Olga Vynnyk
"I know a drop, but not the ocean…"
In July 2022, 43-year-old Olga Vynnyk left her hometown Kharkiv — the city where she had lived all her life — together with her eight-year-old daughter Masha. The forced departure due to the war marked the beginning of a new chapter, full of changes, challenges, and remarkable discoveries. Now Olga lives in Ilfracombe, Devon, and shares an inspiring story that began with the kindness of strangers and turned into a journey of personal and professional growth.
"Two people that were committed to helping people arriving from Ukraine were Sara and Andrew. Sara posted on Facebook that my daughter and I needed a sponsor — and Fiona from Ilfracombe responded to her message. Since then, Fiona has become not just a sponsor but a true guardian angel for me. Thanks to people like her, Sara, and Andrew, I was able to get back on my feet and start a new life in England," Olga recalls.
From learning English to teaching
When Olga arrived in the UK, her English was minimal. Her first steps in learning the language were literally taken around the kitchen table with Fiona. Dyslexia posed an additional challenge, but Olga didn't give up: she attended English courses for foreigners run by Sun Rise Diversity and Learn Devon, borrowed books from the library, and persistently continued her studies.
Today, she already holds Entry 2 qualifications in writing and Entry 3 in reading and plans to take the Level 1 speaking and listening exam in 2025.
"The library in Barnstaple changed my life. It was there that I started learning business English and attended the employment club led by Ian Harris. He recommended me as a teacher to Sarah Robinson who is the volunteer coordinator and runs the wellbeing classes — and that became my first step toward a new profession. This is where my career as a teacher began."
16 years behind the lens — and a new career turn
Photography has always been Olga's passion. She earned an art education at the Kharkiv Academy of Visual Arts, studied under renowned masters, and worked in various genres — from portrait and sports photography to advertising and fashion. Her experience spans over 16 years in the profession, fuelled by a genuine love for art.
In England, Olga began teaching photography in libraries in Torrington and Holsworthy as part of the Photography for Wellbeing project. She developed six theoretical lessons with handouts, after which participants went out to photograph nature and urban environments. After the walks, the group gathered to drink tea and discuss the photos.
"For me, it's important not only to teach technical skills but also to help people see beauty in everyday life. The most touching moments are when participants exclaim: 'I see it! I never noticed this before!' That's when I know it was all worthwhile."
Photography as a path to wellbeing
Olga's classes quickly became popular not only because of the quality of teaching but also thanks to the warm atmosphere. Support, a sense of humour, and lively interaction helped participants feel inspired, confident, and engaged, while also helping Olga adapt to her new country.
She also completed a Team Leader course with Learn Devon to improve her interaction with students and began applying modern educational methods, including the visual-auditory-kinesthetic (VAK) approach.
One of the most emotional moments was a trip for all course participants to the RHS Rosemoor Garden.
"After photographing the first spring flowers, we went to lunch and sat together at a big table. Then my students applauded me and gave me a card with wishes from each participant. I cried tears of happiness. These are some of the best moments of my life."
New horizons
Today Olga continues to grow as a teacher and photographer. She:
- Conducts Zoom photography classes for Ukrainian women through the volunteer organization Trafalgar Girls
- Volunteers at National Trust Arlington in North Devon
- Participates in creative and community projects, including A Sense in Nature which is a project for women from Black, ethnically diverse backgrounds to gather, to celebrate with others, spend time in Nature and create a piece of artwork
- Works with her photography with Landmark Theatre and Ilfracombe Yacht Club
- Launched a dedicated page for nature photography and continued to run the two courses within libraries.
Recently, her photo of a tree, taken during a walk with the Walking Group in Lynton & Lynmouth, was selected to participate in Art Biennale London 2025.
In 2023, she won a grant for women in North Devon by presenting a business plan related to teaching photography. With the funding, she created a website and developed her self-employment path.
"Libraries have opened not only the teacher in me but a whole new world. I always say: I know a drop, but I don't know the ocean. To grow, develop, and share knowledge — that is the meaning of life.
"A special thank you goes to my coordinator Sarah Robinson from Libraries Unlimited, who believed in me and gave me the opportunity to realize myself as a teacher. It changed my life drastically — I am deeply grateful to her with all my heart."
