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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:
Porcupineintherough · 11/03/2022 12:32

We are seriously considering it. Our spare room is currently dh's home office though so we need to give some thought to where we could move him to and still leave the open plan part of the house usable for everyone else.

Changes17 · 11/03/2022 12:33

I would if it was needed still after all the volunteers with spare rooms and space were full. We have a spare room but it's usually used as an office since two of us work from home.

I think once I no longer have children at home full-time I'd probably actively volunteer to do this in the future but other people may be better placed right now.

oakleaffy · 11/03/2022 12:33

@reallyneedmoresleep

What happens at the end of the 6 months? It’s something I’d consider but wouldn’t want a long term houseguest yet would struggle to turf someone out with nowhere to go.
This is a very good point. Sharing space can be very tricky, and after the 6 months is up, then what? Tell them to pack their bags and put them out onto the street?

I see a lot of future MN threads like ''I took on a refugee and now they are hogging the bathroom/keeping heating on all day/ making a mess in the kitchen''

Separate annexe and front door would be ideal, but having to fund food and other living expenses would be impossible for many families.

Woollystockings · 11/03/2022 12:33

I’m curious about the language issues. Are Ukrainians more/less/as likely to speak Russian or English as their second language? Is it age dependent - ie, older Ukrainians will speak Russian, younger will speak English? Or city vs country dwellers? Or will many people be quite confident in three languages?

AdoraBell · 11/03/2022 12:34

Yes. DDs have moved out to University and we have space.

NellWilsonsWhiteHair · 11/03/2022 12:34

I would really like to but just don't have space (2 kids in a 2-bed flat, wfh in my kitchen). We could all squish into one room for a few weeks to help someone out in a short term emergency, but not for six months plus.

nottoday3000 · 11/03/2022 12:34

I can't literally no room but why don't they use all the Russian property's they've seized to help out as well

HenryIV · 11/03/2022 12:34

My DF (91) lives alone in a large 5 bedroomed house and I've considered moving him in with us to free up a home for a couple of families at least. My concern is him losing his independence as it's the cooking, gardening, cleaning that keeps him going. Feels selfish to put one person above the acute needs of many, but I'm really undecided. It would also mean a DC losing their room when back from uni, but they have said they're for it and would cope. Bills would be paid the same in either case, but does anyone know what other financial support (food etc) would be expected?

Equalbutdifferent · 11/03/2022 12:35

Not sure, but was going to check with mortgage and insurance companies later. You have to try and do what you'd hope others would do for you, if the boot were on the other foot, don't you?

Thelnebriati · 11/03/2022 12:36

I did used to take in homeless people back when we had a spare room, but we don't now - and even if we did, I'm on benefits. I'm already heavily penalised for having my adult son who's also my carer live here.

Solidarityovercharity · 11/03/2022 12:37

Yes, we're considering it because it seems like the right thing to do. But tbh I'm dreading it becasue I love having my own space. It's a difficult one.

oakleaffy · 11/03/2022 12:38

@nottoday3000

I can't literally no room but why don't they use all the Russian property's they've seized to help out as well
Absolutely this! There are so many properties around in good areas of London that would make luxurious homes for refugees.
Cryofthecurlew · 11/03/2022 12:38

Does anyone know the exact rational for saying only those in cities can offer accommodation. Is it because of access to support etc. Where I live many people live in largish homes often with spare bedrooms as property prices are often quite a lot cheaper than some parts of the UK and we have a significantly higher % of pensioners than many other areas many of whom like my neighbours live in 3,4,5 bedroom house but are only utilising 1/2 rooms. We also have lots of tiny primaries struggling to survive/being threatened with closure.

CandleWick4 · 11/03/2022 12:39

No. I have young children and no spare room and honestly couldn’t handle having a stranger in my house. My anxiety would be through the roof. I have donated and sent supplies through various charity organisations.

CannaBelieve · 11/03/2022 12:39

@oakleaffy

But how would someone on benefits heat/furnish those huge homes?

ImplementingTheDennisSystem · 11/03/2022 12:39

Not a chance. We have a spare room, but I'd hate every second of having someone living with us.

Angrywife · 11/03/2022 12:41

Curious as to how it would work with regards to the additional fuel consumption, additional housework it would create, additional cooking & food. Who's funding and doing all of the above?

Our house is too small for the amount of family in it currently so there's no way we can but I am interested in how it will work

JennyForeigner · 11/03/2022 12:41

Signed up today as a group of churches and local charities. Got the house, got the funding, ready to go!

Citabell · 11/03/2022 12:42

@Cryofthecurlew

Does anyone know the exact rational for saying only those in cities can offer accommodation. Is it because of access to support etc. Where I live many people live in largish homes often with spare bedrooms as property prices are often quite a lot cheaper than some parts of the UK and we have a significantly higher % of pensioners than many other areas many of whom like my neighbours live in 3,4,5 bedroom house but are only utilising 1/2 rooms. We also have lots of tiny primaries struggling to survive/being threatened with closure.
I suspect there's a few reasons. Living in a city makes it more likely that they can retain some independence- ie go to the shops because it'll be within walking distance or with decent public transport; also more likely to be a buoyant jobs market. Support is also key, I volunteered to run some evening groups for refugees when I lived in London, and they found building connections to those with similar experiences etc really valuable. There isn't really a feasible way to have these absolutely everywhere, so having similar things in cities where there are more people seems logical.
oakleaffy · 11/03/2022 12:42

@HenryIV

My DF (91) lives alone in a large 5 bedroomed house and I've considered moving him in with us to free up a home for a couple of families at least. My concern is him losing his independence as it's the cooking, gardening, cleaning that keeps him going. Feels selfish to put one person above the acute needs of many, but I'm really undecided. It would also mean a DC losing their room when back from uni, but they have said they're for it and would cope. Bills would be paid the same in either case, but does anyone know what other financial support (food etc) would be expected?
Our old {91} neighbour was kept going by her 3 bedroomed house. She never wanted to leave it to go and live with her daughter.

Why should your father be made to move if it's his home that keeps him 'Going'?
My neighbour even when she had a fall and broke her leg pleaded for her independence.

It's not really fair to ask your father to move, assuming it's his own home and not a Council housing association place.

Citabell · 11/03/2022 12:44

@HenryIV

My DF (91) lives alone in a large 5 bedroomed house and I've considered moving him in with us to free up a home for a couple of families at least. My concern is him losing his independence as it's the cooking, gardening, cleaning that keeps him going. Feels selfish to put one person above the acute needs of many, but I'm really undecided. It would also mean a DC losing their room when back from uni, but they have said they're for it and would cope. Bills would be paid the same in either case, but does anyone know what other financial support (food etc) would be expected?
Well it's not your choice, it's his home and if he wants to stay there which is reasonable then who do you think you are deciding to move him out to accommodate others.
ReadtheFT · 11/03/2022 12:45

No, didnt have space for the other thousands of refugees, still dont have space for blonde blue eyed ones.

RisingSunn · 11/03/2022 12:45

No, I haven’t done so with other refugees - and unfortunately won’t be able to do so this time around either.

Sunnyday321 · 11/03/2022 12:48

In theory it's a good idea , but in the cold light of day - you should have enough room for them to have somewhere during the day to be that isn't just a bedroom , unless you are willing to have them around you 24/7 for those 6 months .

irishfarmer · 11/03/2022 12:48

I do hope that the hosts are vetted correctly. I saw a man "joke" on a FB post that he would be happy to take in "a hotty refugee woman, maybe two". He said it like he was joking but I would not let any woman anywhere near that sleeze bag, let alone a very vulnerable one.

My grandparents took refugees from Northern Ireland for a few months in the 70s. It was 3 children though and I think they just lumped in with my aunts/ uncles. I don't know where their mother was.

I would really like to help. But I'm not sure our house is suitable so I haven't yet. I will if they push. We live on a rural farm with no public transport and only 1 car so they will be able to go no where. But if needed I do have a spare room.

I don't think anyone particularly wants to share with strangers. I know I don't, but as PPs have said what if that was me/ my family.

Also in Ireland, about 900 people signed up to take in Syrian Refugees, only 30/40 of those were required to.

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