Like many people, I have been horrified by what is happening in Ukraine, and am pleased that the UK government is finally accelerating the rules to allow Ukrainians fleeing the bombing to come, temporarily, to the UK for shelter. We have some spare room and are happy to host a mother and a couple of kids.
The process is still unwieldy though, not least because you can only bring named Ukrainians, and those of us with no ties to Ukraine simply don't know anyone. There are some websites, including facebook, coming to the rescue, but, I don't know, it doesn't feel "right" to me to choose from a list of desperate photos and background stories like picking an unwanted cat from a shelter.
The Sunday Times had a list of other places which match hosts and refugees - and we have now used shelter4UA.com, which is restricted only to Ukrainians and seems to be linked to the charity Shelter. You say how many people (including children and pets) you want to have, and a bit about the accommodation and where you live and about yourself. I don't know how long it will take for them to link us - but hope we can make a difference in a tiny way to one family living in unimaginable horror
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I'm thinking of doing the same so your post is really helpful.My only concern is that no specialist counselling seems to be on offer. I do wonder whether I'd be able to provide the right support to a family who have been through such horrors.
I'm on my own so wouldn't have a partner's support.
You make an excellent point, these people are doing to be very traumatised and are going to need specialist help. It's akin to putting a child from a care home with foster parents who have no training or experience. It simply won't work. I don't know what the answer is but I'm not sure this scheme is it.
My thoughts as well. I would offer room but I’m also on my own and live in a very rural area with no public transport or amenities so what support would be available to them and me. My other concern would be how their health needs will be met, we are already struggling with lack of GP, dental appts and huge waiting lists for procedures so how are these issues going to be solved.
I might also add that we have had international students from my daughters boarding school in the past and it was far from easy, language barriers being the biggest challenge.
There is so much to think about and although I have the space and time it’s just not practical due to my location.
They are talking about it now on This Morning, the Government site opens this afternoon, you have to commit to minimum 6 months and initially be able to financially support anyone you take in. Seems to be a lot of practicalities to think about.
I've also read the £350 payment per month for hosts is for a year only. Yet they are allowing Ukrainians to stay for upto 3. So how will they support themselves, will they be allowed to work or claim benefits? It sounds awful to be worrying about money but it's costly housing someone. I don't think it's been well thought through.
It’s laudable that people want to help in this appalling situation. I’m not sure that enough thought has been given to practicalities and implications of paying hosts.
I remember when they first started paying foster parents. The motives of a minority of carers was dubious. Sad but true.
And if the hosts claim any means tested benefits themselves then that £350 will undoubtedly count as income and be deducted from benefits. Ditto council tax rebate, single occupant rebate.
Gove has now made his announcement and specifically said that the payment doesn't affect council tax single occupancy rebates and isn't income/taxable.
I agree that there is a LOT to think about and eg very rural areas won't be suitable, and obv it isn't for everyone, but there are still things you can do to support those coming into the country - the website I referred to allows you to volunteer to help with transportation and babysitting as well as housing.
The refugees can work/claim benefits so should be able to pay for their own food etc once the system kicks in, but we're expecting to pay the £350 per month [probably up-front as I guess it will take a while to get sorted] in clothes, toiletries, initial food etc and extra utilities - and even getting them from wherever they land to our house. Grandchildren have offered to share toys and have LOTS of spare clothes if ages correspond ... and we're going to buy an extra fridge once we've been "matched". So I don't think there's any "profit" in it!
ps the government website to register with them keeps crashing, which I suppose is good thing
Well, since the Ukraine is one of the main centres of people trafficking and has a very high rate of drug-resistant TB, you can understand why the govt might not want to let just anyone in - might be infectious or a member of organised crime. I wouldn't do it for those reasons - you've no way of knowing who the person is.
I would think getting help to them could be better in the long run . As long as it stops there ! God forbid, then no one can be helped ! Maybe in time those that want to come can be given more suitable help to settle with appropriate support .
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