Gosport: Scouts gives Ukrainian refugees 'normal childhood'

Artem Horchuck and Yehor Kremnov, both six, moved to Gosport in 2022 after fleeing Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The two boys met after they were both referred to the 6th Gosport Squirrels by their Ukrainian family support worker.

“When they first joined, despite not knowing each other, they very much clung to their joint background,” said Lisa Young, lead volunteer at 6th Gosport Squirrels.

“But just over a year later they are completely different boys.

“They are confident, kind, brave and bold.”

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When Artem started school in England, he was “scared to talk” because he did not know how to speak English.

But now Lisa calls his ability to converse in English “amazing,” saying that the boys have been able to expand their friendship group at Squirrels.

“Yehor and Artem do different kinds of activities with Squirrels outside,” said Mila Kremnova, Yehor’s mother.

“For example, in the spring, we cleaned the beach, and last weekend, we took part in the parade in Gosport. The boys were so proud.

“We’re so happy because our children are in a safe place and they have the opportunity to study and have a normal childhood.”

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Yehor came to England from Kyiv.

“England is really quiet. It’s safe here,” he told the Press Association.

“We don’t have rockets or shooting here. I can sleep more here.”

His mother Mila explained that life is completely different for children in Ukraine now.

She said: “Every day Ukraine is attacked and many, many buildings are demolished, and during this attack, children must be in the basement.

“Teachers must stop lessons, and children need to be underground.

“It is a horrible situation because children don’t have a good life, they don’t study and their mental health is awful. It is very bad for their future.”