92-year-old care home resident teaches English to Ukrainian refugee

A team member at a care home in Leatherhead is receiving some extra special lessons from one resident this Christmas.  

Terry Medley, a 92-year-old resident at Care UK’s Liberham Lodge, on Rectory Lane, has been helping to teach 44-year-old, Oksana Deinychenko, a Ukrainian refugee, English to help her settle into life in the UK.

 

Oksana came to the UK with her three children, aged eight, nine and 24, in May 2022. They moved in with a family in Leatherhead. While living in Ukraine, Oksana had been an Events Coordinator for over 15 years, arranging wedding and parties. 

She started working at Liberham Lodge as a housekeeper in October 2022 which is when she met kind-hearted resident Terry. He wanted to help her get settled in as best he could and so when Oksana asked if he could help her to learn English, he was more than happy to help.  

Terry was a Senior Marine Economist for most of his career. He also spent one and half years in the Royal Navy for his National Service. Now, Terry gives Oksana 30-minute lessons three times per week during Oksana’s lunch breaks.

Oksana said: “Terry is a very interesting and extremely intelligent man. It makes me feel happy he is helping me with my English. 

“I really enjoy working at Liberham Lodge. It’s very different to my previous jobs but I have very good colleagues and beautiful surroundings.”

Terry said: “It’s nice to feel that I am helping someone, even more so when settling into a new environment and country.”

Jagpal Singh, General Manager at Liberham Lodge, said “Here at Liberham Lodge, we are honoured to welcome people from all cultures and backgrounds to our team. Oksana is a valued member of team and to learn a new language at the age of 44 is truly inspirational. Equally as wonderful is Terry’s selflessness in taking the time to assist Oksana. 

“We know that intergenerational relationships have been proven to be enriching for all ages and can offer older people a sense of purpose. It is beautiful to watch Terry and Oksana interacting as they learn about each other’s languages, histories and backgrounds. 

“We cannot wait to see what the future holds for Oksana as she continues to learn English – residents and team members alike find her an inspiration.” 

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, Care UK incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities. The layout of the home has been configured to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities and encourage social interaction among the residents.

To find out more about Liberham Lodge, please email Vicky Radmore, Home Admissions Advisor on Victoria.Radmore@careuk.com, call 01372 887982 or visit careuk.com/liberham-lodge