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Original poster

Will you be opening your home up to Ukrainian refugees?

999 replies

musicalfrog · 11/03/2022 08:03

Interested to see how popular this will be considering so many of us want desperately to make a tangible difference.

My OH wouldn't be up for it I don't think, and we don't have a spare room so I will avoid that particular argument. But otherwise I think it would be such a great thing to do.

The govt is asking for a minimum commitment of 6 months. Will you be signing up?

OP posts:
SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 11/03/2022 11:44

Nope.

Sorry but no. We both work full time and have enough trouble trying to find and afford appropriate childcare for our own child who isn't going through any major traumatic changes in his life, let alone being emotionally available for a child who's whole world has turned upside down.

I do have a spare room, but unfortunately it won't be available due to the above reasons

Muppetlove · 11/03/2022 11:44

Would love to know how many MPs or those in the upper classes open up their homes and second homes. I bet very few.

Comedycook · 11/03/2022 11:44

Of course I would. I have a spare room. It would mean I’m gaining a friend for life

Hmm.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 11/03/2022 11:44

I agree the scheme is designed to discourage take up ...

I'm not sure they'd even need to design it that way
As folk have rightly recognised there's an almost total lack of support for trauma, etc, even for our own population, so I wouldn't want to assume they'll magic up something for refugees

Playplayaway · 11/03/2022 11:45

We have a small spare room but have adult dc who need to use it at times and dh uses it for work 4 days a week. We could offer something temporarily but six months is too much.

I work part time and would be happy to help in other ways and can offer a bit of help with meals, laundry, cleaning etc a couple of days a week, as a kind of support service to those who take refugees into their homes.

HELLITHURT · 11/03/2022 11:46

We are looking into this.

Cryofthecurlew · 11/03/2022 11:47

[quote Gonnagetgoing]@HereComesSpringAgain - I think that’d work much better as an au pair.

If it were me though and eg I was put up but say I offered to clean, imagine if you’ve come from the Ukraine had to leave your job and family but then had to clean? Might lead to resentment but say if it’s a man or they could do eg gardening etc that may be a compromise especially if they can’t travel to study etc.[/quote]
I’m not sure why being asked to assist with cleaning would cause resentment many people from all walks of life clean their homes. If someone offered me accommodation for 6 months I’d offer to assist with household chores its just what you do.

worriedmum2022 · 11/03/2022 11:47

I have a couple of houses I rent out and if they become vacant would offer them out to help people but I'd need rent as they are on buy to let mortgages and they would
Have to cover utilities same as any other tennants

I wouldn't have them with my family tho even tho we have a spare room

FantasticFebruary · 11/03/2022 11:48

@Angelswithflirtyfaces

How many people fleeing will be staying with Boris, Rishi, and the M.Ps with large homes

Do you not think they have been through enough trauma without that??

missymousey · 11/03/2022 11:50

What if I want to take in a Syrian family? Do I have to go and smuggle one from Calais?

Loudhousefun · 11/03/2022 11:51

Caravan park idea is a brilliant one and it would also give them a sense of community with outdoor play for the kids, opportunities for friendship and distraction from the immediate. I would be happy to donate to any scheme like this that puts children first.

bellsbuss · 11/03/2022 11:52

No as we have young children and wouldn't want the risk of strangers in our home.

HereComesSpringAgain · 11/03/2022 11:53

The link I read says the care sector has many vacancies so they hope refugees would take in those jobs

Helps everyone!

Also, empty care homes will take a fair few refugees. There's many empty homes apparent

Refugees are entitled to benefits so I'm not sure why people are saying they would lose out financially.

JustAnotherApple · 11/03/2022 11:54

@Loudhousefun

Caravan park idea is a brilliant one and it would also give them a sense of community with outdoor play for the kids, opportunities for friendship and distraction from the immediate. I would be happy to donate to any scheme like this that puts children first.
Yes I agree this is a good idea
scoobydo99 · 11/03/2022 11:54

This seems a very misguided scheme. Caring for refugees and asylum seekers is a Government responsibility, and we should not be relying on the goodwill of individuals to determine how many are supported by our country. They could end up dispersed all over the country with no formal support, and while the government says that sponsors will be "vetted" how will safeguarding be assured? The government should be looking for ways to house and support Ukrainians so that they can maintain links with each other and access specialist services. There is a lot of under-utilised university accomodation for instance that could be used. Obviously that will cost a lot more though which is why the Government is pushing the burden onto individuals.

Rathgar · 11/03/2022 11:56

will the goverment offer financial assistance

JustAnotherApple · 11/03/2022 11:56

@scoobydo99

This seems a very misguided scheme. Caring for refugees and asylum seekers is a Government responsibility, and we should not be relying on the goodwill of individuals to determine how many are supported by our country. They could end up dispersed all over the country with no formal support, and while the government says that sponsors will be "vetted" how will safeguarding be assured? The government should be looking for ways to house and support Ukrainians so that they can maintain links with each other and access specialist services. There is a lot of under-utilised university accomodation for instance that could be used. Obviously that will cost a lot more though which is why the Government is pushing the burden onto individuals.
Exactly
CockingASnook · 11/03/2022 11:57

Yes, I’m keen to do this, once the details are clear (how are the refugees vetted, allocated, what are the employment requirements etc). I have a spare house in the Southeast that could house a couple of families of women and children. Every night I feel fortunate that I’ve had a hot meal and safe place to sleep and that I’m not being shelled by Russians.

Pyewhacket · 11/03/2022 11:57

*But the government should be the ones to at the first instance be supporting refugees

After that if individuals want to step up and offer accommodation then great but it feels like it’s just a way for the government to get out of their responsibility*

............ So you think the government can suddenly magic-up accommodation for up to 1/2 million people, on top of the 150, 000 or so migrants who invade the south coast on a daily basis.

Take a lesson from the Polish people and start looking at what you PERSONALLY can do to help. Being an arse doesn't help anybody and makes you look inadequate.

EdithStourton · 11/03/2022 11:57

No.

We have donated goods and money, but both DH and I find about three days of guests is quite enough. If we had a stand-alone annex then yes, I 100% would, or if DD decided to give up her flat to a refugee and came home I would also 100% support that.

It would also be very difficult in our house for anyone to have any privacy, because of the layout.

I feel a bit shot about this, TBH

FantasticFebruary · 11/03/2022 11:58

@Kay00

We're considering it. We have a recently decorated spare room (in addition to our guest bedroom) on a different floor to our bedroom. We're both professionals working hybrid, no kids, but two large dogs. We live in the centre of a small city so plenty of access to services.

The only issue is we will soon be ripping out our crappy kitchen, and fully renovating the downstairs which will be quite disruptive, and could potentially be loud with a lot of banging.

They're coming for refuge from a war, not a holiday, I don't think the noise from replacing a kitchen is going to phase them!!
Dentistlakes · 11/03/2022 11:58

No, we don’t have any room. I have donated what I can afford in terms of money (and will continue to do so) but we also have to take into account the huge rises in the cost of living which are only going to worsen.

EdithStourton · 11/03/2022 11:58

*shit.
Bloody autocorrect cleaning up my language for me.

Underfrighter · 11/03/2022 12:00

I would look into it, yes. We have a spare room with a double bed and en suite. I've lived in enough house shares over the years to be ok with compromising over most issues for a few months. I would want to be clear on what the 6 month minimum is though, as in, what if you get matched with an absolute nightmare person who is impossible to live with like if you dont smole and they insist on smoking in your house or something that is just not acceptable. I'd be more up for it if I knew we could just stop if it really wasnt working out despite our best efforts. My husband isn't keen though. We have kids but I think it will be good for them to see that we can do practical things to help others, and they've actually got it pretty easy

Cheesechips · 11/03/2022 12:01

No. We don't have a spare room. If I did I would consider taking a woman and young child in. No doubt the government will make it very difficult though. I do hope background and criminal records checks are insisted on for the hosts though as lots of the refugees would be vulnerable to abuse and trafficking.