Oleksandr secures main acting role at Eurovision Festival
Springboard Cheshire is led by Torus Foundation and is funded by the European Social Fund (ESF), Torus Foundation and Springboard Cheshire delivery and strategic partners.
Oleksandr came to the UK under 'The Homes For Ukraine Scheme', living with his hosts in a very remote village in Nantwich, Cheshire. He is used to city life back home in Ukraine, so moving to a very rural location in a new country was a complete shock.
His hosts have been a great support, in terms of everyday life, however, Oleksander required more in-depth support to help achieve his career goals whilst he resided in the UK.
Both Oleksandr and his wife Viktoriia (also a Springboard participant) have a background and formal education in the entertainment business; working as actors, talent agents, and performers.
Oleksandr Springboard advisor ‘Claire’ from Career Connect, created a very specific plan when she first met with him and built his action plan around this: To advance his English speaking skills (through ESOL at South Cheshire College South & West), create 2 very specific CVs; entertainment industry-specific (Oleksandr’s long-term career goals) and customer service specific (for his short-term plans), complete and fund application for a UK driving licence, to ensure seamless commute to work as living in a remote village
Claire also conducted mock interviews, to help Oleksandr understand customer service terminology in the UK, as this sector was where our focused job search was, supporting Oleksandr with the application process. Liaised with employers on Oleksandr’s behalf to help him understand the recruitment and onboarding processes
Oleksandr obtained a customer service assistant role at Marks & Spencer's food hall, whilst he builds the necessary networks in the UK, to enable him to return to the entertainment industry. Talking about Claire, Sasha said “She was more than helpful! All the things Claire did, were quick, and they hit my targets.”
An exciting opportunity has arisen, whereby Oleksandr will be performing at the Unity Theatre in Liverpool, as an initiative being run by the local Liverpool Council, in line with the Eurovision song contest.
The performance is called ‘Maria’ and is based on a novel written by Ulas Samchuk, about the life of a young woman through the history of the Ukrainian upheaval. Oleskandr will be performing one of the main roles ‘Korniy' in the performance.
Oleksandr described the performance “Through the life of one woman we will show all the different things that happened at that time in Ukraine, war, revolution and a famine” We hope after this, and after Eurovision, we'll have some performances of ‘Maria’ as well, in different places. We can show everywhere, we can come everywhere.
This is a FREE event, click here to secure your tickets!
The Springboard team is so pleased to hear Oleksandr is back on the stage doing what he loves and that he has also secured employment! We wish him all the best for the future.
Good luck and well done Oleksandr!