Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

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:
MealyPotatoes · 12/03/2022 19:59

I would like to offer my house - unfortunately I can’t at the moment which is very frustrating. There would not be room for anyone as there isn’t even room for me and the kids. We are hoping to move in really soon to a new home with my partner, so if that happens quickly then I would definitely offer this house. It’s a bit of a crap state but it’s cosy. I’d offer my car too possibly.

Of course not everyone wants to or can help, but I definitely think that those pushing the less well off to help should lead by example.

Those seized properties of the oligarchs would be nice and comfortable I reckon…

ninnynonny · 12/03/2022 19:59

@me4real

Lol no
Excellent response. Isn't it hilarious....
Seedandyarn · 12/03/2022 20:02

If I had the space I would be a Yes.

Amybelle88 · 12/03/2022 20:02

If I had a spare room I absolutely would. The only thing is I’d be lying if I said I didn’t worry, too- in comparison to what these poor people have been through and are going through, it’s nothing, but it would also be a stressful situation to do it. However, if I could I still would - I put myself in their shoes for 5 seconds and think why the hell wouldn’t you if you could and had the means? The uk should be offering some form of support to people opening their homes though, people can barely afford to put their heating on at the minute and still want to help so the government need to dig deep in their over inflated pockets and help out, too rather than make the public feel like it’s solely their duty.

jackieh1987 · 12/03/2022 20:03

No.
Just can't afford it.

Dottifile · 12/03/2022 20:04

Yes, we live in a very small house but we can't not

eurochick · 12/03/2022 20:05

The way we looked at it:

Do we want to do it?
On one level no - realistically having people in our space for six months+ would be hard. On another level yes - when I look back as an old lady I would want to feel satisfied I had done the right thing when I had the capacity to help.

Should we do it?
Yes - we have space and if the tables were turned and I had to leave my home with nothing I would hope someone would welcome me.

Will we do it?
We will have to see what the scheme involves but I think it is likely we will offer. We have one spare room and can rearrange things to make another if needed. I am hoping there will be a way to help contacts of a Ukrainian colleague (based outside the U.K.).

Grenlei · 12/03/2022 20:07

No, despite having 2-3 spare rooms. Just like I wouldn't be inviting a random homeless person to move in.

There are plenty of empty houses and buildings in the UK without people needing to use their spare rooms.

SpaceshiptoMars · 12/03/2022 20:08

Lots of worries on here about hosting criminals etc. However... Ukraine is a long way away, and people have left their menfolk stuck there. So most men applying will be over 60 or unfit to fight or single dads. Not quite so scary then. I'd hazard a guess that if you hosted a family, chances are that they would be from as wealthy/comfortable background as yourselves. They need to be able to afford the airfare back and forth to the Polish border at least. People will only want to come to the UK if they already have family here - either established since WW2, or from studying at uni in the UK.

Also, anyone willing to share their home and meals for free for six months - probably isn't thinking about disappearing on fancy holidays for a while!

MidnightMeltdown · 12/03/2022 20:08

No. I'm in an ideal location on the outskirts of a major city with good transport links, but I'm far away from family and need the spare room for when they visit, which is usually several times a year.

If I had a larger house then I might have considered it.

I think it's mostly the older generation, whose kids have flown the nest, who will be in a position to do this.

youhadmeatjello · 12/03/2022 20:08

I wish we could as we have two spare rooms but they are currently mid renovation as we are adding a Jack and Jill bathroom between so it’s an absolute building site. If we hadn’t started the work already I’d postpone and invite a woman and children or small family to stay. We only have one bathroom at the moment that would be tricky and only one reception room but I would probably turn one of the spares into a tv room/lounge and leave the other one as a bedroom. I feel bad we can’t do it to be honest. I really would hope someone would do for us if the shoe was on the other foot.

If people are still needing housing once our renovation is complete I would 100% offer.

MealyPotatoes · 12/03/2022 20:09

It’s really sad how untrusting people on here are.

These are going to mainly be women and children or older people that have fled a war, leaving behind everything they knew and loved. But yeah, they probably just want to rob you.

Crikeyalmighty · 12/03/2022 20:09

No, it’s a nice rented house and I don’t think our landlord would be remotely ok with it.

mummykel16 · 12/03/2022 20:09

@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?

No.
ChardonnaysPetDragon · 12/03/2022 20:10

I wouldn't mind.

I speak Russian, though the DCs and DH do not. The dogs don't mind.

It's for six months though, I think I read somewhere. It's a long time.

LampLighter414 · 12/03/2022 20:13

Anyone paying bedroom tax on council properties should be highly encouraged to take someone in

MidnightMeltdown · 12/03/2022 20:13

It's for six months though, I think I read somewhere

The guardian are reporting 12 month initial period. I can't imagine that they'll be ready to leave in 6 months.

User9805637 · 12/03/2022 20:14

I wonder how many Boris and Carrie will put up at Chequers, that must have many spare rooms, Rishi could put some up in his mansion, then they could maybe enjoy tennis and swimming, I wonder if he will...

BigMamma2020 · 12/03/2022 20:18

I admire the people that could take the refugees in as I can't even imagine what it must be like for them. Personally we can't due to the OH not on board. Maybe as weeks go on we may reconsider as we do have a spare room that we use to work but can probably try go in to work so it's spare again. I just wish though that we would all be so gracious to other refugees as well. The war isn't only in Ukraine. And no we can't save everyone but to even half heartedly try would be better than to turn the other way as we have. On the plus side at least the Ukrainian people will see we are hospitable and welcoming as a society

VaizyCrazyDaizy · 12/03/2022 20:18

Would love to but live in an overcrowded rented home so not going to happen. The queues for the one toilet here are bad. Where I live the council does put a lot of refugee families into private rented homes but it is only due to neighbours helping that they get furniture, clothes and their access to benefits or food money sorted. The local council is abysmal to those in desperate need. They dump people in empty homes ffs with no help.

BobbyeinArkansas · 12/03/2022 20:20

You asked…
No. I have 3 spare rooms, but I won’t. I can’t cope with guests at the best of times. Couldn’t live with strangers.

ItsDisneyBitch · 12/03/2022 20:22

I would love too. Dd has sen and it isn’t possible she just couldn’t share a room. I broached the subject with her. She told me I had a saviour complex.

I would be happy to chip in for an Airbnb and give whatever support I could.

Peasock · 12/03/2022 20:22

@User9805637

I wonder how many Boris and Carrie will put up at Chequers, that must have many spare rooms, Rishi could put some up in his mansion, then they could maybe enjoy tennis and swimming, I wonder if he will...
Hopefully none, I know you think you're doing something by making a point but security wise it's a stupid idea.

And nope, we do have a spare room but no.

BabyDriversMummy · 12/03/2022 20:26

We live in a tiny Flat. I’d give … food, clothes, time.

User9805637 · 12/03/2022 20:29

We have two spare rooms but we couldn't even have our own family inside a few months ago and now we are expected to take in strangers.

Swipe left for the next trending thread