Meet Iryna
On May 17 2025, the Public Participation Team at Birmingham City Council visited Sutton Baptist Church, where a Ukrainian community event was taking place. On the day, the team met Iryna Syvolap.
Iryna is a professional and a well-educated worker from Ukraine as well as, a wife and mother, but has found refuge in Birmingham following the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
Iryna shared her story, explaining how she lost everything but, since coming to Birmingham, has found hope and light again.
Prior to 2024, Iryna, her husband, and their two children lived in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, where they led a normal life, going to work and school. Even when the war initially started in 2022, Iryna continued working, and her children attended school, even though the conditions were far from ideal. By the end of 2023, Iryna realised that the situation was not improving, and in January 2024, she made the difficult decision to leave her husband behind and move to Birmingham with her children. Her concerns centred on their safety, the quality of their education, their mental health, and their future.
Thankfully, Iryna had learnt English at school, which made migrating to the UK less difficult. She also wanted her children to improve their English, which was one of the main reasons Birmingham appealed to her. Iryna applied to ‘Homes for Ukraine’, and her application was approved after three months. Following this, she also had to look for a host family for herself and her children. Host families provide temporary accommodation for those in need, offering safe housing, support, and a sense of community for refugees arriving in a new country.
Iryna mentioned that, from day one, her host family were very supportive and helpful. “My host helped me with the process of applying for schools for my children. We applied to 35 schools, and within three weeks, the kids were accepted into a good school close to home. I also found out about South and City College through my host, and I am currently learning English and studying Business Administration. Next, I would like to go to university and then apply for a job within the civil service so I can stay here permanently.”
In just over a year, Iryna and her children have managed to get their own home. Although she is now more independent than when she first arrived, her host is still very helpful.
In terms of community, her children have found the adjustment quite difficult and have expressed that they miss home. However, North Birmingham for Ukraine (NB4U) has created a wonderful community for refugees, and since joining, Iryna has met others in the same position, which has been a source of comfort and strength. This has also had a positive impact on her children. NB4U organises trips, events, ESOL classes, and has a WhatsApp community that provides daily support for those in need.
Although life has changed so much for Iryna and her family, she mentioned, “I now see a future for myself and my children in Birmingham, and although our visa is only valid until 2027, I am actively working towards staying here permanently.”
Page last updated: 18 June 2025
