A UKRAINIAN family who fled their war torn homeland and are now living in Greenock have shared their own story in a new heart-rending short film.

Greenock Telegraph:

Accountant Ivan Solovior and his wife Nataliia feature in New Beginnings: A Short Story, along with their son Veniamin, 13.

They are part of the New Scots group run by Your Voice and during the recent refugee week they launched their film at the Beacon.

Greenock Telegraph:

MP Ronnie Cowan was among those who went along to see for himself the experiences they have faced.

As well the special screening there was also a week of celebrations of the different cultures and people who now call Inverclyde their home.

Ivan, 46, from Kyiv, said: "It was very emotional to see it all there on the screen. But it was important to tell our story. We left Kiev after months of taking shelter from the shelling.

"We came to Scotland, it is such a wonderful country, to the Gin House Hotel, and we brought our dog Effie, who is part of our family.

"We are settled, I am now hoping to have a job with the council."

Greenock Telegraph:

On film the family used heartbreaking images of their lives before the Russians invaded, during the bombing and then as they made their escape.

All the families joined together for the screening of the film which tells their stories.

There were tears and hugs all around from the families and their new friends here in Inverclyde as the enormity of the New Scots experience was told.

Greenock Telegraph: Emotional Gaynor Lochhead, who is the New Scots co-ordinator and built the group from scratch, goes to the hotels and searches out all those who have resettled.

It was a labour of love for all those involved.

Greenock Telegraph:

She said: "I started in my new role as New Scots project co-ordinator nine months ago. From the beginning I opened my heart to all that I connected with and would invite them along to the weekly drop in.

"Slowly but surely, the numbers grew and in that time we have all connected deeply and trusting relationships have formed.

"It is through that loving trust that I was able to explain the vision for the film and I asked if anyone would like to provide material to create this film.

"I was very soon overwhelmed by the response. This is no longer just a news story about people in a distant country. These people are here, they sit amongst us."

Greenock Telegraph:

Gaynor added: "I chose to do whatever I can to support them in their new lives here in Inverclyde and I am honoured to be a part of their lives.

"The work we do is invaluable but lets not forget that they are people not just a statistic."

Gaynor thanks all the groups involved including Colin Pomeroy at CLD, Jenni Murray at The Bothy, Dagmar, as well as Belville for all their help.

During Refugee Week there was also a special community walk, a football tournament and a celebration day when New Scots served up food from their homeland.