The Homes for Ukraine scheme has been operating in Coventry for the past three years, and during that time dozens of people and families have been supported in the city.
They include 20-year-old Bohdan Bilokur, from Uman, central Ukraine, who was the first person to arrive in Coventry at the start of the Russian invasion into his country.
Emmanuel Hemmings, his Coventry Host, is proud of his relationship with Bohdan and his family.
“In 2018 I was working in Ukraine for a British company and that's how my connection with Ukraine was established,” explained Emmanual.
“I was working in Lviv and my colleagues were talking about Crimea. I remember saying then, well, you know, if anything happens we’ll keep in touch and I'll offer to help.
He said: “When the war did break out, a colleague of mine who works as a teacher at Coventry University, gave me details of a website where people in England could offer help - and where Bohden and I connected.
Bohdan recalls, when the war started. He said: “Obviously my family were very upset. They didn't expect it. We were shocked. We had seen the bombings and rockets, we were reading the news, and it was terrible.”
Boden said that for the first two weeks his family were just terrified. They were sitting at home all the time with no electricity most of the time. That’s when they realised it was becoming very dangerous for me as a teenager to be in Ukraine.
He added: “I went to one specific website to look for any English people who could help him to leave Ukraine.”
Emmanual said that he arranged with Bohdan for him to leave his home before he reached 18. He said: “Any delay could land him at the border after his 18th birthday, and in wartime laws can be made very quickly that could affect that.
Bohdan said: “I left Uman and I travelled to the border with Poland where I spent one night. Then I took a train to Krakow. I got my visa. Manny came to meet me the next day in Krakow. That was really very nice of him.”
Emmanual added: “Once he had his Visa we booked him the seat on the plane and he was in the UK on Sunday night and we were treated magnificently by the border police and immigration.”
After arriving in London they drove to Coventry the same night.
Bohdan explained: “I had a warm welcome, lots of people were friendly with me and I could go through the queue with no waiting.”
Bohdan had arrived on his birthday. He said: “All these people came on my birthday. They gave me some presents, for example, a book of Coventry, 100 places to visit in Coventry. Also, a Paddington bear.
“At first, I was just exploring Coventry and I started to improve my speaking English. It was quite a stressful time for me - understanding lots of new things.”
Things have changed a lot for him in two years. Bohden starts his third year at Coventry University in October. He says it’s been challenging but he’s doing quite well.
He said: “I’ve also worked in retail in supermarkets at the Coop and The Range. I’ve a driving test booked in August. I'm doing practise tests too.
Reflecting on life in Ukraine he said: “My family don't have electricity for 4-5 hours per day - even more. They are struggling financially. I try to help them.”
Boden’s hope is that his mum and sister will come over and watch him graduate at Coventry Cathedral. That he says will be a proud day.