Bolton welcomes Ukrainian families with special reception

The Mayor of Bolton Cllr Akhtar Zaman was joined by some of the families who have been resettled in the borough, as well as local community groups and partner organisations.

At the reception, the Ukrainians spoke about their experiences since settling in Bolton and thanked everybody involved in helping support the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

The national government scheme matches refugees with sponsors who can offer them a place to stay.

Special reception for Ukrainian refugees

Several local sponsors came forward for the scheme, and Bolton Council has worked with them and community groups to offer support and guidance.

Cllr Zaman said: “Bolton has a long history of supporting people and there has been an amazing local response to helping those affected by the conflict in Ukraine.

“Whether that is through donations to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal or offering a place for refugees to stay, Bolton can be proud of its response to this international crisis.

“It was an honour to welcome the families and hear more about their experiences.”

Yaroslaw Tymchyshyn, chairman of the Bolton Branch of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain, said: “I would like to thank the sponsors for offering accommodation and our council officers for putting support and safeguarding arrangements in place quickly. “I would also like to thank our partners in the voluntary sector who are providing support to sponsors and guests in local communities, and our local health services and schools.

"As the conflict continues, it is anticipated that more Ukrainian refugees will arrive in Bolton and the council along with its partners stand ready to support them.

"It's desperately important we help people in need because some of these people have come from war torn Ukraine and I'm not talking about places in the West, I'm talking about places in the East.

"I know of some people who have come over from Donetsk, one person has come over from Mariupol' and heaven knows what they have been through.

"It's really important for us to look after these people and give them moral support.

"I do know that they are grateful for what we are doing.

"Bolton Council have been by far one of the best councils in the country for support, they have been absolutely magnificent."

Special reception for Ukrainian refugees

Cllr Zaman added he wanted to welcome the Ukrainian community to Bolton.

He said: "We decided to put on the reception firstly because what is happening in Ukraine and the people who have come in to Bolton from that situation.

“We want to assure them that we are here to support them and to make them comfortable in this town so they can live and prosper here like everybody else and also I'd like to thank all the families who have kindly opened their doors.”