Will you be opening your home up to Ukrainian refugees?

[musicalfrog]

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?

@Favourodds

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.

It's pathetic that the government isn't doing more, yes. It's pathetic that they are relying on people offering rooms in their homes because they don't want to sort anything themselves. It's pathetic as a country how we have treated refugees from many conflicts (some of our own making) over the years. I can't see how it's pathetic that some people aren't on board with having people move into their homes with what will probably be minimal financial and other support.

I've just had a really horrible thought, how will they stop pedophiles (who have no criminal record) from offering their home to women with children and babies? How will they protect these women and children from situations like this?

Maybe. I looked in to hosting a refugee a few years ago (not Ukraine obviously), but I didn't live in a big enough city for the organisation to want me.

No as they never offered this for the millions of other refugees and other races.

Its too biased.
From the reporting to the response.

I would except our house is on the market and so we couldn't make a 6 month commitment as we are hoping to move within that time. We have got a large spare room so happy to take a family. However, even if we weren't moving, I'm not sure our house is best located. We live in a small village, an adult return bus fare to the nearest town is £7.80 and I think that anybody from Ukraine would feel very isolated here.

I wish I had a spare room as I would within a heartbeat 💗

I'm going to have the conversation with DH later. We have the space but financially it might be difficult so may have to wait for details of part-funded schemes if it even happens. We have a spare double room, and DD could share with a child around 3-6 (she already has bunk beds), older or younger children could possibly share with their mum. I wouldn't want adult men or older boys really because of her, it seems harsh to say it but she comes first even if that risk would be small.

We're on the outskirts of a town so probably not the best location, but not the worst either.

He's very introverted, bit his granny and great granny were Jewish refugees in WW2, so I think he'd probably want to help too.

Yes, but I only have a single room - so would have to be a sole woman. Live in a major city and I'm keeping an eye out for the details.
But yes, for sure.

@flirtygirl

No as they never offered this for the millions of other refugees and other races.

Its too biased.
From the reporting to the response.

Historically, yes, the UK has. Even Agatha Christie has stories that involve Hungarian refugees living and working in people's homes (in response to October 1956). Individual humanitarian action was encouraged after the success of the kindertransport of WWII.

encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/kindertransport-1938-40

www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/latest/news/4711_i_fled_to_the_uk_in_1956_this_is_not_the_welcome_i_remember/

It's far more recently that the welcomes and involvement of citizens has changed.

@Favourodds

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.

Surly you’d have some kind of parameters re who you’re hall to have move in with you and have around your toddler? For minimum of months.

My grandmother was an immigrant between the wars. I have put my name down.

@Laniania

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.

...and access to good public transport

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.
I met an ex-colleague earlier this week and he said he could sponsor a single woman to live with him in exchange for some "company", but ideally not someone with children or over 40. I can only hope that whoever vets applicants to these schemes does a good job.

[quote TheSunWillComeOut2moro]@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.[/quote]
But what about au pairs who we've never met coming to live in our homes? I appreciate this is different but I'm not sure why a woman and perhaps child/children would pose a risk to your own children?

I really want to, I think my DH would be on board with it too. We have 3 spare bedrooms currently....but I'm due our first child in August and wouldn't want them to still be here when we have our baby, as horrible/ selfish as that sounds.

I am a massive introvert and can't stand having guests even for a couple of days so I honestly don't know how I would cope for months on end tbh.

We also live rurally with no public transport so unfortunately (for them) they would probably be stuck in the house/ v small village with no amenities for large amounts of time.

But honestly I am so sickened to what's happened the last few weeks and so desperately want to help. We've donated to two aid charities but I know the ultimate gift/ act of altruism would be providing a safe home for someone.

It's something I'm battling with everyday but need to make a decision soon I guess.

Yes yes yes! I also have a 2 bed cottage I rent out so hoping to home at least two families. I truly can not bear to imagine the awful terror the poor children are experiencing. I keep thinking about things like what about nappies for the babies? Food? Milk? Prams and pushchairs?
I feel so awfully terrible for them.

Unfortunately not as ds has autism and complex needs and does not cope well with change or even family members in his space. If it was not for this reason I would do it in a heartbeat. Just hope I can offer help in other ways.

@Sallylondon
Considering the issues most Mumsnetters seem to have with even family visiting for a short period
Although I adored my mil and fil, they both passed away assume time ago. When I think of the rest of my family, I'd rather host Putin than most of them 😂

Absolutely, if we had a spare room. We live in a village with poor public transport though so I’m not sure how great an option we’d be.

Is it laughable to suggest that a small amount of financial support would be provided to help with fuel and food costs?

We are bursting at the seams otherwise most definitely. I had wanted to host a refugee from Afghanistan but couldn’t because of lack of space.

@Woollystockings

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?

Younger people (say, under 35) will all have English to some extent, even if quite basic. Everyone will be able speak Russian.

I would love to and also considered it re young Syrian refugees but now I have an 18m DD and work from home in a small house so not sure how this would work in reality?

Already discussed and yes we will def offer. Lots of details I am unsure about and I know there will be many many awkward and difficult moments but we can shuffle around to make a spare room so how could I say no.

I talked to my kids about this last week.
My Dd said: 'if a Ukranian lady & kids knocked on the door now would we buy them fish and chips, watch a film and let them sleep over?'. She is 14 but ASD so quite 'young'. I said: 'yes, we'd try to help. We'd buy us all some nice dinner, watch a film, make them up a warm bed, & then see what to do for hte best afterwards'.

BUT - we live in the countryside with awful public transport.
It's on an A road, so no good for young kids at all (no garden)
Two teens with ASD & no 'spare room' so for me I don't think I can?

I think it would help refugees to be placed with families but in situations where they can easily access other Ukranians who have had to flee otherwise they might feel very isolated. So, in city areas with access to good amenties but with UK family support would help.

I worry for the traumatised, vulnerable women with kids coming here. And the horrible men who are likely to offer them somewhere to live.