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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:
Jobconfused · 11/03/2022 13:41

How do you sign up?

HoldenCaulfieldismyhomeboy · 11/03/2022 13:41

My youngest has asd/sen needs. I have a spare room and would love to be a foster carer too but with his additional needs it is not practical at all unfortunately.

ImAvingOops · 11/03/2022 13:42

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

Fed up of people thinking that those who live in council/HA properties should have fewer rights than those who pay a mortgage. So long as his rent is being paid, that's his house and not for anyone else to determine his entitlement to keep it!

speakout · 11/03/2022 13:43

I would love too. I have a huge spare bedroom with en suite that could sleep 3/4.

But I don't have the headspace.

TabithaHazel · 11/03/2022 13:49

I'd like to in principle, but would be concerned about giving a key to basically complete strangers and we couldn't change the lock when they moved out as it would be too expensive. I would probably sign up to do it if it was just for short term stays. But with the government's policy so far, will enough Ukrainian people even need accommodation here?

SofiaSoFar · 11/03/2022 13:50

@Alondra

With large movements of displaced people, around 10% are criminals

Priti???

Is that you?!

I always suspected you'd be on here somewhere!

Favourodds · 11/03/2022 13:55

This thread is peak... everything.

Something should be done for those poor refugees. But not by us. A stranger! In the house! My goodness, no, no.

Absolutely pathetic.

whynotwhatknot · 11/03/2022 13:59

No i have anxiety i struggled when i took my dsis in for a while was on edge i cant live with strangers

Fernandina · 11/03/2022 14:02

Not really practicable as we have a small house and simply don't have the room, but if someone turned up in extremis on the doorstep with literally nowhere else to go, then of course I'd ask them in and look after them.

There but for the grace of God, and all that.

Woollystockings · 11/03/2022 14:02

But how many people are genuinely expecting to host any refugees? Isn’t the government just letting in family members of Ukrainians already in the country? Unless the government is planning to change that policy.

EmbarrassingHadrosaurus · 11/03/2022 14:02

@Favourodds

This thread is peak... everything.

Something should be done for those poor refugees. But not by us. A stranger! In the house! My goodness, no, no.

Absolutely pathetic.

As PPs have mentioned this is where Sanctuary and similar initiatives are helpful. Chipping in to settlement support for a family for a home to be rented in various communities or providing practical assistance in other ways.

Potential ways you could be involved include:

Welcoming a Ukrainian family to live in your community
Finding and possibly furnishing suitable accommodation
Raising of support funds (in previous sponsorships this has been £1k - 9k per family) ( My addition: Churches, communities and groups are raising money, it doesn't have to come from individuals alone. )
Befriending and integration support through volunteering your time

www.sanctuaryfoundation.org.uk/

eurochick · 11/03/2022 14:03

I have a Ukrainian colleague based outside Europe and I have asked her if she has friends or family we might be able to help. That would be a lot easier than opening our home to a complete stranger. Although I think we would do that if needed.

Redissuereader · 11/03/2022 14:08

@Jobconfused

How do you sign up?
I signed up here as I heard that it where the scheme is being run from.

www.refugeesathome.org/host-application/

CannaBelieve · 11/03/2022 14:10

I think having no 'headspace' is reasonable

We have just emerged from a pandemic which has damaged mental health

The fragility of that combined with trauma. It's reasonable we feel we need to take care of 'us' whilst helpingUkraine in other ways

I'm sure someone will be along to criticise that. There usually is at least one.... but they won't say who they have taken in themselves , or if they do it's most likely made up

Ibizafun · 11/03/2022 14:15

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

Bet you wouldn't fancy your children being in THEIR situation?? Don't mean to be judgy but impossible to imagine their trauma and despair.

My father arrived here aged 7 and starving on the Kindertransport during WW2. A family who didn't have enough food for their own children took in him and his brother, and shared what little food they had. It's a really hard thing to do and not for everyone but I have the privilege of living in peace and will be offering my home it's the least I can do.

Citabell · 11/03/2022 14:17

@Favourodds

This thread is peak... everything.

Something should be done for those poor refugees. But not by us. A stranger! In the house! My goodness, no, no.

Absolutely pathetic.

Seems more pathetic to judge people- there are many reasons why someone wouldn't be comfortable or logistically able to take someone in, and that's okay. Good for you though for hosting refugees from around the globe previously which presumably you have done to be so judgemental.
canicross · 11/03/2022 14:18

I'd need more info before committing, but yes, I'm open to the idea.

TheSunWillComeOut2moro · 11/03/2022 14:24

@Ibizafun no one would want to be put into their situation granted, but equally safeguarding your own children should be your priority as a parent. I wouldn't invite any stranger to stay in my home no matter where they had come from, I have 3 young children, the youngest is still a baby.

Laniania · 11/03/2022 14:24

I've done short stop before for asylum seekers, it was fine. I understand how people are wary about having men they don't know in the house, which most of the time is what most solo asylum seekers are. That is NOT to make any reflection at all on them as people or their actual characters, just that I can see why some women would be uncomfortable welcoming men they don't know into their homes. (I did and was fine but I know some people might not be fine with it and that's okay.) However majority of Ukrainians currently fleeing war are women and children which makes it easier. I would definitely consider it but I'm not in the UK right now so easy for me to say I guess. In some of my homes it would have been fine, some were just way too small.

Sallylondon · 11/03/2022 14:26

Considering the issues most Mumsnetters seem to have with even family visiting for a short period, I am surprised at the number on this thread offering to host. Having a traumatised refugee living with you indefinitely is likely to be a LOT more stressful than your mother-in-law coming for a couple of weeks.
Also " at least six months" is not the same as "six months and then they're gone".

Laniania · 11/03/2022 14:26

Does anyone know the exact rational for saying only those in cities can offer accommodation

They will need to access services initially which could be very difficult for them in the country.

speakout · 11/03/2022 14:30

Favourodds

Please don't embarrass yourself.
Is it so difficult to imagine scenarios where people have the space but not able to offer accommodation.
I have a large spare room, would fit a small family.
But I am a carer to my elderly mother who lives with me and a severely depressed and often suicidal adult son who also needs a lot of support. I also manage to work 40 hours a week from home.
You didn't need to know that, but just an example of how complicated people's lives can be.
I have room, but I don't want to bring refugees into this situation.

babybluegirl · 11/03/2022 14:30

We would but we don't have a spare room and the Irish red cross are vetting the houses and ours with 6 people in it already wouldn't be suitable. That said the two schools are within walking distance and we are on a bus route - I really want to help - I worry about people fleeing being put into other dangerous situations - my kids would be on board also - if the criteria change we will move my husband out of his office and create space. We both work from home so we could be a good support I think. I know our local community would be of great help also and we have recently welcomed other refugee families to a local hotel and I feel that might happen again.

Imyourvenus · 11/03/2022 14:31

No. If we had a separate annex, I would consider it

Favourodds · 11/03/2022 14:31

Good for you though for hosting refugees from around the globe previously which presumably you have done to be so judgemental.

Mate, my name will be right down on that list and I hope, with my whole heart, I can help someone find their feet in this absolutely horrific situation.

And I hope my toddler can learn something about compassion and helping others, even if we're a bit nervous about doing it.

I don't retract my statement at all. It's pathetic and I hope this country never finds itself needing refuge elsewhere.