A FATHER who fled war-torn Ukraine to East Lancashire with his young family said he "cannot understand why" jobs in the country are "so low paid" as he looks for work.

Former spa manager and educational consultant Mahmut Bedir, from Kherson, Ukraine, also said his "devastated" mental health has not improved since arriving in England.

He arrived in Burnley on April 14 and is now on the lookout for work that will allow him to carve out a new life and support his family here.

The 38-year-old has been given a work permit until the end of 2024, but has said he has not found a job right for him - and with a salary he deems high enough - yet.

He said: “Three weeks ago, we came to Burnley from Ukraine.

"We had lived in the Ukrainian city of Kherson. We are a family of four, two adults and two children.

“Leaving Ukraine, our home, was not easy. We entered Poland after bombs had dropped on nearby areas.

"We waited more than two weeks in Poland for a UK Visa. It was a very difficult time. I hope nobody else must go through this type of thing as we did not receive any help at that time.

“We were told a sponsor family in England had been found, and this made those difficult days travelling much easier.

“After arriving in England, we were given £750 for a family of four. Of course, this has now gone.

"One of our children has started school now, but the status of the other is not clear yet. I need a job very urgently.

“I only have £5 in my pocket, and it is very difficult for me. I previously worked as a spa manager and as an overseas education consultant at a university.

“My mental state has not improved since the day I came to England. This is our situation, I feel completely psychologically devastated.”

Mahmut has been offered work and advice from a number of Lancashire people on Facebook groups but said there are “not many good options” and that the pay is too low in many jobs.

He also feels as though his limited grasp of the English language will be detrimental in customer facing environments like bars and pubs.

He added: “I don’t understand why the wages are so low here. How can people live with this money?”

Mahmut said the Government are currently assisting in paying for the families' food while he searches for work.

Can you help us get Mahmut a job? If you have a role available email us by clicking here and we can put you in touch with him