From Dnipro to Denbighshire

The full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia was officially mobilised in February 2022, leaving Ukrainians close to the fighting under constant threat. Around 8 million Ukrainians were displaced within their country by June, and more than 8.2 million had fled the country by May 2023. The fighting has caused the largest refugee and humanitarian crisis within Europe since the 1990’s, with many countries offering a safe haven to Ukrainians, including Wales.

Oksana, who is 26, is one of the people who has found safety within Wales and now lives with a sponsor within Denbighshire. Oksana is from a village close to Dnipro, which is near the Donbas region and is one of Ukraine's largest cities.

Oksana studied computer systems and networks at college in Dnipro and worked as a system analyst within the city for 4 years. She is now working at Denbighshire County Council and is on a 12-week placement as a Climate Change Support Officer, helping to process important climate change data.

Oksana had no intention of abandoning her residence in Ukraine. However, when a rocket struck a nearby street, causing a powerful tremor that overturned everything on her bedside table, she had a sudden realization that the war had reached her doorstep. Consequently, she made the decision not to take the risk of trying to relocate to a safer location in Ukraine. During April of 2022, she escaped from Ukraine, while her mother and sister chose to stay behind.

She said: “You don’t worry about the war until it knocks on your window. In March of 2022, I was woken up to a bright light outside my window. It was a rocket. When it hit, my bed moved and everything on my bedside table fell off. When we watched the news later that night, it said that the rocket hit my neighbour’s house, which is only a two-minute walk away. I still can’t believe it’s happening. Today I wake up and get dressed and my Mum and Sister are still over there, and the war is still going on”.

By chance, she came across information online stating that Britain was welcoming refugees from Ukraine through the ‘Homes for Ukraine’ initiative. She also discovered a Ukrainian woman on Facebook who had been residing in Britain for a considerable period. She managed to secure a sponsor for her in Wales.

Oksana reached out to her sponsor, who she had been communicating with through Facebook and relying on Google Translate for translation assistance. Together, they collaborated to gather the necessary documents. As Oksana waited for her visa, which takes three weeks to process, she worked to earn some money. Amidst the sound of warning sirens, she sat in the safety of a hall and worked, anxiously awaiting the approval of her visa.

Oksana personally witnessed missiles being fired at Dnipro airport from the balcony of her apartment. Describing the experience, she said:

“It felt like a nightmarish scene. Multiple rockets were launched, and I could see it all from my balcony. They were like fireworks, like something out of a movie. Concerned about the worsening situation, I sent a video to my sponsor, informing them that my departure might be in jeopardy. My sponsor went above and beyond, helping with the processing of documents and even reaching out to the local radio for assistance”.

Due to the destruction of the airport, Oksana had to travel to the opposite side of Ukraine by train to reach Poland. The train journey took 24 hours and took her to Lviv. Along the way, she encountered another train that had been bombed, further highlighting the gravity of the situation.

Once at Lviv, Oksana took a bus over the Polish border to Warsaw. There, she said she was so happy to see volunteers who were handing out food to the newly arrived Ukrainians:

“They were handing out soup and fruit. I was so happy because I had barely eaten anything for two days, I can’t explain how happy I was”.

Oksana stayed in Poland whilst she waited for her final visa documents to come through. The documents luckily came through a few hours before her flight was departing for Liverpool.

She expressed: "The moment I landed, I paused to admire the crimson sky and the sunset casting its glow over Liverpool. Captivated by its beauty, I couldn't resist capturing the scene in a photograph. Soon after, my sponsor greeted me at the airport, holding up a large sign bearing my name, embracing me warmly, and checking if I was alright”.

Upon settling in Wales, Oksana found employment at a local pub and enthusiastically engaged in English language classes.

Visiting London had been a long-held dream of hers since childhood, and to make her birthday extra special, her sponsors surprised her by arranging a visit to the capital. It proved to be an unforgettable experience. Reflecting on the situation, Oksana shared: "I had been yearning for this dream since my early years, but it's bittersweet to realize that it has come true under such circumstances".

In addition to exploring London, she has been actively discovering various parts of the UK, including a recent excursion to the Isle of Wight, accompanied by her sponsor.

On coming to Wales, she said: “My favourite thing about living in Wales is the fact that I am safe. There is a little gym in the garage that I like to use and I also like taking leisurely walks, capturing picturesque moments through photography. There is a garden at my sponsor’s house that is so pretty, with flowers and a big old tree. I even rearranged my bed to have a view of it. I have a deep appreciation for nature, and Wales offers a splendid backdrop for my passion. Moreover, the people here are genuinely kind-hearted".

Working Denbighshire assisted Oksana to find work and she referred herself for support with gaining employment and training. Tom was allocated as her mentor and met with Oksana and helped her find a placement with the Council where she now works as a Climate Change Support Officer and said: “I was looking for a job like this for a while and the interview for the placement was exactly a year from when I first came to Wales. It is a similar job to what I did in Ukraine, I work with data, however it is slightly different data. I like the job and my team is nice”.

Working Denbighshire will continue to help Oksana find other placements in the future.

To find out how you can help and support the people of Ukraine, please go to our website.

Make an impact through volunteering

The Council’s Edge of Care Mental Health Team are looking for volunteers to support the mental health and wellbeing of others in the southern areas of Denbighshire. The aim of the project is to help reduce isolation and improve mental health and well-being.

The team welcomes applications from anyone over the age of 18 who feels that they have some spare time to spend with others. The team will look to match volunteers to citizens based on shared interests and hobbies.

Volunteers don’t have to be qualified professionals and can just be a caring person with or without experience who would like to support others. A package of training will be provided, and the volunteer coordinator will be there to support potential volunteers throughout the volunteering experience.

Volunteers can support citizens by attending social groups, going for walks, catching up over a cup of tea or even a phone call. Many of the citizens have experienced significant isolation and so the team is open to creative ideas to help to increase socialisation and well-being.

Councillor Elen Heaton, Lead Member for Health and Social Care said: “This is a transformative project that we should all be proud of in Denbighshire, and it is the volunteers who are vital in ensuring its success.

"If you feel you are able to support the well-being of others in the community, then please get in touch as it is incredibly rewarding for all involved.

"The impact that a cup of tea and a chat, or even a simple phone call can have on a person’s well-being is truly remarkable.”

A Denbighshire citizen, who has been helped through the service said: “I just love it. It’s been a massive positive step in my life coming here to this group”.

For more information and to register your interest please click here.

Problems with your internet? The Council’s Digital Officer is here to help!

Residents and businesses in Denbighshire can benefit from free advice and assistance from the Council’s Digital Officer who can find the best solution for internet issues they may be experiencing due to a slow connection.

With an increasing number of residents using technology to work from home, and with many services, such as banking and utilities now online, it is essential that people can access a reliable service to meet their daily needs.

Philip Burrows, the Council’s Digital Officer said, “Some residents have slow or unreliable internet connections, and that’s where I come in. I can help by diagnosing the problem and then work with residents to fix it, with the aim of improving the quality of their internet connection.

“We find that people experience a range of issues, for example, some may be fairly straightforward problems that require a tweak to their home network. However, others may have more complex issues which will need to be resolved with a third party.”

Some communities may experience problems which require intervention by Openreach, the company which maintains and provides the major telephony and internet network system around the UK. However, individuals cannot contact Openreach directly, but the Council’s Digital Officer is able to do this on their behalf. 

Philip goes on to say, “I can be the go-between to hopefully take the stress out of sorting these types of problems. I can also advise on how to source funding to set up fibre community partnerships if there are specific communities who are all experiencing similar problems. I’m happy to advise any resident or business in Denbighshire on any topic related to their internet connection.”

Councillor Emrys Wynne, Lead Member for Welsh Language, Culture and Heritage said, “Ensuring better digital networks is essential and supporting communities to achieve this is a key priority in the Council’s Corporate Plan. Denbighshire is committed to helping residents to understand the options and solutions for improved internet connectivity – crucial for the digital age we live in today. I encourage anyone who is experiencing difficulties with their internet to contact Philip who will be able to advise on the best course of action.”

If you’re experiencing slow internet speeds or have trouble connecting to the internet in your home, contact the Council’s Digital Officer on communitydevelopment@denbighshire.gov.uk

Denbighshire Talking Points are here to help

Talking Points are a way for Denbighshire residents to find out what help and support is available in their local area, to help improve their health and well-being.

The service provides information about what is available in an area, such as community services, activities or support groups. The service is set up in a number of the libraries around the county, with the team attending a different library each day of the week.

The Talking Points service offers a face-to-face conversation with a Community Navigator about what matters and what is important, as well as an opportunity to share knowledge, skills and experiences to improve the well-being of others within the community.

There is no need to book an appointment to go to a Talking Point and residents can simply turn up at a Talking Point when one is taking place. However, appointments can still be booked if requested. This will help the team make sure the right people are available to provide the best information, advice or assistance.

The scheme involves a number of key services within the county, including Working Denbighshire, the CAB, volunteering services and many more.

The Talking Points locations are as below:

• Every Monday (except bank holidays) - St Asaph Library, 9.30 – 12.30
• Every Tuesday - Rhyl Library, 9.30 – 3.30
• Every Wednesday - Denbigh Library and Llangollen Library, 9.30 – 1.00
• Every Thursday - Rhuddlan Library, 2.00 – 4.30
• Every Friday (except bank holidays) - Prestatyn Library and Ruthin Library, 9.30 – 1.00

Community Navigator, Jeff Jones said: “Talking points is there for any resident who feels like they need some help. We work with a number of key services and can help signpost people to the one that best fits their situation. We are set up in different libraries throughout the county and operate each day of the week”.

Councillor Elen Heaton, Lead Member for Health and Social Care said: “This is a vital service that ensures that Denbighshire residents can get the help they need. Talking Points are easily accessible at Denbighshire’s local libraries, where the staff are all very friendly and are ready to have a chat. People’s lives have been transformed through these Talking Points, so I would urge anyone who feels they need some help, or even just some advice, to pop in or book an appointment.”

For more information, please go to our website.

Pilot of new AHP collections for LL16 and LL17 postcodes

Denbighshire’s new Absorbent Hygiene Products (AHP) collections will be launched in a pilot scheme from September 2023.

The new scheme will initially be available to residents with LL16 or LL17 postcodes but will be rolled out to the rest of the county at a later date.

This free weekly service has been launched to reduce the amount of waste in residents’ black bins, as currently, 20% of this is AHP waste. It is part of wider work the Council is undertaking to improve recycling rates in the county.

Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport said, “We’re starting by collecting this waste separately now so that when a contract is in place with a recycling facility, we’ll be ready to recycle it straight away. In future, this waste could be used to produce a variety of new products, which might include fibreboards and acoustic panels for floors and walls, and as an engineering material used in road surfaces.”

He went on to say, “While it’s great that we’re looking at even more things we can recycle, we also encourage residents to consider other ways of reducing their waste. One way of doing this is using reusable nappies which is a cheaper alternative to disposable nappies. The Council offers a reusable nappy voucher scheme to help residents by providing £25 worth of vouchers to buy reusable nappies.”

The new AHP collection service will be available to households with babies or children in nappies, and adults who use incontinence products. Registration for the service will open on Monday, 3 July with collections starting from Monday, 11 September.

Further information about the new service, what will be collected and how to register is available on the Council’s website. 

 

New operator of Queen’s Market in Rhyl announced

The Council’s Cabinet have approved the award of the contract to operate the Queen's Market in Rhyl to the Mikhail Hotel & Leisure Group. The Queen’s Market will be a catalyst for the regeneration of Rhyl town centre and will provide a mixed-use hall, offering a collection of artisan eateries, retail and events space.

The development includes 16 individual food and retail units, a double-sided bar, a large flexible events space and an external area capable of holding events, markets or seating.

Following a rigorous and competitive tender process, the Cabinet have agreed that the Mikhail Hotel & Leisure Group are to be awarded the contract to be the operator at the premises. The Council will now work with the Mikhail Hotel & Leisure Group on agreeing and signing the contract to be the operator of the Queen’s Market. 

Construction on the site began in August of last year, after Bodelwyddan-based Wynne Construction were appointed by the Council to carry out the design and construction.

The work is nearing completion, with the building set to be handed over from Wynne Construction on the 17 of July.

The Council will now work with the Mikhail Hotel & Leisure Group to achieve their vision for the interior of the Market. Working in collaboration, the bar, hot food kiosks and market kiosks will now be fitted out.  A strategy and target date for opening the facility will also be negotiated and agreed with the operator. The Council will also work with the Mikhail Hotel & Leisure Group on identifying and securing tenants for the units.

Recent major projects in the area have delivered multi-million pound private and public sector investments, including:

• Renovation of the Pavilion Theatre and creation of the '1891' Restaurant
• Two national branded hotels
• A co-working space for new enterprises
• The SC2 Waterpark and Ninja Tag
• The Pont y Ddraig Bridge and Harbour improvements

Councillor Jason McLellan, Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Economic Growth and Tackling Deprivation said: “We are committed to the long-term development of Rhyl, with the new market being an integral part of this overall vision. This will bring multiple new job opportunities and will offer the residents of Denbighshire with a unique retail offering, as well visitors who come to Rhyl from further afield.

"The Queen’s Market has been the centrepiece of Rhyl since 1902 and has provided a variety of uses for the town. The building has a sentimental status, which is to be enhanced through the redevelopment of this historic site.

"There has been a £65 million investment to regenerate Rhyl for residents and businesses alike, focused on leisure, commerce, and community projects. The Queens market is yet another step in these developments, which will offer a new and exciting space for the people of Rhyl, and Denbighshire as a whole”.

Andrew Mikhail, Chairman of Mikhail Hotel & Leisure Group said: "I am delighted that Mikhail Hotel & Leisure Group has been named as the operator of Queens Market in Rhyl. We are determined to deliver excellence in every aspect of Queens Market.

"We have demonstrated our ability to create thriving destinations, and now we embark on a new chapter of transforming this venue into a vibrant hub of leisure, hospitality, and community.

"With passion, innovation, and a commitment to exceptional experiences, we will strive to surpass expectations and bring to life a market that captures the essence of Rhyl's unique spirit. Together, we will write a remarkable success story and leave a lasting legacy for generations to come”.

For more information, please visit our website.