Empowering Women In Care: Cambridgeshire Care Provider Shines a Light on Contribution from Ukrainian Team Member in Celebration of International Women’s Day

To mark International Women’s Day a Cambridgeshire care provider is looking to shine a light on a talented Ukrainian HR professional who moved to the UK last year amidst the ongoing conflict providing her a new chapter that has left her feeling empowered both as a Ukrainian and a woman

Iryna Blyzniuk, aged 28 moved to Cambridgeshire in July 2022 from a small town called Volochysk in the Khmelnytskyi region in the west of Ukraine as part of the government programme Homes for Ukraine where she has since been living with a host family just 20 minutes from her current place of work at Askham Village Community in Doddington

As HR Administrator Iryna has become an Integral part of the second generation family-run care community organising payroll annual leave working hours assisting with recruitment and ultimately, being a friendly and reliable port of call for the team

Before moving to the UK Iryna studied law at university graduating with a master s degree before pursuing a career in Human Resources a sector she has worked in for more than four years in Ukraine Askham has provided Iryna with her first role within the social care sector and since starting she has left a lasting impression on colleagues and residents alike

Alongside her new career, Iryna has been exploring the UK and what it has to offer taking regular trips with her host family to the seaside and landmark cities whilst exploring the surrounding countryside In her new home away from home, she is looking to push forward professionally while “dreaming and believing in the speedy victory of Ukraine

Commenting on her time in the UK so far Iryna said: “Working at Askham has been such a great opportunity for me not only professionally but also personally Everyone is so friendly and it really is a great place to work I have really enjoyed living in the UK and rather than sitting around in front of the TV on the weekends, I’ve been determined to get out and see the country Of course, some things are very different compared to back home and It has been quite a challenge learning new HR systems and policies Fortunately I have had so much support from my colleagues who have shown me the ropes over the last seven months ” Although I m not in a resident-facing role I really enjoy interacting with them even if it s just a quick chat in the onsite cafe in the morning they have all been so welcoming to me and I'm really proud to be part of this inclusive and caring community

Askham is a family-run community that always puts the resident at the heart of its operation Whether they are visiting for the day receiving long-term or respite care or even specialist rehabilitation each individual can expect a personal experience within a compassionate care environment

Iryna continued “Working at Askham has made me feel empowered both as a Ukrainian and as a woman I am so grateful for the opportunity to work here and look forward to learning more and developing my English language skills The town I grew up in was actually very similar to where I’m living and working now, and the beautiful countryside really reminds me of home I am hoping every day that the war comes to an end and that there is peace all over the world ”

Aliyyah-Begum Nasser Operations Director at Askham added “Iryna has quickly become an integral part of our community and the cheerfulness she spreads on a daily basis is truly admirable We want to support her as much as we can and there is no doubting that she will have a very successful future career International Women s Day is all about celebrating the achievements of women and Iryna is one of the many shining examples of remarkable women at Askham who have worked hard and achieved so much It makes me proud to have such colleagues on the Askham team!