A mother-of-two from Ukraine who was forced to flee her homeland due to the conflict with Russia has talked about how she has found a new life in a historic town near Ripon and Harrogate.

Olha Honcharuk arrived in the UK from Ukraine in December 2022 with her two young children and her mother after escaping the full-scale invasion of her country by the Russians.

Facing the challenge of starting a new life in an unfamiliar country, Mrs Honcharuk, who now lives in Boroughbridge, turned to courses provided by North Yorkshire Council to improve her English and achieved qualifications that would help her to further her career.

Her determination and hard work paid off and after starting at entry level, she went on to achieve a level three qualification in accounting.

Olha Honcharuk, who arrived in the UK from Ukraine in December 2022 with her two young children, is among 22 winners in North Yorkshire Council’s annual adult learning awards. (Picture contributed)

placeholder image — Olha Honcharuk, who arrived in the UK from Ukraine in December 2022 with her two young children, is among 22 winners in North Yorkshire Council’s annual adult learning awards. (Picture contributed)

Mrs Honcharuk is among 22 winners in council’s annual adult learning awards which are held to recognise people have learned new skills, changed careers, improved their wellbeing and pursued new interests.

“When I arrived in the UK, everything was new and unfamiliar,” she said.

"I had to rebuild my life with my children and mother from the beginning.

“The council’s courses gave me the opportunity to improve my English, gain valuable qualifications and, most importantly, build my confidence.

North Yorkshire Council’s adult learning and skills service has delivered more than 6,000 enrolments since August last year, supporting more than 3,050 residents to develop new skills and opportunities. (Picture contributed)

"The support I received from tutors helped me progress from being new to the country to working and planning the next stage of my career.

“Winning this award is a real honour and shows that with the right support and determination, it is possible to create new opportunities.”

North Yorkshire Council’s adult learning and skills service has delivered more than 6,000 enrolments since August last year.

Mrs Honcharuk is now employed as a finance officer at Boroughbridge Primary School and is planning to continue her professional development by studying towards a Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) qualification.

She received the Employability and Work Readiness Award.

North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for education, learning and skills, Coun Annabel Wilkinson, said the award winners demonstrated “the life-changing impact that adult learning can have”.

For more information about adult learning courses, visit: https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/adult-education-and-training