Local woman builds new businesses and new beginnings after years of abuse
By Amanda Chalmers 20th Mar 2026
When Natalka Hunka accompanies domestic violence victims into the courtroom as a McKenzie Friend, it is more than a job – it's a calling.
Inspired by her own experiences over 20 years, it's clear the former Leamington schoolgirl and now single mum of two is on a mission.
The role represents one of many responsibilities she holds as founder of her new business – a future she is building for her daughter battling a chronic health condition.
As it marks its first anniversary, Aspire HR and Training Consultants, in Hockley Heath, can already boast a national award to its name – with big plans to build on its early success.
But this chapter also marks a new start for the new entrepreneur who, at 44, is finally realising her dream, not in spite of her traumas after years of abusive relationships, but rather, she says, because of them.
For the former Kingsley School and Arnold Lodge student, abuse became a disturbing pattern in her relationships, the last of which saw her fleeing her home in Kenilworth with her daughter Caitlin back to the safety of her parents' home in Balsall Common.
She recalls: "I was stupid enough to keep believing them when they said they would change and would even make excuses for them. They would beg for my forgiveness and the behaviour would stop for a while but then eventually it would always start up again. The experience has completely changed me, coming from abuse, it has made me stronger."
Natalka and her younger brother Simon were born in Coventry, of Ukrainian descent, a heritage that inspired her and youngest daughter Larysa, to create a Ukrainian hub for the Midlands. It is from here more than 1,500 parcels were distributed since the breakout of the war in February 2022, the effort supported by parents from Bablake School and assisted by family friend Maria Leszczyszyn and Franklin and Hawkins Family Funeral Directors.
Their father Stefan, become a highly respected member of the law profession for 43 years as the Owner/Director and Criminal Defence Solicitor at Alsters Kelley Solicitors.
But the family's influence is far-reaching - from a little corner of Coventry at granddad's Hunka's General Stores, to uncle Pavlo Hunka, the internationally acclaimed opera singer.
Musical talent also belies a huge passion, the student from the former Malvern Girls' College winning a place at the prestigious Royal Northern College of Music to study music and, at 16, becoming one of the youngest people to ever get into the main National Youth Choir of Great Britain.
But rather than follow her uncle's example, an overriding desire to one day be a mum – kept her anchored on building a more stable career, eventually taking her into HR like her mum, an industry she quickly fell in love with.
Despite abusive relationships which left their emotional toll, Natalka soon worked up through the ranks at firms across the Midlands, to become HR Director.
But it's her eldest daughter, Caitlin, – and now Aspire's newest recruit - whom she credits with giving her the biggest drive to succeed at her newest challenge as a business owner, along with encouragement from her new partner Dan Cooper.
She said: "I wanted to start a business that I'd enjoy and would mean I was at home more with Caitlin, who at the time was in the thick of A levels - and it's the best decision I made, because all of a sudden, endometriosis was taking over her life and ours.
"She has been through so much with me and, since her diagnosis four years ago, it's always been my vision to set up a profitable business that I can hand over to her one day.
"But I am a workhorse, and am of the opinion that we should work hard for it. We very much live with Ukrainian ethics and both my parents have worked damn hard. My grandparents came to this country with nothing and my dad together with my mum's support, is self-made."
Now 19, and with the agonising symptoms of her condition under tighter control, Caitlin is steadfast in her supporting role, this time as HR/Business Coordinator, right-hand woman in the business, whilst studying remotely with the Law Academy in London in Employment Law.
The growing team also includes HR Advisors Isabelle Powell and, joining next month, Lauren Worrall.
Bringing together Natalka's leadership and business skills as well as compassion, Aspire HR & Training Consultants is rooted in helping SMEs with outsourced HR services, from employment contracts and HR audits, redundancy and restructuring to disciplinaries, grievance procedures and recruitment.
Natalka said: "I started the business with a simple goal: to make HR support practical, accessible, and human. For me, good HR isn't about endless paperwork or rigid rules - it's about helping your business thrive by supporting the people who make it successful."
But most in-demand has been her support as a McKenzie Friend - a lay person who supports a litigant in person in lieu of a family lawyer in court.
Natalka said: "We provide a unique blend of legal support and experience and emotional well-being assistance to help you navigate these challenging times.
"I'm the secret squirrel in the background who assists with all the paperwork and position statements, provides emotional support and, on the day, I'm in court with them, taking notes and giving them professional support where I can. Most commonly it's for people going through divorce, child arrangements, non-molestation application orders etc.
"But I also specialise in cases of domestic abuse. I am grateful that I'm able to give back after what I went through. I can relate to them emotionally - the abuse, the emotions, the stress, the anxiety, the PTSD domestic abuse brings with it. This role is very much me, it's where I find most reward."
Visit Aspire HR and Training Consultants here.
Visit McKenzie Friend Support Ltd here
Please credit photos to Janus Photography and Everybody Smile Photography (see separate captions
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