Diocese of Chichester

House blessing for Ukraine refugees

Two Ukrainian families were welcomed into the heart of the community in Bexhill with a blessing for their new home provided by St Augustine's Housing Trust.

On 26 jul 2022

In Diocese of Chichester

By communications

The two-bedroomed property, which became vacant due to a tenant needing to move for more specialist care, was offered in response to a call put out by the local refugee centre.

Ukrainian nationals Natalia (37) and her daughter Sofia (aged 3) will share the two bedroomed Bungalow with Olena (44) and her son Andri (aged 5).

“Sofia and Natalia’s husbands are still fighting in Ukraine and communication has been very poor for some weeks now. Said Fr Robert, vicar of St Augustine’s. “Hopefully, this home will give them some comfort and a settled place for their children while they wait for news.

“The property, named Salus House (Salus is Safety in Latin) has been revamped and fully furnished for our Ukrainian guests thanks to the wonderful help from the community who donated furniture and many practical items.”

The blessing was intended to mark the start of this new journey for the families, to pray for the home for peace, love and protection.

"I was delighted at the attendance on Friday for the blessing of Salus House, Fr Robert added. “It was lovely to see a mixture of St. Augustine's congregation, our local MP and mayor and our Ukrainian friends all united in the common cause of Christian hospitality. and a good dose of fun too"

"I am very grateful to all who helped to make Friday's service of blessing for Salus House such a wonderful and memorable occasion"

"As Christians we are called to not only to proclaim the Lord's command to Love Your Neighbour; but to place this command into action when the need arises. As I stated on Friday afternoon, what we are doing at St. Augustine's to help our friends from the Ukrain is an extension of what we believe and express through the liturgy of the Church."

In Bexhill there are currently 25 families hosting 70 Ukrainians.

Susan Gedge, Rother Ukraine Support Community development worker and Rother Voluntary Action, said “We are moving in the dark. It is about working together. There are multiple challenges but a lot of good will.We need hosts desperately”.You can email ukrainesupport@rva.uk.com

Veleryo Dvornyk helps to run an East Sussex based support group for host families and Ukrainian refugees helping and connecting refugees in many ways, such as language support, supported video calls, accessing vital information, advocacy and arranging get togethers. She speaks Ukrainian and Russian.

The Bexhill Hub runs every Wednesday from 10-2pm where 40/50 people gather for a range of support activities including learning English, to get clothes donated, hospitality shared food and fellowship.

Together South provide the lessons. https://www.groundwork.org.uk/projects/together-hastings-and-rother/

Main Photo caption Volunteers, friends and family and civic members joined Fr Robert to welcome Natalia and Olena

More pictures below:

Group photo left to right: Pictured with Fr Robert is Ruth Frais (Deputy coordinator for Bexhill Hub for Ukrainians) Helen Tregidgo (Sec for the St Augustine’s Housing Trust) Cllr Viv Taylor-Gee (Coordinator for Bexhill Hub) Veleryo Dvornyk (Bexhill hub, covering Eastbourne too) 

Photo caption: Pictured with  Fr Robert is Local MP Huw Merriman with Olena and Natalia.

Photo caption Fr Robert with Bexhill Mayor Paul Plim, Natalia and Olena