“The support has been incredible and I feel motivated to work hard. It’s my mission to make this shop a success”
The manager of a new charity shop says she is excited by the opportunity as she continues rebuilding her life away from war-torn Ukraine.
Olena Kulaieva arrived in England with her husband, Maksym, and 11-year-old daughter, Natasha, in 2022 and has been working for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) since April.
She joined as a relief and support manager but, having made such an impact in the role, has now been given the opportunity to run her own shop.
The 43-year-old is taking the reins at EACH’s new store in Fitzroy Street, Cambridge, which is opening on 12th September.
“I’m excited and looking forward to it very much,” said Olena, from Kyiv.
“It’s a new door opening for me – a step up in my career – and I can’t wait to start applying my skills and experience in a brand new shop.
“I know how charity retail works, having also worked for Mind before joining EACH. Ironically, that shop was very near Fitzroy Street, in Burleigh Street.
“Since April, I’ve been covering lots of different shops and met so many people, building relationships with staff and volunteers.
“I’ve picked up lots of ideas, been able to compare things and seen how different things work.
“I’ve gained lots of experience and made plenty of notes. Now I’ve got the chance to apply them in my own shop and can’t wait to see the results.”
Olena’s current life is a far cry from the one she was forced to leave in troubled Ukraine.
“I love it here and feel settled,” she said.
“Much of that, in more recent months, has been thanks to EACH. I’ve been welcomed and accepted and it’s a great organisation to work for.
“The support I’ve received has been incredible and I feel motivated to work hard. It’s my mission to make this shop a success.”
Olena’s elderly parents still live in Kreminna, in the Luhansk region, which has been occupied by Russia since Spring 2022.
“They have no phone or internet connection and it’s a dangerous area,” she said.
“It’s upsetting for me and I worry about them very much, but I think they’re so brave.
“Hopefully the nightmare of the war will end soon and I’ll be able to see them again.
“It puts things in perspective and, in terms of what I’ve left behind, it’s certainly made it easier to overcome any difficulties I may come up against here.
“Hopefully my story helps inspire others.”
New volunteers are being invited to join Olena and the team in Fitzroy Street.
The ribbon is being cut at 10am on Thursday, 12th September and a special open day, for anyone interested in getting involved, is taking place this Thursday (5th September).
The shop will be EACH’s fourth in Cambridge, with others in Cherry Hinton Road, Histon Road and Milton Road.
Its other Cambridgeshire stores are in Cherry Hinton, Ely, Huntingdon, March, Soham, St Ives and Whittlesey.
