Starting a new life in a country miles away from home is a difficult journey for anyone to take.
But arriving as a refugee from a war-torn country, with very few possessions, then that new start to life becomes incredibly daunting.
And that’s where Anna Hontaruk found herself when she arrived in Dorset from Ukraine back in 2022.
The then 38 year-old could speak little English and wanted a job to improve her quality of life.
But learning English and looking for work became increasingly difficult when she and her husband only had one laptop between them.
And that’s when Dorset Council’s Ukraine Response team stepped in. They referred Anna to Digital Doorway for a laptop.
Anna recalled: “When I received the laptop I was not working but I was actively studying English at Westbourne Academy. I really wanted a job to improve my quality of life.
“But it was very difficult to find the time I needed to study online and search for jobs when I had to share a laptop with my husband.
“This new laptop gave me the freedom I needed.”
Once she had her Digital Doorway laptop, there was no stopping Anna.
The qualified psychologist completed courses online and eventually found a job as a carer in a private care home.
Now the laptop is also proving to be invaluable for her job and her continuing studies.
Anna, 41, explained: “We have to take a lot of courses in my job, which is impossible to do on the mobile phone. In addition, I study online courses and want to get the qualification of a chancellor in England, because I am a psychologist by main education.”
And it’s not just for her personal development that having a laptop has helped – she is also using it to help others.
In her spare time Anna is a volunteer counsellor for fellow Ukrainian refugees.
“For my volunteer role I must have a separate laptop as the information I need for this is confidential,” Anna explained.
“This laptop has been wonderful. It’s helped me to take courses, keep documents, improve my English, created a resume and find a job. In addition, my husband and I no longer have misunderstandings over the laptop!”
Digital Doorway has gifted devices to 65 Ukrainian refugees since 2022.
And Holly Loxton, who managed the council’s emergency response effort to help the refugees, said the scheme has made a huge difference to families settling in the county.
She said: “The Digital Doorway scheme has benefitted Ukrainian refugees arriving in Dorset by providing devices like laptops and tablets, helping them overcome digital exclusion.
“This access enables them to find meaningful employment, learn English, discover events in their new communities and to access online schooling so they don't fall behind in their Ukrainian studies.
“It also allows them to stay connected with friends and family who have remained in Ukraine or been displaced to other locations around the world.
“Being digital is essential for the refugees. It supports their integration, wellbeing and maintaining their culture and connectedness virtually - all of which helps to build a better future.”