'After leaving Ukraine, I needed to feel part of healthcare again'
For Olena Ipek, 30, volunteering at Westbrook House Stroke Rehabilitation Unit in Margate has been about much more than giving her time. It has helped her rebuild her confidence, understand NHS systems and move closer to returning to the medical career she feared she might have lost.
Olena, from Kyiv, trained as a doctor in Ukraine and worked in paediatrics and emergency care before leaving the country before Russia’s full-scale invasion. She had worked hard to earn a university scholarship, studied through the pandemic and built a career she loved. But when she moved abroad, with limited English and no experience of NHS systems, she faced the painful reality of having to start again.
Her story also reflects a wider challenge for the NHS. Thousands of qualified doctors, nurses, midwives and allied health professionals who have come to the UK as refugees face barriers to returning to the professions they trained for, while health services continue to face workforce pressures. Olena joined KCHFT’s Volunteer to Career programme, developed with national charity Helpforce.
She said: “When I left Ukraine, I really missed my job. It was mentally hard to be away from my country, partly because I left some family and friends behind and partly because I had worked so hard for my education and career.
"When you move somewhere new, you cannot work as a doctor straight away because you need a licence. You must start again and that is hard.”
Olena and her husband, Baris, moved between Turkey and Canada before coming to the UK for his work. While Baris supported her through English tests, medical exams and long periods of uncertainty, Olena kept working towards her General Medical Council registration.
There were times she wanted to stop. Baris encouraged her to remember how far she had already come.
She said: “He told me, you worked very hard in Ukraine and you worked very hard for your studies. Take your time, study and keep going. Remember who you are and what you have already done.”
After arriving in Kent, Olena knew she needed to be around people and back in a healthcare environment. A friend suggested volunteering in the community. She opened the volunteering page several times before finally applying through KCHFT’s volunteering service.
She said: “I was not sure and I was scared. Would they understand me? Would I understand them?"
But once Olena applied, Claire, KCHFT's volunteering manager, called and asked if I would like to volunteer at Westbrook. Olena added: " I knew I wanted to do it.”
Her first day was 19 December 2025. At first, Olena shadowed other volunteers and worried about saying or doing the wrong thing. Slowly, with support from colleagues and other volunteers, Westbrook began to feel like family.
(left to right) Therapy Worker Laura Macdonald, Supper Worker Judy Underhill, Olena Ipek, Highly Specialist Physiotherapist Sufiyan Sultan and Clinical Sister Rhoda Harris
She said: “Everyone at Westbrook is lovely. I have learned so much from the team and from the other volunteers, especially how they communicate with people and help them feel comfortable. Volunteering has helped me learn the culture here and feel part of it.”
Westbrook House supports people recovering from a stroke, helping them regain confidence, independence and skills before they return home. Olena now volunteers there on Mondays and Tuesdays, chatting with patients, supporting activities and offering calm, friendly company.
Sometimes that means helping with tea rounds. Sometimes it means offering a craft activity. Sometimes it simply means sitting in a room and talking about her cat, Alex, who has become a familiar name on the ward.
Sufiyan Sultan, Highly Specialist Physiotherapist at Westbrook House, said her role in the unit was incredibly important: “It’s particularly beneficial for patient wellbeing. She has the time to sit and talk to patients, to find out how they are feeling one-to-one.
"We focus on the therapy aspects, so having an additional person to sit down, find out how a patient is feeling and feed back to us is really valuable.
"She’s also a great support to colleagues here, helping facilitate activities and wellbeing exercises and just being there for water jug rounds, tea rounds – whatever it might be.”
Laura Macdonald, Therapy Assistant, added: “All of the patients love her, she’s just so warm and friendly, plus she has an excellent background in health to really understand our daily working life and the needs of patients.”
Olena said: “When I go every week, patients recognise me. They say it is nice to see me again and some even ask how Alex is. Those small moments matter because people know someone has come back to see them.”
One of her favourite moments was when a patient who once stayed in their room all the time decided to come out and start a conversation with her.
Olena said: “People need to see that we care. Even if they do not want to join an activity, asking what they would like to do shows someone is thinking about them."
Volunteering has also helped Olena rediscover her own voice. She said there was a time when she would not have felt able to give an interview and share her story. Now she enjoys speaking with people, sharing ideas and taking part in conversations about how services can improve.
She said: “Before volunteering, I do not think I would have had the confidence. I used to think I did not have the language skills, but now I can see I enjoy speaking with people, sharing ideas and being part of the NHS.”
Giving a little of your time can make a huge difference to our patients. You can gain new skills, meet new people and improve the wellbeing of yourself, our staff and patients. If you're interested in volunteering at Westbrook House or any other part of KCHFT visit our volunteering page.
