A COMMUNITY group run by dedicated volunteers has been helping Ukrainian refugees settle in.

Members of Grange-over-Sands Community Foodshare have helped over 15 households since they started their support work in April last year.

The group received funding from the National Lottery to support refugees in Grange.

Since April, the group has created a weekly meeting every Wednesday from 5pm until 7pm for the refugees to connect with each other.

Rahina Borthwick, project coordinator of Grange Over Sands Community Foodshare, said that for them 'it is like having a family.'

"The Ukrainian refugees meet, chat, and have a meal together. We have a couple of local restaurants that support us with food," she said.

"It is a really good way for a group of people who have no contact with the community to create contact with them. 

"We also have parties with them. We have celebrated Ukrainian Independence Day, Christmas, New Year, and a Eurovision Song Contest Party. 

"Any opportunity we can to just respond to what they ask and what they want to celebrate, we will do it."

She added: "One of them is going to be a volunteer for us because her English has gotten so good - and she is about to become a staff member."

The group also offers English lessons every week from intermediate to advanced levels.

Last year workers from the Grange Foodshare and community members raised thousands of pounds for those fleeing the conflict, which began on February 24 when Russia invaded the country.

Rahina said: "Some of our members are Polish and from a village 40 miles from the Ukrainian border. 

"They go home every year and were just about to visit in April 2022 when the war broke out. Unfortunately, there were no Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in there helping so our local community raised £21,000 in six weeks, and that money went with them to Poland, and they set up a food community there."

For more information about Grange Over Sands Community Food Group, visit their Facebook page.