Ports of refuge

Jackie Macadam learns about the role of chaplains and churches in supporting Ukrainian families fleeing the war in Ukraine in Leith and Glasgow.

THE war in Ukraine has meant that millions of Ukrainians, mainly women and children, were pushed out into and across Europe in a very short space of time.

They fled the fighting, the bombing, the drone attacks and travelled hundreds of miles into surrounding countries like Poland, and from there continued outwards into the rest of Europe, and Britain.

For the first time the UK Government allowed individuals to host people fleeing war in their own homes, granting them visas allowing them to travel to the UK. In addition, the Scottish Government offered to act as a ‘Super Sponsor’, with the promise of temporary accommodation until they are matched with a host. The scheme proved incredibly popular with over 30,000 applications before closing in July.

In order to house the thousands of families who had arrived, the Scottish Government took the unprecedented step of commissioning two ships, one at Leith Docks in Edinburgh and one at the King George V Docks in Glasgow, to act as temporary accommodation for the displaced families.

Pauline Robertson DCS is chaplain for the Sailors’ Society and works with the crews and workers at Leith.

“The ship is not without its problems but in many ways having the ship is a good place to house people for a short time,” she says. “Many of the Ukrainians living on it (the passengers are mainly Ukrainian) are pleased to have a safe space to live outwith their country. For some of them it really is a life-saver.

“It’s like a floating village of around 1400 people from all walks of life. Some have lived on board for around three months. Although the vessel is beautiful and everyone is looked after very well by the crew (many of whom are also Ukrainian) it’s difficult. They’ve been through a traumatic situation and I’m sure that will live with many of them for years to come.”

Becky Haldane is Port Chaplain for the West of Scotland.

“The ship in Glasgow is very nice. It’s a cruise ship with 700+ cabins. They currently have approximately 1,200 guests on board,” s he said.

“One thing that impresses me, “ she explains, “is that they are referred to as ‘guests’ by the crew, just the same way they would talk about their usual paying guests.

“Though I work mainly with the crew I’ve found them to be much like the crew you would find on any cruise ship. They’re friendly and professional. There’s the usual mix of nationalities and sexes.

“I’ve had a brief chat about the emotional toil of the guests on board, but I can’t imagine there aren’t some issues. These are traumatised people living very far from home in a strange place. There is huge concern among them for everyone they have left behind or lost touch with.

“It’s a strange situation for the crew as well. Suddenly they are more or less living in one city all the time.

“In Glasgow they have set up a committee to look after the welfare of the crew which they don’t seem to have normally. They are well aware of the added stress of the situation for everyone. As chaplains we have been introduced to them, with the hope that we will be able to work together to provide whatever support they need. I work alongside Joe O’Donnell from Stella Maris (the largest ship-visiting network in the world) in this.

“The crew is a very mixed bag as it would be with any group of 250 people! On my last visit I was asked by the welfare team about the possibility of dental appointments which a number were interested in. They don’t usually have much of an opportunity for routine visits like this when they are only in port for a day or so.

“We discussed how they basically live in Glasgow now, as many of them are on sixmonth plus contracts.

“Last week, Joe, along with other members of the Port Welfare Committee, organised a football game for crew vs cadets. We hope to be able to provide other activities for crew to get them off the ship, and doing something that they enjoy, and to clear their heads from the ship for a few hours.

“Some of the crew are Ukrainians, and so are painfully aware of the situation. It’s difficult for them because they are carrying the same weight of what is going on back home, with their families and in their towns. Some are worried about what they will do when they’re due to go home, others are grateful that they have managed to get this contract to be away, and also to be earning to support their families, where ever they have settled.”

Pauline takes up the story again. “The Victoria 1 is a Tallink roll on-roll off ferry, 193 metres long. In her normal working ferry life, she can take 2500 passengers. There’s over 100 crew.

“Conditions are arranged so that families and groups can be accommodated in units and have cabins en-suite. There are various sizes and classes of cabin/ suite.

“The onboard restaurants provide all meals and snacks and tea and coffee etc are available. There is also a bar, shop, theatre and laundry operated by the ship’s staff. There are plenty public areas.

“ Learning English is a popular topic in some of the families and many come along to events put on by local churches.

“They have a ‘Guest Co-ordinator’ who organises various activities and informs the refugees of support available and other activities organised on ship. We work together to inform the refugees of groups, support and activities organised by Edinburgh congregations and refugee organisations. She is also the main contact for donations I receive for the refugees.

“The atmosphere is unique onboard, different from normal, as the refugees don’t want to be here. They often receive disturbing news via the media, are anxious about family and friends back home.

“Many are slowly losing the sense of hope they arrived with – that the war would be over soon… as time goes on, the challenge and the need to prepare an alternative life in a strange country has hit them.

“The Ukrainian crew working on the ship have the added anxiety, worry and fear that their families are safe. Many of the crew are from Odessa, Kherson etc. Some of their families are scattered all over Europe, but many remain in Ukraine. Maintaining contact with family and friends is paramount. They are the same as refugees in so many ways.”

David Moodie is Churches Support Officer for Scottish Faiths Action for Refugees. His remit is specifically to work with the Ukrainians displaced due to the war, so he works closely with the churches who are trying to help those on the ships.

“When we first heard about the ship coming in, we decided it would be useful to get in touch with as many churches locally as possible. I invited as many churches as I could in the Leith area to an open meeting online to share information and co-ordinate a local response,” he said.

“From that we’ve managed to connect quite a few churches and have started semi-regular meetings as a forum.

“Other organisations are involved as well, like Bethany Christian Trust with their ‘Inspiring Leith’ project and the Edinburgh City Mission through their Salam project. “Leith is a working port so residents need to be shuttled to the main gates, but otherwise they are free to come and go as they please. People have already started attending events put on by local churches. Learning English is a priority for many of the residents, as are events for children and families. The children are enrolled in the local schools, though some of the older children have opted to do distance learning and continue their education from Ukraine. “Learning English is a popular topic in some of the families and many come along to events put on by local churches.

“Fischy Music are also looking to get involved through a songwriting workshop that might help some of the young people deal with their trauma through music.”

David adds:“It’s not just in Leith and Glasgow things are happening. There are Ukrainians living in communities across Scotland and churches have a huge role to play in welcoming and supporting them.”