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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:
PuzzledObserver · 11/03/2022 08:34

I also don’t think it should be required

It isn’t required. It is going to become possible for those who have space and want to offer it.

Several posters have raised the financial aspect. I have assumed that there would be some allowance available to host families to cover the increased costs. And then if they are successful in finding a job they might be able to contribute.

Personally I wouldn’t be looking to make money, but utility bills would definitely go up and that would need to be covered.

TeloMere · 11/03/2022 08:36

It would be the same as having non-paying guests for up to 6 months.
Even if you've got the room there will be increased fuel, water bills etc.
The average UK family wouldn't be able to afford this.

Citabell · 11/03/2022 08:36

Nope. We have a spare room but even though I know I sound very selfish it's not something we want to do.

purpleboy · 11/03/2022 08:37

@RedWingBoots

No.

I will only open my home to people who are like me and my family. None of them are like Ukrainians.

I'm being as offensive as many of the posts on this issue since the invasion who think racism in the treatment of refugees and those fleeing war zones doesn't matter.

It's a shame you've had to lower yourself to their level to make your point, I'm sure plenty of people will tell you how wrong you are etc.. but I bet they're the same people that wouldn't take in a poc. Thanks
INeedaCalculator · 11/03/2022 08:39

I'd need to find out more. I live alone and have a spare room but I don't have unlimited funds to support another family financially.
I would like to know that there would be help if things didn't go well.
So, yes in principal - but with reservations at the moment.

Overthebow · 11/03/2022 08:40

I’m not sure. We have a decent sized spare room but it would mean no family or friends coming to stay as we only have one spare room, and we rely on parents coming for emergency childcare. I’m also worried about having someone I don’t know in the house as I have anxiety and not sure I could cope long term. I feel really selfish thinking this though as there are children who need taking in and I would hope people would do this for me if needed. I do think it’s the responsibility of all of us to help as where else will people go, there’s nog loads of houses lying empty. If I knew if would definitely only be for 6 months I would probably do it without much thought.

Ijustneedtosleep21 · 11/03/2022 08:40

No. Even if I had the space I wouldn't put my children in that situation.

Dogmum40 · 11/03/2022 08:43

Yes without a shadow of doubt, we have a spare room but not sure they would accept us as a host as we are mid renovation and our current liveable lounge (if you can call it a lounge) only fits us two in on a two seater sofa with no room for more furniture but if they just need a bedroom, bathroom and the use of a kitchen then they can count us in

TravellingFrom · 11/03/2022 08:43

No spare room for us so it’s non starter unfortunately. But I would consider it if it happened in 18months time and dc has left home

problembottom · 11/03/2022 08:43

I genuinely want to. We have a spare bedroom with a bathroom. We also have a playroom, baby equipment and loads of toys. I’d love to host a mum and young child, just need to convince DP now!

TheHorrorOfIt · 11/03/2022 08:44

Yes.

DH and our are way out of our comfort zone on this but we agreed this morning we would sign up for it. We can make appropriate space and manage the increased household costs etc; I won’t lie and say I relish the thought of sharing my home with strangers, particularly as they presumably will have nowhere to go during the day (initially at least) and I am used to spending most of the day wfh alone, during term time. But these are families that desperately need help and we are a family that can provide it right now so I wouldn’t be able to say no. At the very least it will be interesting!

It’s been a useful thought process to go through; exploring some of our thoughts and biases. It’s going to be a difficult conversation with my 16yo DD I think, but hopefully she’ll get it. Awaiting further details on how it will all work and then we’ll act asap

8lue8ird · 11/03/2022 08:45

I will consider it, yes

BocolateChiscuits · 11/03/2022 08:46

I want to. We have a guest room with an ensuite. Our kids are young enough to easily share a bedroom to free up another room.
I haven't mentioned it to DH, but his grandmother came to the UK from eastern Europe after being made a refugee in WW2. So I think he'll take the idea seriously.

weaselwords · 11/03/2022 08:46

I offered my spare room to my Lithuanian colleague, should her relatives need it, yesterday, so will go and look at what is needed to do this more immediately for Ukrainian refugees. Thanks for this post.

Blackcatz · 11/03/2022 08:47

No.

Kendodd · 11/03/2022 08:47

Yes, have large spare bedroom with ensuite.
I don't know if we'd be approved though, we live in the country and have applied before to host refugees from other crisis but rejected because they want cities (I can understand why). I don't see it as that much difference to a lodger. Definitely I'd be more comfortable with females or couple over single man. Overall it seems a much better idea than just sticking them in a hotel room. Hopefully if there is a gov scheme to enable people to open their homes they'll be able to get refugees from earlier waves out of hotel rooms as well.
The schemes run by charities we looked at before were only for failed asylum seekers where all state funding and support had been withdrawn. The local council were only looking for completely self contained accommodation for people previously, not spare bedrooms. If this scheme is implemented, it'll be a big change.

Citabell · 11/03/2022 08:47

It’s going to be a difficult conversation with my 16yo DD I think, but hopefully she’ll get it

Have you not spoken to her about it? I can understand with younger children but wow!

StCharlotte · 11/03/2022 08:50

I thought about it a couple of weeks ago but assumed DH would be anti so didn't say anything. Then last weekend out of nowhere he mentioned that he'd like to do it.

We have a spare room and could accommodate one adult an a child (small double bed - I presume they'd be happy to share) and possibly a baby.

We only have one bathroom which might be tricky but we will certainly have the conversation. At the very least we will donate to www.sanctuaryfoundation.org.uk/ who I believe will be co-ordinating.

HereComesSpringAgain · 11/03/2022 08:50

@weaselwords

I offered my spare room to my Lithuanian colleague, should her relatives need it, yesterday, so will go and look at what is needed to do this more immediately for Ukrainian refugees. Thanks for this post.

Why?

Lithuania? Has something happened

I support a Lithuanian colleague,she's been absolutely terrified and reporting back that her family over there have troops lined up everywhere in readiness

WhatsWithAllTheCarrots · 11/03/2022 08:50

To add to my yes upthread, one of my concerns has been about adding children to and changing the dynamic of a household that already has two young children, and the potential impact on them. But actually I think the impact on them would be very positive overall - I hope it would contribute to shaping them into generous and caring people.

ajandjjmum · 11/03/2022 08:51

DH and I are seriously considering this, but we are fortunate in that we have a separate 'granny' annexe, so wouldn't need to live in the same space. Would only be comfortable committing to a period of six months though.

ColinRobinsonsFart · 11/03/2022 08:51

I had been thinking about it for the past week but said nothing to DH.
Then last night he sent money to DEC and announced we would be perfect hosts as we have two spare rooms, a child friendly home, garden with outdoor toys (we have a grandson) and I have a degree in EY education. I am also semi retired so I would be at home to support our guests.

So yes... we are waiting to apply.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 11/03/2022 08:51

No. I don't have the room or the finances.

CharSiu · 11/03/2022 08:52

No because I have disabilities and have some days where I am really very unwell.

HereComesSpringAgain · 11/03/2022 08:52

I assume financial incentives will be given