RSA NextGen: Anna Merchuk

Where did you grow up? 

Stryi, Lviv Region, Ukraine.

What did you want to be as a child and what are you now?

As a child, I wanted to be all sorts of things – a hairdresser, writer, politician, anti-corruption campaigner – but above all, an actress. Right now, I work in the charity sector, helping refugees rebuild their lives and genuinely love what I do. I’m still working towards a career in acting and also hope to launch my own business soon. 

What is your idea of happiness? 

I don’t define happiness as a certain action or a moment; to me it’s a way of living. It’s being comfortable with yourself, your own thoughts and choices, and appreciating small things that happen every day..  

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What’s your idea of misery? 

Probably being a nuisance to yourself. Complaining, whining and making other people miserable just because you are in a bad mood. It’s also not knowing what you want to do with your life. So many people I’ve met are just completely dead inside. You ask them what their dream is, and they say, “I don’t know”.  

What are you most passionate about and why? 

I’d say people. They fascinate me. Their stories, feelings, experiences. Everyone has their own little world inside – their ups and downs, their tragedy, romance, something they are ashamed or proud of. I think this is why I am so eager to be an actress; to portray that incredible scope of human emotion. That’s also why I co-founded Nadiya, a charity that supports refugees – especially Ukrainians – to find housing and integrate into UK society. These aren’t just ‘numbers’ or ‘cases’, they’re people with histories, humour, ambition, pain. I’m passionate about making sure they’re treated with dignity.

Tell us about someone who has inspired you 

Ukrainian composer, singer and cultural activist Volodymyr Ivasiuk. He was a genius who wrote more than 100 songs and was killed by Russians in 1979 for promoting national identity and Ukrainian language. He is a symbol of patriotism and freedom for Ukrainian people. I am extremely proud to be a child of a nation with a long history of an invincible spirit.

If you couldn’t be yourself, who would you be? 

Probably someone like Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Witty, fearless and creative. 

What is the one thing every person should be doing to save the planet?

Try to make the right choices. I know we are all influenced by different factors – our upbringing, propaganda, inequality. But at the end of the day, we must be able to do the right thing. Otherwise, what’s the point?

Why did you become a Fellow of the RSA? 

It’s a very cool community with people who know what they want out of life and how to achieve it. I truly believe that you become whoever you surround yourself with. The RSA brings together all social groups, all ages, all sorts of characters. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of it?