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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:
Joystir59 · 11/03/2022 13:07

Nope. I have been considering offering a room to a local woman escaping domestic violence though. But .. I probably won't do anything as on reality although I have a big house (wife died, mother in law moved out), I am very private and unsociable, and have a very reactive dog.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 11/03/2022 13:08

@BigSkies22

do you understand that there are many complexities involved with street homeless people that can't always be solved by just giving them a home?

Not to derail, but I think Finland has a 'homes first' policy where homeless people are 'just' given a home and then the problems of their mental health/substance abuse/worklessness/debt/gambling problems are tackled subsequently. And it has been very successful in keeping formerly street sleepers and, if you like, 'chronically' homeless, safely homed and off the streets. Which makes absolute clear sense really, because how can you tackle substance abuse in someone who has no fixed abode.

As to the original question: I need to find out about this. I have been thinking to myself that we could manage it, but only for a few weeks at a time while some more permanent arrangement were made for the people we we were hosting. And we could do that repeatedly.

Six months minimum sounds too tall an order, because our 'spare' rooms are actually my DS' rooms and he comes and goes from university, and to host someone for that length of time would mean he either couldn't come home or we would have to put stuff in storage and buy/hire different furniture. Which I know sounds lame compared to the horrific upheaval that refugees are facing and fleeing.

Absolutely, but addiction and mental health support in this country is a shambles, so until that is fixed just giving a street homeless person a home and leaving them to it won't often work.
ivykaty44 · 11/03/2022 13:08

yes I can do, where tis the information?

Bettyboopawoop · 11/03/2022 13:09

It's a Peados dream unfortunately whever it's one from the UK or Ukraine.

TellerTuesday · 11/03/2022 13:11

No absolutely not. I also think it's a totally unrealistic idea

BeyondPurpleTulips · 11/03/2022 13:13

I'm on UC, so sadly I imagine the DWP would find something sactionable about taking in refugees

Redissuereader · 11/03/2022 13:14

Yes, we signed up this morning. Although we have started to cut back on non-essentials due to cost of living, we do have spare rooms and therefore I've applied to host, with the preference of a family. I feel so desperately sorry for all those women leaving their homes and support networks behind. We have friends in the UK Ukrainian community so can keep them connected in some small way.

Fahrted · 11/03/2022 13:14

I couldn't even if I wanted to, as I have no spare room and only one bathroom/loo which already has more than enough pressure on it. Plus I couldn't afford to add to my bills.

If none of those applied, I'd still think very carefully about having someone in my house for that length of time. I wouldn't rule it in or out at this stage. Language wouldn't worry me - that's the bit I'd enjoy.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 11/03/2022 13:17

What happens at the end of the 6 months?

Almost certainly those hosting would be told that housing/support/whatever was "very nearly ready" and if they could just hang on for a little bit longer everything would be sorted

Rinse and repeat until hell froze over ...

implantreplace · 11/03/2022 13:17

[quote Shadowmallow]@implantreplace
Of course! But all these people appear to do is moan and complain because they've become lonely, self absorbed and bitter. Despite having everything. A lot of them complain of being bored all the time because they have so much free time. They also consider themselves morally superior, but do little to give back to their communities. Maybe doing something like this would be good for them is all I mean.[/quote]
So much bitterness even on your follow up

LizzieSiddal · 11/03/2022 13:19

It’s something I would do in the future but not at the moment as I work full time. It’s a huge commitment, you can’t just show someone a spare room and carry on with your life. You must be able to spend time with them and help them settle into their new life.
I was listening to Woman's Hour who had a lady on who runs a charity who place refugees with families in the UK. She says the government scheme is ridiculous, migrants need money, which is not forthcoming from the government, plus to suggest it’s just for 6 months is pie in the sky.

Schools2023 · 11/03/2022 13:21

At the risk of the most middle class post ever, do you think there's a way to offer specific things? ie we're a very musical family with lots of instruments so we would suit someone who needs a piano etc.

CannaBelieve · 11/03/2022 13:21

They will be allowed full benefits

Blanketpolicy · 11/03/2022 13:22

We don't have a spare room so not sure how it would work. We or ds could possibly bunk on the couch if someone needed help for a few days, but it is exam year for him so would have an impact if they needed to stay for longer.

I am aware that is very selfish considering what the refugees have been through, but I don't think they would be comfortable with our set up, where they would have no privacy, either for more than a few days.

If I had the space/spare room(s) I absolutely would, but women and children only. Perhaps an elderly gentleman if necessary.

Fistikfistik · 11/03/2022 13:23

Honestly can't afford to look after anyone else

Bunce1 · 11/03/2022 13:29

I am interested in it, thinking about young girls/woman who would be vulnerable to trafficking if not helped.

bumblefeline · 11/03/2022 13:30

No definitely not.

Buggersticks · 11/03/2022 13:30

If we had the space, I definitely would.

implantreplace · 11/03/2022 13:32

Honestly

As I said upthread according to my friend who has operated in Ukraine for last twenty years

Most Ukrainians would choose many many other counties before even remotely considering the UK unless family here

Imnoteatingthat · 11/03/2022 13:34

No space here. I’d like to say I’d help otherwise but that’s easy to say when you know you can’t.

Retrievemysanity · 11/03/2022 13:34

Yes seriously thinking about it. Length of time and financial implications are concerning, I won’t lie but seeing the news is just heartbreaking. I would want someone to help me and my girls if the shoe was on the other foot.

CountrySpot · 11/03/2022 13:35

There's no point thinking about it as we're really rural so not wanted.

If there's ever another need to send kids as evacuees though I'll sign up! (Really hope not!!)

TheFoldOx · 11/03/2022 13:37

@implantreplace

Honestly

As I said upthread according to my friend who has operated in Ukraine for last twenty years

Most Ukrainians would choose many many other counties before even remotely considering the UK unless family here

With 2.5 million Ukrainians having left the country already, even a tiny fraction is still a lot of people.
implantreplace · 11/03/2022 13:39

The likelihood is
The overwhelming majority would ONLY choose the Uk as a very last resort if family was here.

Seriously the offers are kind
But the UK is being seen as pretty much a last resort for most

UnbeatenMum · 11/03/2022 13:40

I think I would have if we had a spare room and didn't have DC with additional needs who might find strangers in the house stressful or upsetting.

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