Case Study

“It felt like I was watching a movie, it didn’t feel real.” That was Kateryna’s reaction on the day the war broke out in Ukraine. After being woken by a loud noise, she logged on to her computer to see a colleague had written: “It’s started.” Outside, the streets were full of people queuing for supplies. Not wanting to be alone, Kateryna grabbed her laptop and some documents before travelling to Kyiv to join her mother. She recalls huddling in a freezing basement with around 50 people, talking, singing and praying through the night. 

  

That initial disbelief was soon replaced by fear, and Kateryna’s family and friends urged her to leave Ukraine. She fled to Germany, then Poland, before seeking refuge in the UK. While settling with a host family in Bolton, Kateryna experienced post-traumatic stress disorder. She was worrying about her mother, who has diabetes, and was also missing her father and brother. “It changes you psychologically,” Kateryna, now 35, says. “You have this pain inside which you cannot express. I was waking up at night because my thoughts were in Ukraine and I was praying nobody would die. I got very strong headaches and my host family were worried because I just wanted to stay in my room.” Kateryna’s hosts encouraged her to invite her mother to stay, and it was a huge comfort to know she was safe and could rest. 

  

With a background in nursing and a passion for helping people, Kateryna was eager to find a job with the NHS. She enrolled on a college course in social care and mental health. She tried to apply for jobs and voluntary roles but was unsuccessful as she struggled with written English and filling in forms. In April 2024 she joined the Restart Scheme, delivered by Ingeus, for tailored support to find a job. Kateryna’s Restart Advisor Sam helped her to produce a professional CV and craft a personal statement explaining why she wanted to work in medicine. “Sam was brilliant, she was very helpful, she understood me from the start,” says Kateryna. “She helped me to search for jobs with the NHS and we started filling in applications and other documents. I really appreciated her support, I couldn’t have done it alone because it was really hard for me.” 

  

Sam referred Kateryna to an English functional skills course to help her improve her written English. She passed this with flying colours, also sailing through a maths course. With Sam’s help, Kateryna secured a voluntary role at a local hospice. After applying for a job as apprentice theatre assistant at a hospital in Wigan, Kateryna was offered an interview. Sam arranged a mock interview and referred Kateryna to Working Wardrobe in Bolton for suitable clothing. After plenty of careful preparation with Sam, Kateryna got the job! She is now working three days a week at the hospital and studying at college for a healthcare assistant qualification. Ingeus provided Kateryna with a bus pass for her first month of work. 

  

“I enjoy my job, I have a very good team, it’s brilliant,” says Kateryna. “I like getting up in the morning to go to work.” She and her mother now live in a council house in Bolton and are enjoying having their own place. “My mum is very happy for me now that I’m working and she loves England. I was worried about how she would feel but she is going to college and studying English.” Kateryna adds: “I would have struggled to get this job without Restart, I am really grateful for their support. I always enjoy coming to the office, the team is very friendly and they’re all doing a great job. I am also really grateful for all the support that the UK has provided to the Ukrainian people. Everyone has been so friendly and helpful.” 

  

Restart Advisor Sam could not be more pleased with Kateryna for everything she has achieved in the face of adversity. Sam says: “Kateryna really is the kindest soul who wanted to continue giving back to her new community despite going through her own traumas back in her home country. I’m very proud to have worked with Kateryna.”