Communities across the world will observe Ukraine Independence Day (24th August) marking 32 years since the country became independent from the Soviet Union.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, more than 360 refugees have fled their war-torn homes and made their way to South Kesteven.
As part of the Lincolnshire Resettlement Partnership, working in tandem with other local authorities and a range of public sector agencies and charitable organisations, South Kesteven District Council continues to support residents as they welcome Ukrainian refugees into their homes and communities.
This is the scheme where residents offer space in their family home to evacuees.
Cllr Rhea Rayside, Cabinet Member for People and Communities, said: "Sadly the devastation continues, with Ukraine Independence Day a reminder that our support is still needed for so many individuals and families fleeing the conflict.
"More families have been welcomed into our District than any other in Lincolnshire and it has been wonderful to see such an unwavering response from South Kesteven."
To ensure guests arriving in South Kesteven can safely settle into their new homes, the Council inspects each host property to ensure that it is clean, safe and in a reasonable state to accommodate guests.
Amongst other safety measures, the inspection ensures that each property has adequate space, working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and gas safety certificates.
The Council has recently completed its 200th accommodation inspection for new hosts wishing to join the scheme.
Cllr Rayside said: "It is wonderful to see more families still interested in hosting or renewing their existing hosting arrangements and we encourage more hosts to come forward if they can help."
"The scheme is not just for evacuees that have not yet arrived in the UK; hosts can also support Ukrainians already in the District who need to move on from their initial sponsorship arrangement.
"They may be settled in their local communities, working or with their children enrolled in school so there is still a real and continuing need for hosts across South Kesteven able to open up their homes."
Most hosting arrangements last for a minimum of six months or 12 months, however, Ukrainians arriving under the scheme can live and work in the UK for up to three years. During this time, they can access healthcare, public funds, employment and other support.
For some Ukrainians, their host families have supported them to access the private rental sector and take their next steps into independence.
This is what happened when Krys Szokalo from Billingborough welcomed his extended family, Yevdokiia, Yuliia and Lisa into his home.
Krys was the first of four children born to his parents - who were themselves both Polish refugees. His parents were each given the opportunity to come to England in the 1940s, where they met, settled and eventually started their family.
He said: "My parents and my siblings have never forgotten the generosity of the government in offering us a life in England.
"I have been lucky to have had a successful career and being able to afford to help now in retirement, my wife, my two daughters and I felt it only right that we should give the same opportunity to one of the many Ukrainian families now suffering under the brutality of the Russian regime."
Lisa is just five years old and has been living in South Kesteven with her mother Yuliia and her grandmother Yevdokiia since she turned four. They were rescued from Dnipro in South-Eastern Ukraine in May 2022.
Having doubled in size overnight, the extended family worked together to ensure everyone was comfortable and they could settle into their new way of living. They shared responsibilities for cooking, with alternate days of English and Ukrainian cuisine.
Krys used his basic knowledge of the Ukrainian language, as well as Google Translate, to ensure they could communicate together and support the family to learn to speak English.
He said: "Our attitude to hosting is quite simple, we treat Yevdokiia as a sister, Yuliia as a daughter and Lisa as a granddaughter. They are not our guests but our extended family."
After supporting his extended family through 10 months of hosting, they have now moved into their own privately rented accommodation, just minutes from Krys' house.
Cllr Rayside said: "Krys' incredibly moving story from what inspired him to become a host to seeing his new extended family integrate into their local community and live both independently yet so closely is testament to how successful the Homes for Ukraine scheme can be.
"Even if you aren't able to accommodate families in your home, you can still play your part in creating an inclusive and supportive community where Ukrainians feel welcome when they arrive."
There are still many opportunities to support Ukrainian people by signing up to become a host. The scheme is open to anyone who can offer suitable accommodation for a minimum of six months.
An optional £350 monthly 'thank you' payment is available for hosts who are successfully matched, rising to £500 per month for guests who have been in the county for over a year.
For residents with capacity to support who would be interested in hosting, please visit https://lincolnshire.connecttosupport.org/advice-for-ukrainian-arrivals/sign-up-as-a-host/ to register interest.