UKRAINIAN families forced to start a new life in south Essex have been “embraced by the community” thanks in part to a Leigh-based music group.

Since Russian troops invaded Ukraine in February 2022, more than 170,000 families have been forced to flee to the UK.

Now, four young women who moved to south Essex have found solace in music as part of the TLC Ensemble, a group which meets at the United Reformed Church in Leigh.

Dasha Kovalenko, 12, is one of four girls who joined the group after she fled Ukraine with her mum and five-year-old sister two years ago.

Her mother, Olga, described starting their new life in Wickford as “difficult at first”.

However, she said: “Despite the stress, adapting to a whole new country and people, it has got easier as my daughters have picked up the language very quickly. They’re doing very well, and Dasha is progressing well at the flute.”

Echo: Rehearsals - TLC practices at the United Reformed Church in Leigh.Rehearsals - TLC practices at the United Reformed Church in Leigh. (Image: Craig McGarrigle)

Olga, 38, who works as a quality assurance engineer for an IT firm, says she felt “alone” when leaving her home.

She added: “But we had no other option.

“The community has been very good. They’ve made us feel at home.”

Dasha’s father and uncle remain in Ukraine, where able-bodied men have been called up to defend their country.

Meanwhile, Dasha has found music “a good way to move on”, her mum says.

She added: “Dasha doesn’t know which profession she wants to go into at the moment, but I think she could play the flute at a conservatoire.”

Echo: Adapting - Dasha and her sister have picked up English 'very quickly' and are getting used to life in the UK.Adapting - Dasha and her sister have picked up English 'very quickly' and are getting used to life in the UK. (Image: Olga Kovalenko)

Despite previously hoping they could eventually go home, Olga and her family face a very harsh reality.

Olga added: “Nobody knows when the war will stop. We have no opportunities to go back.

“Our house in Kharkiv has been destroyed.

“It’s got easier as we’ve adapted to life in the UK. I want to believe we are doing well.”

Echo: Proud - mum Olga says her two daughters are 'doing very well' since moving to the UK.Proud - mum Olga says her two daughters are 'doing very well' since moving to the UK. (Image: Olga Kovalenko)

Craig McGarrigle, leader of the TLC Ensemble, met the Ukrainian families while volunteering as an English teacher at the Megacentre in Rayleigh.

He said: “It quickly became apparent that their children were interested in music.

“My favourite concert so far was last summer at the St Andrew’s Church Hall, where we had three Ukrainian girls performing solos which went down so well. It was so positive, the hall was full and decorated with Ukrainian flags.

“I thought it was a great opportunity for them to be embraced by the community. It worked really well.”