A DROP-IN cafe for Ukrainian refugees in Crediton has marked its second anniversary. 

Crediton Conversation Cafe, which held its first meeting in May 2022, lets residents and refugees catch up and connect over tea and cake. 

Taking place every Monday from 4pm to 6pm at Crediton Congregational Church, around 20 people attend each week. It also does regular trips and marks important events in the Ukrainian calendar. 

“It started because we visited the conversation cafe in Exeter and then I thought, well, what a good idea,” organiser Jennie Ford said. 

“And then Caroline Smith, who is one of the leadership team at the church, she offered us this space once a week. 

“It's a group thing really, and Natalia [Letch] does a lot of the stuff because she can speak fluent Russian. She can do a lot of translation. Poor old Natalia gets a lot of form-filling and things like that.  

“But it does mean that we've got two new people coming, both with young children. So, when they arrive, they've already got a community, people don't feel isolated in their own home.” 

To mark two years since the cafe first started, organisers and volunteers were presented with flowers and gifts by the refugees. 

Communication manager and teacher Nataliia from Kyiv, who has been in Crediton for eight months with her son and whose husband is in Ukraine, told the Courier: “It's very good support for us.  

“It's very important. I have not a lot of words to say thank you. It's really genuine.  

“A lot of time has passed for us, for my child.  

“If I don't know who can help me... I know. Jennie and Natalia. Go to the conversation cafe every Monday and ask what need for me. It's point number one to help for us. 

“English people like Jennie draw very attention for Ukrainian tradition. We have celebrated together. 

“I was another place in England before. I can say here very good community, really very good.” 

Russia invaded Ukraine two years and four months ago on February 24, 2022. The war is ongoing.