A Story of Resilience and Determination
In this inspiring story, we follow the journey of Dmytro, who fled his homeland; Ukraine, at the age of 14, due to war but has since built a new life in the UK. From waking up to the shocking news of war, enduring air raids, and living in basement shelters to adapting to a completely new culture, language, and education system, his story is one of courage and perseverance.
Despite the challenges of leaving Ukraine in 2022 and settling into an unfamiliar country, he quickly adapted – learning English, excelling in school, and securing work experience at a fire training centre. His passion for the fire service led to a memorable prom entrance in a fire engine, hands-on charity work with Norfolk Fire and Rescue, and ultimately enrolling in a Uniformed Public Services course to prepare for his dream career.
Now 17, as he works toward his future in fire safety, Dmytro reflects on the cultural differences, the kindness he has encountered, and his journey of personal growth. His story is a powerful reminder that no matter how difficult life becomes, determination and the right opportunities can lead to a brighter future.
To read the full interview, see below…
Thinking back to before the war broke out, what was life like?
In terms of education, I wasn’t someone who liked studying. I was really naughty, and I didn’t like school, especially Maths. Life was much better back then. I enjoyed spending time with my family and friends because it was peaceful.
When the war officially started in 2022, what was your reaction? What was going through your mind?
I woke up around 6 am and saw a message from a friend. It said, “The war has started.” I didn’t believe him at first – it was hard to process. I went on my phone to check the news, and when I saw the official reports, I was shocked. I went to tell my parents, and they didn’t believe me either at first. We weren’t really panicking, but we weren’t sure what to do. Since we were in the west of Ukraine, it didn’t hit us as hard as the east.
My stepdad and I went with his friends to exchange money from USD to UAH so we could buy groceries, as we were concerned that the Ukrainian currency might become unstable.
Even though you were in the west (Lviv), there were still bombings and regular air raid alarms?
Yes, there were air raid alarms every day, and sometimes actual air raid attacks with explosions.
What would happen when you heard the air raids?
I slept in my clothes with my backpack ready. When I heard the alarm, I would walk down the stairs of the tower block to the basement with all my neighbours, waiting for a notification that it was safe to go back. There were two different signals: one for when it was safe and one for when it wasn’t. We would wait until it was signalled as safe.
How long would you have to wait in the basement? Can you describe the surroundings?
The longest I waited was from 1 am to 6 am – most of the night. It was cold, mouldy, and windy. It smelled bad, and there were rats. I even saw some dead ones.
Were there any toilets?
No, we made one. I spent a lot of time there with my neighbours, and we united to make the place better. We built a toilet, put in insulation, and used old rugs to make it warmer. I even used polystyrene around the doors to keep the warmth in. I actually enjoyed doing that!
When did you leave Ukraine, and what was the journey like?
We left on 24th March 2022. My stepdad’s dad drove us to the bus station, where we took a bus to Poland (Rzeszów). My aunt’s friends met us there and gave us shelter for a couple of weeks until we could get a visa to the UK.
Who was travelling with you, and what were the conditions like?
My mum, my three-month-old sister, and my grandma. It was cold, and it took 5-6 hours to get across to Poland. It wasn’t too bad compared to those who had to wait 24-48 hours to cross the border.
What was life like when you first arrived in the UK?
What was life like when you first arrived in the UK?The atmosphere felt completely different. Everything looked different. Everyone was speaking English, and I couldn’t understand anything. The left-hand side driving even gave me a headache! It felt unusual and even scary being in a new country.
How did you settle into school?
It felt like a really long time before I started school because I was so bored. But once I joined, I felt better. I met new people, went on trips, and saw more places. My friends helped me explore by going on walks with me.
How soon after arriving in England did you start learning the language?
At first, I learned by going to the shop and looking at product names. I would read boxes and learn words. Then, at school, I picked up more. I listened to everyone around me, and that helped me learn English quickly. After 3-4 months, I was able to communicate with people more openly.
What was your greatest achievement at school?
Adapting to a completely different education system and passing my exams in a new language. It was tough, but I am proud of what I achieved.
Talk to us about your school prom – we understand that you turned up in a fire engine!
After doing my exams in Year 11, we had a prom to celebrate. Everyone was arriving in luxury cars, and I had an idea to come in a fire engine. To make it happen, I contacted Paul, a watch manager I had met during my work experience, and asked if he could help. At first, the Norfolk Fire and Rescue Museum declined, but when Paul explained who I was, they agreed. The owner of the museum remembered me from my work experience and said I stood out as being really enthusiastic. That made it all possible, and I arrived at my prom in a fire engine, which was an unforgettable experience!
Have you tried anything new since moving to the UK?
Every time I try something British, I joke that I’m one step closer to getting my British passport!
What British foods have you tried that you like?
I love roast dinners and full English breakfasts – especially in a wrap!
How did you get your lifeguard qualification?
I paid £200 to take a five-day National Pool Lifeguard Qualification course. The first two days were really stressful, but on the third day, I built up confidence. One of the hardest challenges was diving down to pick up a dummy from the bottom of the pool. I struggled, so I stayed behind after class to practice. On the last day, the examiner saw I was struggling and said, “Come on, dive in and pick up that f*cking dummy!” That gave me the push I needed, and I passed. Even though I couldn’t find a lifeguard job due to location issues, I was proud of the achievement.
How did you get involved with charity work?
As part of my course, I had to complete work-related activities. I saw on Facebook that Norfolk Fire and Rescue were doing a car wash fundraiser for The Firefighters Charity, so I reached out to Paul again. He told me when and where to go. The goal was to wash 999 cars across 27 fire stations, and just at Sprowston, we washed over 120 vehicles. Altogether, we exceeded the 999 target! I really enjoyed the experience and am always looking for volunteering and charitable work related to emergency services.
Where does your passion for the emergency services come from?
Throughout my life, I’ve always wanted to be helpful, and I believe that by joining the fire and rescue service, I can make the world a better place. It might sound a bit philosophical, but back in Ukraine, I once heard a firefighter say in an interview: “Live one life to save thousands.” That quote has really motivated me!
How did eventually find work?
It took me three months to find a job. I applied for a lot of different roles but didn’t get many replies. Eventually, I applied for a stock-taking job with RGIS, and when I got an interview, I was so happy. I made sure to wear a suit to look smart and show respect. After an hour of training with stock-taking machines and scanners, I was invited back and told I had the job. That moment made me really happy because I could start earning money and save for a car.
How did you find your first weeks at college?
Starting at Easton College was overwhelming at first. It was a big place with lots of new students and tutors, and I felt quite stressed trying to settle in. However, after about a week, I started making friends, and my confidence grew. Over time, I took on leadership roles in activities and began to feel much more comfortable in the course.
Dmytro | Norfolk Fire & Rescue work experience
What are you doing now?
I started a Uniformed Public Services Level 2 course at Easton College in September 2024 to prepare for a career in fire safety. At first, it was stressful being in a new environment, but after a week, I made friends and gained confidence. Now, I take on leadership roles during activities.
How do you feel about the future?
I feel quite stressed about what to do after college. I know I want to work in fire safety or health & safety, but it’s really difficult to find apprenticeships in those areas. I’ve been searching, but opportunities are limited, and that uncertainty makes things stressful for me. However, I am determined to keep looking and find the right path.
What are your long-term goals?
I know I want to be a firefighter, but I’m also interested in fire safety and health & safety apprenticeships. Right now, I’m looking for the right opportunities, but I feel a bit stressed because apprenticeships are hard to find. I’m not sure what I’ll do after college yet.
Looking ahead, what are your hopes for the future?
Right now, I’m focused on finishing college and passing my exams. I want to find the right path into fire safety or health & safety and eventually become a firefighter. Moving to a new country wasn’t easy, but I’ve learned that if you work hard, ask for help, and keep pushing forward, you can make a new life anywhere.
A Story of Hope and Determination
Dmytro’s journey is a testament to resilience, hard work, and the power of community support. Despite the challenges of fleeing his home, learning a new language, and building a future from scratch, he has never stopped pushing forward. From excelling in school and gaining work experience to giving back through charity work, he has embraced every opportunity that has come his way.
As he continues his studies and searches for the right career path, his story serves as an inspiration to others facing difficult transitions. His unwavering determination proves that, no matter where life takes you, with perseverance and the right support, a bright future is always possible. We wish Dmytro all the very best in what is sure to be a bright future for this enthusiastic and inspirational young man.