Are you thinking of taking in Ukrainians?

[Lostmyname]

Came here thinking there would be thread about this, apologies if I've missed it.
We are a family of three with a spare room and I feel like this is something we could do, but am I seeing it through rose-tinted glasses? DH and kids on board with it.

There's no obligation to cater for the refugees. Presumably they'll receive enough money to provide for themselves, although I'd hope to be able to share some meals with them if we do host.

89,000 people have registered now.

Assuming 2 refugees per volunteer that's 178,000

I'm aware not all volunteers will make it through the process to actually hosting, but also some volunteers might take more than 2 refugees.

With the cost of living increasing so much very few people can afford to feed a family with only 350 pounds contribution and to do so for what could be a year or two. It’s a huge ask. on the BBC site they were saying that the £350 would be payable for 12 months. After that I guess you would have to cover the costs yourself.

And in truth we have no idea how long this is going to go on. When Russia invaded Ukraine I think many of us were of the belief that it would be over relatively quickly, but TBH I think it’s entirely possible that it will be one of those wars which goes on for years/decades, and that some people will be permanently displaced.

Once you have someone living in your home it will be very difficult to get them out, especially if they have nowhere to go.

I agree that £350 isn’t much but tbh I imagine that it’s deliberately being kept low so that people don’t sign up just for the money.

The government is saying min six months up to three years. They will give 350 for the first year, they are saying you don’t need to provide food, and they can apply for benefits but until those benefits come through how will they feed themselves?

It takes ages as it is, never mind with hundreds of thousands of applicants additionally. Plus how will schooling, doctors, hospitals etc cope. And if someone wants the Ukrainians to leave their home, then the government is saying the state may get involved. But it’s not a given or how they will do so or even how long for them to do so.

Even if the families hosted get their benefits and can feed themselves, sharing kitchen bathroom etc is very difficult considering this could be for three years,

Also peoole arriving will get standard security checks like biometric, but this doesn’t mean those with a criminal record or inclinations can’t come over.

I think it’s a great thing to do but I honestly suspect many people are applying to do this without fully understanding what they are agreeing to. It is a huge ask by the government, huge, peoooe are being asked to open their homes for up to three years here.

I agree that £350 isn’t much
I disagree. I think 350 is quite a lot. It’s roughly what you might get for letting a room in many parts of the country. I live in London and my lodger paid £400 a month for a double room. You don’t have to provide food.

I disagree. I think 350 is quite a lot. It’s roughly what you might get for letting a room in many parts of the country. I live in London and my lodger paid £400 a month for a double room. You don’t have to provide food. if we’re talking about one adult then maybe, although most rent is way higher than that even for a house share, esp in the cities. But for say a woman and 2/3 kids it really isn’t a lot.

But £350 just simply isn't enough to cover even basic things.
Just prices of gas and electricity is already ridiculous and it's gonna be even pricier.
And I'm not talking about food bills basically for two families.
Also where's clothes, stuff for kids, school fees etc?

No, we don’t have space. I do think there will be huge problems with people sharing their homes. These people will be traumatised, in need of their own space to work through things. In many cases they won’t be able to just fit into someone else’s family life and culture. What are the plans if things don’t work out? Can people (both sides) change their minds? What happens after 6 months? Unless I had a self contained apartment or separate house available I don’t think I would do it.

Ukrainians are proud and hard working people.I imagine that they will want to be independent as soon as possibile...that means finding a job and a place to rent.

I've registered but it seems you have to source your own refugees? Does anyone have any links or information of how exactly to do that?

@Frlrlrubert

I've registered but it seems you have to source your own refugees? Does anyone have any links or information of how exactly to do that?

Try here www.facebook.com/groups/rooms4ukraineuk/?ref=share

DH and I have agreed we will. We have Ukrainian colleagues at work( NHS) so have offered through them to host their family or friends . Not bothered about the money, it's enough to cover the extra expense and our friends who are unable to offer rooms have offered to help with food and transport .

These aren't penniless people, they'll have money to support themselves until other payments start. Chances are you end up with an average person, with the wherewithal to sort themselves out with the basics.

I have just bought a house we were planning to let out, and I am seriously considering offering it to house a Ukrainian family instead. But I'd need furniture and to pay all the bills, I don't think the insurance company would be happy and I won't be able to afford to do this forever - a year I can forgo the rent for, but what happens to the family then? If I'm not even there I have no way of knowing if they have the heating on at 20 degrees 24/7 etc. I know if be taking much less of a risk than someone opening their home, but it still feels big.

@DoYouRememberTheInnMiranda

I have just bought a house we were planning to let out, and I am seriously considering offering it to house a Ukrainian family instead. But I'd need furniture and to pay all the bills, I don't think the insurance company would be happy and I won't be able to afford to do this forever - a year I can forgo the rent for, but what happens to the family then? If I'm not even there I have no way of knowing if they have the heating on at 20 degrees 24/7 etc. I know if be taking much less of a risk than someone opening their home, but it still feels big.

I think there are two types of accommodation Lodger type And Self contained rental properties

I think they would pay their own bills in a self contained property.

They will all be given Money to buy food etc.

We have registered, would only accept women and children as we have DS at home. I doubt we will have anyone placed with us as we live rurally and I imagine most will want to be in towns and cities with good transport, amenities and perhaps other Ukrainians also living nearby.

@itsnevertolate
That FB page makes harrowing reading.
It is, however a good way to match refugees with sponsors.
I haven't decided yet. We have the room and don't need money. I'm just not sure yet.

@LubaLuca

These aren't penniless people, they'll have money to support themselves until other payments start. Chances are you end up with an average person, with the wherewithal to sort themselves out with the basics.

Of course they are penniless. Their currency has tanked. It’s worthless. Their banks don’t even properly operate currently. The people coming over have nothing. Literally nothing.

@ViaBlue

Ukrainians are proud and hard working people.I imagine that they will want to be independent as soon as possibile...that means finding a job and a place to rent.

A job doing what exactly with limited to jo English? Where are these mythical jobs that pay enough so they can save a deposit rent and pay bills?

And thr rate of unemployment is nearly ten percent in the Ukraine, compared to 4 percent here. With a great number financially inactive due to many things from Ill health to parenting to pensionable age.

@Adeleskirts

In my area care homes and nurseries are recruiting. Factories are recruiting. Shops, cafes and restaurants too.
It's very likely that some of the Ukrainians will be professionals and very well educated. I imagine if they want to come to UK they will be able to speak at least some English.

Thank you @itsnevertolate

[quote ViaBlue]@Adeleskirts

In my area care homes and nurseries are recruiting. Factories are recruiting. Shops, cafes and restaurants too.
It's very likely that some of the Ukrainians will be professionals and very well educated. I imagine if they want to come to UK they will be able to speak at least some English.[/quote]
A great many will be proffessional and well educated, as will others who will not be. Ukraine is no different in this regard than any other country in terms of demographics. They are just a normal people.

As for English, approx 18 percent speak English. 82 percent do not. Coming to the uk is about escaping Ukraine with the clothes on your back it’s not a smorgasbord of countries people decide to come to based in language skills.

Poland is a good example. Less than 0.5percent of Ukrainians speak polish, yet nearly two million have entered the country. The primary language in Ukraine is ukrianian, with the second language as Russian.

As much as there will be many people who are well educated professionals who speak English. Many many will not be either. We are so arrogant about English it’s an embarrassment.

The overwhelming odds are eighty percent of rhe people who come to the uk will not speak any English.

I'm not, but I have a few friends who are looking into it. They are all females who live alone and some have done similar stuff before and loved it.

As a woman on my own, if I did have a spare bed I'd ask for a female refugee.
But not only a Ukrainian. They could be any nationality.

For example this country got involved in or helped to cause the conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and now there are many refugees from those conflicts and others stuck at Calais in tents (if they're lucky) starving and without medical aid.
While the Ukrainians are put up in Calais hotels to be given UK Visas.

There is something wrong. Why are the Ukrainians being favoured by the UK over the Arabic & Asian & African refugees?? Could it be they're the right colour?

If you still only want to take in Ukrainians then do that.

But if you'd like to help ALL refugees I recommend donating money to the registered charity Care4Calais. Who help all refugees here & in France.

There is something wrong. Why are the Ukrainians being favoured by the UK over the Arabic & Asian & African refugees?? Could it be they're the right colour?

As has been said 100 times on this thread and all the other similar threads, it's because the Ukrainian refugees are predominantly women and children, or elderly.
Arabic, Asian and African refugees are predominantly young men.