Sofiia Volovyk - Pilgrimage to the Peak - find out more
About Sofiia Volovyk
Where were you born?
I was born in Kharkiv and I graduated from Kharkiv university having studied Academy of Art and Design. I lived in Kiev, rented apartment by myself.
Where did you work?
In a company, which was official distributor of New Balance in Ukraine. I was a retail marketing manager, working and developing marketing strategies and materials for 27 stores.
Where did you live?
I lived near Dnepr river, I was an active member of walking community. Walking 100km without sleep/food/water twice in the last 2 years. As well as hiking a lot. I was also involved in different projects in Ukraine and abroad. I travelled a lot (Switzerland, France. I had a lot of friends who were running businesses in Ukraine.
Why did you want to leave?
I thought that I could stay in Ukraine and fight physically but I lost connection with my mum and sister. They were in Kharkiv, Ukraine under the bombs for 3 days. After I heard from them again they were without food and water and among soldiers. I realised that I would like to meet in a place where we can have stable connection and safety. Then our journey began.
Me, my mum and sister travelled in evacuation trains to Lviv from Kharkiv. When I was in the crowded train I spoke with different people who said ‘we don’t know what will be, but we know we are powerful enough.’ That inspired me a lot and I realised that I would like to help Ukrainians to stand with ethnic identity whenever I could.
What was your journey to Swindon?
From Kiev we travelled to Lviv by evacuation train. Then I crossed the border into Poland by foot. Then by evacuation bus to Germany. We then to train to Belgium and a flight to Ireland. Finally, after getting our visas from UK Home Office me and my family started our journey to England.
What have you been doing since arriving in UK?
From my first days in Swindon I realised I had a desire and flow of energy to put in to volunteering. So my first days I was active at The Table as a translator. Also at the Humanitarian aid for Ukraine as a helper to sort things and prepare boxes for transportation to Ukraine. I’ve spoken with Ukrainians trying to support everyone.
Finally, I had a conversation with active person and Swindon businessman Kris Talikowski and shared my thoughts and ideas about forming a Ukrainian community in Swindon, which can help all Ukrainians who come to socialise and find their own place in England.
That was a moment when I received support from local community and Kris said, ‘I had some thoughts about this too, so let’s start.’
What are you doing now?
I’m the Chair of Swindon Welcomes Ukraine with a great team, consisting of both British citizens and Ukrainians and we do our best to raise up cultural spirits and build bridges between United Kingdom community and Ukraine.
The committee has supported the Pattern Church with its weekly meals, we’ve set up a Free Bikes programme to gift bikes to our new guests, plus we’ve shared the stories of Ukrainians in Swindon thanks to our partners at Swindon 105.5 and BBC Wiltshire.
