Wells Welcome Hub is seeing a stark increase in demand for its services from Ukrainians, their sponsors and other displaced people.

Operating every Monday between 10am-1pm, the hub serves as the first port of call for those needing assistance with adapting to British life.

This includes handling official documentation, finding suitable education for their children, seeking employment, and securing housing, and finding opportunities to learn English.

One of the users, Ukrainian resident Iryna, said: "If I have a problem, I can go to the drop-in and it will either be solved then or they will send me to the right person who can solve it."

The initiative, which has been active since September 2022, was borne of requests from local residents for help with families escaping conflict in Ukraine.

Somerset County Gazette: The hub serves as the first port of call for those needing assistance with adapting to British life

Wells Community Network oversees the operation, with financial support from the central government, in association with Wells City Council, refugee charity CHARIS in Taunton, and Somerset Council.

Moreover, it serves multiple nationalities, such as Syrians, Kurds, and Eritreans, with a keen interest in reaching more community members in need of its services.

Any families or individuals in need of support are guided to the Portway Annexe, the hub's location.

Hub manager, Anna Tumanova, said: "We know how much the Hub’s work is valued by those who use it.

"We’d love to welcome more people in the local community who would benefit from what we do, if only they knew that we exist."

Contacts for further information are refhub@wells.gov.uk, refassist@wells.gov.uk or phone 07821 811737 / 07553 359742.