A Russian mum has vowed to help Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war zone learn English and adapt to life in the UK.

Masha Balanovich received an outpouring of support when she made the offer over social media.

The 28-year-old is working with Bromley Council to find a space and get lessons set up so those escaping from the war in Ukraine can get to grips with the language quickly.

Masha moved to Beckenham three years ago with her family and said it was crucial Ukrainian families can settle and feel at ease when they arrive.

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She told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “People who come here will have questions like ‘How do I get on the train? Do I have to buy a ticket? How does it work?’ As in Ukraine and other countries it’s just different.

“It’s super important [to make Ukraine refugees feel welcome]. They come to a country with traditions and a set of rules which is absolutely nothing compared to Ukraine. They don’t have jobs, their kids don’t have schools. And they need to get integrated.

“When I first came to this country, I came from Moscow. It was definitely nothing like what they are experiencing now, as I didn’t lose my home or anything, but it was really hard as you don’t know how it all works. If you’re born here, it’s embedded into your DNA.”

She added in her social media post: “I’m a Russian native which is good linguistically as Ukrainian and Russian are quite close.”

Masha, who works in public relations, has received plenty of support from locals since putting out the Facebook message. She has a bachelor’s degree in linguistics, used to teach English as a student and keen to help refugees get to grips with the basics of the language.

But she did warn in her Facebook post she believed it may “disturb some” that she was a Russian native.

She said: “I just put that as people coming from Ukraine now, they are in great stress and experiencing all kinds of emotion. [I don’t want to] disturb them even more.

“It’s not like someone hated me for being Russian or anything, nothing like that. But I understand some Ukrainians could feel that way and I would understand that.”

She added the community had been supportive in light of recent events. 

Masha said: “In my bubble, people have been super supportive – all the neighbours, parents at my son’s school, my friends’ bubble as well. Online I did see photos of shops hanging signs saying that they wouldn’t allow Russians in. I haven’t seen it in real life though. There are always people who hate others, now it’s just another excuse to express it.”

Masha is hoping to have lessons up and running in a month’s time but said it could take longer.

Bromley Council has been contacted for comment.

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