Last week, we were delighted to hear Debbie Ronchetti had been presented a Heart Hero Award for her work with the Ukrainian Support Group in Welwyn Hatfield.
In March 2022, as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine unfolded, the Homes for Ukraine scheme emerged, offering Ukrainians refuge in the UK. Women and children started to arrive in Hertfordshire and a compassionate response from a community champion in Welwyn Garden City took place. Debbie stepped forward, driven by the urge to support and uplift those who have faced a traumatic experience – not only the destruction and devastation that war can bring but also arriving in an unfamiliar country, being placed in the homes of strangers and having to adapt to a new way of life with little or no use of the English language. Having to deal with all this trauma, Debbie knew it was going to be an emotional and challenging task.
Debbie set up the Facebook Group, called “Welwyn Garden City – Supporting Ukrainian Guests and their Sponsoring Hosts” which became a hub for sharing information and rallying support. Undeterred by initial setbacks in securing a meeting point, during the summer of 2022 she opened up her home as a place for Ukrainians and hosts to gather, converse and start to form a unit, bringing back a piece of the community they once had and longed for.
The meetings also provided a space to pick up donated essentials and provide up-to-date information on help available. Often, help was needed outside the borough of Welwyn Hatfield in other parts of Hertfordshire and she helped where she could.
Through partnerships with organisations like the Welwyn Hatfield Community and Voluntary Services (WHCVS) funding applications for essentials like school uniforms, footwear, food, household items became more accessible. Often, having an organisation to advise on areas like governance, terms of references, financial and other crisis and general support, helps to get the message out there that someone in the community is doing good and needs your support.
Debbie has relentlessly ploughed through getting the group to where it is today; regular coffee morning and craft sessions have enabled ideas to flourish and provide room to discuss what extra support is needed.
The group continues to evolve, finding new ways to support and uplift its Ukrainian members through:
- Excursions around the UK to learn about the history of different places.
- Aid drives to send supplies back to family and friends still living in Ukraine.
- Employment, housing and education advocacy to make their stay more comfortable and less demeaning.
The journey hasn’t been without challenges. Reminders of the ongoing conflict – stories that travel from home, News of fatalities, grief and struggles to survive cause trauma and anxiety to linger.
The future remains uncertain but one thing remains clear: the bonds this group has managed to forge will be one the Ukrainian people that reside in Hertfordshire will always remember.
Debbie; we know you have been fully supported by your husband Marco, who has often transported people to job interviews, appointments and been there whenever you need. Your collective generosity is truly commendable and we congratulate you on your achievement.