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BBC News
24-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Ukrainian man sets up shop to make Gloucester a little sweeter
A Ukrainian man who says he got a new life in England for his 18th birthday has opened a shop to bring "happiness by the handful".Roman Gunko, who moved from Lviv to Gloucester four years ago, said he was inspired to set up a sweet shop after seeing "a really beautiful" one in March, Mr Gunko, 22, set sail on his sweet shop adventure, opening the doors to the pirate-themed Captain of Sweets on Worcester Street."The best part is when older people walk in and say, 'it reminds me of my childhood'," Mr Gunko said. Mr Gunko moved to Gloucester from Ukraine with his father although his mother and younger sister were still living there when Russia invaded."Life back then [in Ukraine] was pretty normal; like most students, I was studying, hanging out with friends, and trying to survive lessons," he told BBC Radio Gloucestershire."I lived in safety in Gloucester but I was very worried because my mother and younger sister were still in Ukraine."I was nervous for my family but as soon as I did every document, they moved to the UK and we are living together." Mr Gunko was inspired to start his business while in France."I saw a really beautiful candy shop, with people picking their favourite candy from a huge selection," he said."I stood there, watching them come out with smiles, and something clicked in my head: Why not create something like that in Gloucester?"His business idea was a shop where customers could buy "as much as they want" of their favourite sweets, Mr Gunko said."Basically, happiness by the handful," he said. 'A whole new life' Mr Gunko's family also help him with his business now that they also live in Gloucester."I came here on my 18th birthday," he said."Some people get cake, I got a whole new life in this country."
BBC News
25-02-2025
- Health
- BBC News
'I lost my job and wife before being diagnosed with ADHD'
A man who "felt like he was failing in life" said when he was diagnosed with ADHD it was a lightbulb moment that changed everything. Chris Hurcombe, from Cheltenham in Gloucestershire, lost his job and his marriage broke down before he came across a YouTube video about ADHD 10 years 48-year-old was successfully diagnosed with the condition after two misdiagnoses, and has joined ADHD UK as an ambassador to dispel myths and raise said: "It's not an excuse having ADHD, it's just reasoning [how] your brain works. It was life-changing." ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a condition that affects people's behaviour - making it harder to concentrate and manage time. Acting impulsively and taking risks can also be an issue. From a young age Mr Hurcombe said school reports described him as "away with the fairies" and a "day dreamer" - something which he said is "painful to read, even now"."I'd always felt, even from a young age, different," he told BBC Radio Gloucestershire."Being the youngest of seven children, feeling a little bit out of place even amongst my own family, and feeling like the odd one out." 'I received the answers I needed' Mr Hurcombe said his life was "coming to a head," which was having a "detrimental effect" and had caused the breakdown of his marriage and the loss of his job before he came across a video in which someone was talking about the condition."So much of what he said I related too," he said."I went to my doctor and a triage, who said it was just anxiety and depression. "But I thought the symptoms and traits that I have are what's giving me that anxiety."Eventually, he came across NHS' Right to Choose programme, and one year later he received his ADHD diagnosis."I now know it wasn't just me, that I'm not a broken person. I'm learning to accept myself," he Hurcombe said he can be "more himself" in his new job at a nursery and they are accommodating of his now represents Gloucestershire for national charity ADHD UK as an ambassador."If I can give people that lightbulb moment of resonating with someone so much, that would be amazing. "That's my goal ultimately," he said. 'ADHD is not a fad' Caroline Aistrop, from Stroud, discovered she had ADHD a year ago at 60 years told BBC Radio Gloucestershire that those with the condition "have a life where we're constantly told we're doing things wrong"."With women in particular, the lack of attention as a kid, you're told you're a dolly dreamer. She's away with the fairies, she hasn't a clue what she's doing. "It's equated as being stupid, incompetent and useless. "You get all these messages saying 'you're always doing something wrong.' It has a devastating effect on your self esteem and belief you can succeed in things."She said the diagnosis was great because it made her realise it was not her being "stupid, useless or hopeless". "It's me actually achieving a lot in my life but I've been brought up to not acknowledge that, and keep thinking that I'm stupid. "I know a lot of people think it's a fad, it's absolutely not. For those who discover this it's so life-changing and life-affirming. It's fantastic for our own self belief to realise what we're dealing with."It helps me really learn how to accept who I am, and to make the most of that."
