Southampton-based Ukrainian refugee devoted to transforming local students’ lives
Over 150,000 Ukrainian refugees have entered the second year of being resettled in the UK since being uprooted due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. But despite the difficulties they have faced, it has not stopped them from devoting their time, energy and passion into becoming key members of the local community. Liudmyla Berezova, a lecturer and researcher from Kyiv, is no exception. Since June last year, the refugee-turned local root of the community has been utilising her 23-years’ experience in education to provide high-quality learning support to Ukrainian children with the help of the local tutoring company, Tutor Doctor.
Liudmyla, along with her son, came to the UK to escape the war early last year. With much of their family still in occupied territory, settling into their new lives in Southampton together has been no mean feat. However, thanks to a collaborative effort from Adie Twining and Suzie Boon, the owners of two local Tutor Doctor businesses, Liudmyla’s talent and passion for education has not been wasted, and has in fact flourished. Now, having recently been appointed as a Visiting Fellow at the Faculty of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Winchester, Liudmyla’s role in the local education system has been instrumental in ensuring refugees have equal access to high-quality, attentive services.
“My life has changed so much over the last 12 months - I certainly never thought I’d be a refugee,” explained Liudmyla. “Before the war began, I worked at the National University of Life Environmental Sciences of Ukraine. So, it was imperative that I found opportunities to use my skillset and give back to the Southampton community, which has been so supportive and helpful since my son and I came here. With Ukrainian children not having access to education when we first arrived in the UK, it was inspiring to see Tutor Doctor act on the needs of the community and organise lessons for children to learn and adapt to their new surroundings.
“Having had this opportunity, more doors have opened for me and I’ve delivered seminars to the network of South Coast universities in Winchester, Portsmouth and Southampton! With the University of Winchester, I’m doing a lot of research into refugee education, bilingual support and promoting an intercultural environment, so it’s amazing to be given a platform to help make a real impact on education in the UK.”
As a driving force behind the success of the local programme, which provides Ukrainian children in the area with free English Speaking Language lessons, Liudmyla has been given a new lease of life in her career. “Inspired” by the response she, her son and her community of refugees have received by residents of Southampton and the surrounding communities, Liudmyla is delighted to have been given the opportunity to give back. Also working shifts in Waitrose along with her role as an education support tutor in a local school, Liudmyla is taking every opportunity to do her bit and to say “thank you” to those who have helped her settle over the last year.
“I truly feel like I’ve become a part of the community that has done so much for the people of Ukraine,” continued Liudmyla. “I’ve learned so much since moving here, and I have been shown how I can use my expertise to help. I’d like to say thank you so much to the incredible community - I’ve felt supported in every walk of life since being here. We’ve had to go through blood, sweat and tears to get here, and it feels amazing to be doing my part to support children in our new reality.”
“We’re delighted to have Liudmyla supporting our efforts to provide English lessons to Ukrainian refugees so they can flourish in school. She brings such energy and enthusiasm to all of the lessons and takes exceptional care of the children, along with the rest of the team. We’re in awe of Liudmyla and the way she has coped with events of the last 12 months, and know how lucky we are to have her,” added Adie.
For further information about Tutor Doctor and the services it provides to the local area, please visit www.tutordoctor.co.uk/southampton-central-salisbury/ and https://www.tutordoctor.co.uk/winchester/
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