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?

Curious if people may think differently about hosting if their Ukrainian refugees are Roma. There’s a lot of Roma people in Ukraine.

Sorry, meant to add, there’s a lot of prejudice against them here and in Europe. One of my DC lives in Central Europe and there’s just general open abuse to Roma there.

Oh the story is that he has a van.
Going out there with supplies
Contacted by a woman in Brighton off Facebook who’s niece is In a camp alone as grandma in hospital
Mother awol

This man being lauded because he is going to pick her up with intention of bringing her back to aunt In Brighton

WTAF

The potential child protection issues raised by all these do-gooders is what disturbs me more than anything

These children deserve the same protection as a British child and no way would we place a British child in British home without very in depth investigation and involvement. Rightfully so.

And as for a man with a van dropping a child off in Brighton to someone “who contacted me on Facebook”…. No words

I could consider it. I don’t know much about how it would work in practice be honest.

Previously I was given to understand that people in cities or towns are usually better placed as are people in local communities with similar origins to the people displaced.

I’m in a village with some transport links and a reasonable Eastern European population so it might be useful this time.

I am though a single person on my own with one spare room - I couldn’t accept a male unfortunately.

I could potentially take a woman though but if it’s just about room for one person I’m not sure it would be ideal ?

How do you become a host ?

We are seriously considering it.

We have a spacious spare room with en-suite. We could afford it.

Our location is the issue. I looked into it for an Afghan family but they only wanted city or town hosts. We live on a farm albeit within walking distance of a small town and on food bus routes.

I'm nervous as we have an 9 year old and a 7 year old. But like a previous poster I thought of the that Bible passage. And the terror, exhaustion and stress that getting on a train with young kids and no idea of where to go or when you will get a meal just breaks my heart. We could provide a safe warm and well fed place for someone to rest and be safe for a bit. When I think that I think we need to do it.

I housed a refugee and her baby a few years ago when I had a spare room. I don't now though, so no, sadly not. We also now have a very neurotic rescue dog who is scared of people coming into the house and barks so I don't think that would be a good environment for someone fleeing with trauma.

If I didn't have ddog, and I had a spare room, then absolutely yes.

@Lampface I think you're awesome!! Maybe you could start an AMA?

Yes. My grandma was a Jewish child refugee from Austria and I only exist because a family took her in. If I can take a refugee then I will.

[quote SuperSocks]@Lampface I think you're awesome!! Maybe you could start an AMA?[/quote]
I think someone did at one point who has hosted refugees - it may still be there ?

The plans have t been firmed up. I would imagine we would be given help with bills if housing refugees. I read that: Those offering a place to stay will be vetted and have to agree to house a refugee for a minimum period. it didn’t say six months; this has been speculated by the media as a possibility. I would offer, yes. Six months might be pushing it as we are moving but I would happily provide interim shelter.

For those asking about hosting etc.

Ideas of how to help, community and church funding, and practicalities here:

www.sanctuaryfoundation.org.uk/

www.refugeesathome.org/

and for Scotland

refugeecouncil.org.uk/

I simply cannot believe the government is doing this - the safeguarding problems are blindingly obvious. Predators will flock to scoop up vulnerable women and children.

I'd definitely take a woman and child(ren). But I wouldn't be considered as I live rurally.

@HermioneWeasley

I simply cannot believe the government is doing this - the safeguarding problems are blindingly obvious. Predators will flock to scoop up vulnerable women and children.

They will be vetted.

@hassletassle

I'd definitely take a woman and child(ren). But I wouldn't be considered as I live rurally.

Well only women and children are allowed out if the country for several weeks now so it’s very unlikely that men will be part if the package. Not sure why you wouldn’t be considered either tbh. Living in a rural area isn’t a sin

@EmbarrassingHadrosaurus

Thank you- from that link I wouldn’t be suitable at the moment as I am not in a town or city although not especially rural either.

Not sure why you wouldn’t be considered either tbh. Living in a rural area isn’t a sin

Because as it stands, you need to live in a city or town to be accepted. Maybe those guidelines will change.

@OohRahhMaki123

I work in this sector. I think people need to think hard about the time and emotional commitment as well as the space and financial commitment.

What we do not need are people who underestimate the commitment and then re-traumatise a family further by a failed placement.

That’s good advice, but I’m really hoping that there will be professional, experienced people involved in setting placements up, helping to prepare (and vet) prospective hosts, and to support them on an ongoing basis. I don’t think it will be a question of just turning up at the airport and grabbing a random Ukrainian family.

@PuzzledObserver
I’m not sure that’s happening in Poland etc, though, now. I wouldn’t hold your breath at expecting a load of professional experienced people setting things up.

We're considering it. We have the space and 18 year old DD brought it up independently so is definitely up for it. DH is a bit anxious about it, but I think once he's thought it through will probably be up for it. We've coped pretty well with kids all moving in and out over the last few years - I reckon we can cope with a new person and possibly a child or two. I would rather someone speaks a bit of English though.

Sadly no. I do have a spare room but only 1 bathroom and as I have crohns disease it's enough sharing it with DP.

Queens excess palaces and MPs second homes first.... Then I might consider it

There are hundreds, if not thousands of flats sitting empty in London mainly, bought as investments by people from the Middle East and china, and never rented. That's a crime.

Yes it’s shocking and the law should be changed - but as the law stands the properties can’t just be seized.

Yes because all of us could quite easily be that family escaping conflict, with just our children and a suitcase. It could be us, it really could.
On that basis, yes.

No