme after one of her church peers told her she was going to welcome a refugee. 

She said: "I had seen the conflict in Ukraine on the news and on social media. I wanted to do something to help despite being more than 1800 miles away and not having a lot of money.

"I felt that I had to do something. If a conflict had broken out in this country, I would be forever grateful if someone would offer a room in their home to me – I knew it was the right thing to do."

In May of last year, Angie took Olha, 31, under her wing and hasn't looked back.

“One of the biggest challenges at first was not knowing what to say – luckily, she spoke very good English and my anxieties disappeared immediately.

“From the first morning she arrived here with me she has been so eager to become self-sufficient. The first thing she asked was – How can I get a job?"

After getting settled, Angie helped Olha register with a GP, get a phone contract and look for social groups.

“Olha has become a lifelong friend of mine. She has become a part of my family and I would go as far as to say I consider her a daughter.

“She has done brilliantly since coming to the UK. She has completed an English course, joined an art club and is even taking her GCSE English exam this year."

Since the Homes for Ukraine scheme was launched, 307 visas have been issued to Ukrainian nationals in Southampton.

Sponsors are eligible for a thank you payment of £350 a month.

Angie said the support she has received from Southampton City Council - which issues the payment - has been outstanding and she is very grateful.

She said: “The council really will bend over backwards for you when it comes to support for Ukrainians, I could not have done it without the council’s help.

“My biggest piece of advice for anyone considering taking on a refugee is to be yourself and not to worry if it doesn’t work out.”