Ukraine's Hidden Voices with Amanda Holden

A Car Park in Kyiv

Kateryna Danno is the woman who sparked the idea for this podcast series. She contacted Amanda Holden via a social media post telling her about how she found herself sheltering from danger in an underground car park in Kyiv. Like Amanda, she too is a mum, but while her son is safe in London, Kateryna has been living in fear of what will happen next and how this conflict will develop.

Can you imagine going from your comfortable home to hiding in an underground car park for days on end? 

How long do you think it would take you to work out which missiles were being fired towards the enemy, or towards you and your kids just by the sound? 

These are situations many families are now having to face in Ukraine as the conflict continues to impact millions of people. 

Amanda Holden started this podcast after Ukrainian-born mother Kateryna - who was seeking refuge in an underground car park in Kyiv - connected with her via a social media post. Moved by her situation, Amanda wants to help tell the stories of people like Kateryna, who's lives have been drastically impacted by this conflict.

Amanda said “I wanted to use this podcast to speak with mums, dads, sons and daughters about what is happening on the ground in Ukraine. At this time it’s vital that we don’t turn away, but we turn towards them and hear their stories and try to help in any way we can. Their stories are so important.”

Ukraine's Hidden Voices will bring you interviews and conversations with many people from many different walks of life, all trying to survive and make the best life possible for themselves, their family and friends as the War in Ukraine continues.

For more information on how you can help the people of Ukraine, visit the Disasters Emergency Committee at dec.org.uk