Anniversary is not the right word

February 23, 2023

Today proves a time for us as an organisation and as individuals to reflect and pause, as it marks the year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. A year onwards, it is hard to bring to words the feelings associated with the mass amount of displacement that has affected our clients all over the world, and that has occurred and continues to occur on Ukrainian soil. For my own part, it seems to be a time to take a moment to be silent and give thanks to each and every client that has crossed through GARAS’s doors this past year. Your strength, your resilience, and your bravery will never be something to be overlooked or undervalued. It is a gift to know your stories, to share our days with you, and to work within your communities. In the year ahead, we continue to look forward to supporting all refugees and asylum-seekers within the Gloucestershire community. Today, we take time to remember and remind ourselves of the gravity of the sacrifices that you and your families have made to be here.

Julianne Holcombe