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Original poster

Our guests from Ukraine have arrived so why am I crying.

208 replies

Yoohoo778611 · 03/04/2022 18:03

I don't know how to tag my last thread. Having people from Ukraine staying.
Ours guests arrived yesterday afternoon. 2 mums (sisters) with a toddler each.

The reason I'm crying is this afternoon a delivery was made by someone in our area
of a toddler sized slide and a swing. Some gift cards and letters were posted through our letter box
welcoming them to our town.
All anonymous. I think it might be people from our street(it's quite a long one) so can't narrow it down.

OP posts:
TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 03/04/2022 21:46

So encouraging to read about some Ukrainians actually getting here, ours are still waiting for visas and we are all getting very stressed. I hope they settle in easily and it all works out for you all x

Original poster
Yoohoo778611 · 03/04/2022 21:49

Thank you for your lovely messages.
These ladies have a better command of English than us Ukrainian.
The toddlers are little girls. They are understandably nervous around us.
The little ones have only just started to talk so no English.
But we could hear giggles when they were on the slide.
The mums want to buy new underwear I didn't get any as that's personal.
Hopefully we can set up appointments for banks, benefits, GP etc this week.
We haven't asked anything about their families in Ukraine I'm sure they will
tell us when they get to know us better if they want to.
We will take it day by day.
It must have been fate as we were thinking of putting the house on the market
now our children have left home and out Grandchildren don't sleep over now.

OP posts:
Luredbyapomegranate · 03/04/2022 21:50

What a nice thread!

PurpleDrain · 03/04/2022 22:00

Aah good luck op.
One thing I picked up on some recent training I did about refugees is not to ask them a lot about their circumstances or journey etc as it is supposedly re traumatising for them.
Sounds like your doing it right by not asking them lots of questions.
Hope they settle in with you.

nopuppiesallowed · 03/04/2022 22:01

When there is so much dreadful news coming out of Ukraine this light shining out of the darkness is an absolute joy!

Redsquirrel5 · 03/04/2022 22:02

That is so lovely to hear.

CallmeHendricks · 03/04/2022 22:10

This is a lovely thing to hear.
Thank you for what you're doing.

newusername2009 · 03/04/2022 22:13

Hi - can I ask you a few questions for you to reply when you have time please.

How long did your visas take and did the all come together? I have had an email that daughter is with decision maker but nothing for mother. They are travelling from one place to another whilst waiting so quite anxious.

How do you apply for benefits? The mother and daughter coming to me don’t speak a lot of English and I’ve been lucky enough not to have to claim benefits myself so I really don’t know much about the system - I know there is a specific route for Ukrainian refugees also so hoping you can advise. I would imagine they would like their own money so as not to feel so reliant on us.

I’m quite a fast moving person so really going to have to work on a personality transplant to let them move at their own pace when here. I can’t imagine the trauma they have been through and I am guessing space and peace is what they need. The daughter we will be hosting is older so not a little one like you - we imagined having a little but it didn’t work out that way.

DuggeeHugPlease · 03/04/2022 22:14

This is so lovely to read.

I think it's amazing for anyone to open up their homes like this. We couldn't as we don't have a spare bedroom and both work from home (in the living space) but to be honest even if I did have the space I'm not sure I'd be this selfless.
If I knew someone in my local community was doing this I'd certainly want to take them a gift though. I'm so glad they have been made to feel welcome.

Aliceforgot · 03/04/2022 22:18

This is a lovely thread! Flowers

Neverendingdust · 03/04/2022 22:22

Brilliant OP! I wish them and your family all the very best.

Xenia · 03/04/2022 22:26

Good luck to them. I know you should not question them too much but the UK police are helping the Ukrainians gather evidence of war crimes and do need those prepared to talk to keep all their records of what Russians have done, things which are utterly dreadful.

Josette77 · 03/04/2022 22:30

I love everyone in this. You, your guests, the gifters. So much love for all of you. 💗

murasaki · 03/04/2022 22:31

I hope they are all settling in, well done to you and your neighbours. I bet the giggling was a joyous sound. Hope it all continues to go well with you all, you are doing a great thing. Xenia has a point re reports, but as others have said, I'd take any conversations to be led by them on the situation there, they must just need to start to settle right now, you and your dh sound great.

familyissues12345 · 03/04/2022 22:34

Ah this is lovely. My parents are just sorting out a family, we would have loved to take a family in but we don't really have the space Sad, so we've offered support in the shape of toys, clothes etc

mentalhealth323 · 03/04/2022 22:41

Hi Op,

I’m glad the local community has came together to support you!

Sorry to jump on but I’ve passed the house inspection but I don’t think they’ve started doing the DBS process? They did take a picture of my passport during the house inspection but usually for DBS they need other information too? We’re all sitting on our hands waiting for the green light!

Original poster
Yoohoo778611 · 03/04/2022 22:52

We are retired so have plenty of time and space to help.
Perhaps our local council were very helpful everything
came through quickly.
We also don't know anything about benefits so we are hoping
their officers are set up to help.
Apart from the giggling we hardly hear the little ones.
Whether that's normal for them or what they have gone through.

OP posts:
FrydayFish · 03/04/2022 22:52

You're amazing and awesome and should be so proud of what you have done.
Proof that good will triumph over evil.

OhYeahyeahyeah · 03/04/2022 22:55

This is lovely, please keep us updated on their settling in Smile

Aaaabbbcccc · 03/04/2022 22:55

Poor little kids. I am crying thinking about how lovely it is for them to be able to laugh and play. It is such a simple thing for them. Their mums must feel so relieved to hear them play again.

theschitt · 03/04/2022 22:59

This is so wonderful op thank god they are safe and have each other. I am so scared of how many women and children are in danger as they leave their counties.

Clockstooforward · 03/04/2022 23:11

OP you have restored my faith in human nature…I hope everything will be fine. Am glad that just a few people are feeling safe and loved .. Please keep us updated 💐

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 03/04/2022 23:17

best wishes to all of you.

BeenHereForYonkyDoodles · 03/04/2022 23:23

This is lovely to read op. I hope you all settle well together. All the very best to you and your new house guests.

LBFseBrom · 03/04/2022 23:31

That is so lovely and I feel glad you are giving these unfortunate women and children shelter during the crisis. I could easily imagine myself in their situation, it must be heartbreaking. We never know what's round the corner, any one of us could be in need of help in the future for all sorts of reasons.

I wish I could do the same as you but couldn't cope with someone living in my house with me now I'm oldish and on my own. I'd love to be able to help in other ways though, apart from donating money.