Councillor Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council and Councillor Paul May, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services have officially welcomed Nicole Medin to the new role.
Nicole, is a 21-year-old graphic design student at London University, whose mother is Ukrainian and whose family members are still living there, despite the conflict. She has been involved in fundraising and community events in Bath since the war began.
Her family live near Bath and Nicole has worked closely with the Ukrainian community to raise funds for hospital equipment through the Friends of Oleksandriya, supporting the local community and helping Ukrainians with language problems.
Nicole’s role will involve working with the council’s Business and Skills team, engaging with young Ukrainian nationals aged between 11 and 18, being a strong advocate with the language skills necessary to support and understand their needs and aspirations after being displaced from their home.
Nicole said: “Bath & North East Somerset Council has given me an incredible opportunity to help improve young people’s lives through this role, which will give me the opportunity to give displaced young Ukrainian people a voice.”
Councillor Kevin Guy added: “This is another step in our commitment to support the people of Ukraine. We welcome Nicole to this exciting role, which will actively support young people in our area who have been displaced by the war. Nicole will also provide support with language barriers and cultural awareness for the benefit of both local and Ukrainian communities in Bath and North East Somerset.”
Former Bath & North East Somerset councillor Marian McNeir MBE, who has been mentoring Nicole, added: “I am delighted for Nicole, who has already achieved a great deal in her support for Ukrainians here and back in Ukraine, as well as playing a part in fundraising for the Friends of Oleksandriya.”
Last year the council strengthened its relationship with the Ukrainian city of Oleksandriya by signing a Friendship Agreement.
Although not legally binding, the friendship agreement provides a framework to establish and strengthen cultural and other community ties, fostering co-operation based on respect, equality and mutual benefit. It also promotes awareness between the two communities and identify environmental, social, cultural, educational, health & wellbeing and other opportunities for joint working.
Oleksandriya is a central Ukraine city with a population of approximately 80,000, located in Kirovohrad Oblast within the Kirovohrad region, roughly 350km from Kyiv.