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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if you'll sponsor a Ukrainian refugee?

280 replies

TheBeesKnee · 07/03/2022 13:17

The humanitarian pathway means that charities, communities and individuals can sponsor refugees. I've felt very disturbed and useless this past week and want to do something, contribute somehow, make a difference to someone's life.

We have a spare room, so we could take someone in? Just need to talk to DP.

Would be interested to hear if anyone else plans to or experiences - either in this war or any previous if applicable.

OP posts:
CrispsnDips · 07/03/2022 14:42

We have housed several asylum seekers in the past - non-English speaking/suffered trauma. We were employed by a Fostering Agency so we knew we were going to receive a financial reward. What rewards are there for accommodating Ukrainian families as I have two spare bedrooms but don’t, sadly, have spare funds for feeding/clothing, etc? What emotional support is available for them (and us), wondered if anyone had these answers?

gogohm · 07/03/2022 14:42

I can't because we have adult DD's who need the spare rooms in the university holidays but we would otherwise. Also Dp is struggling to hire at work and would hire if someone had relevant experience but we don't think the emergency visas allow work.

TheHatInTheCat · 07/03/2022 14:42

Yes I would and I do already.
I have 2 refugees living with me at the moment.
Single carer with my own ds.
I do get paid though, not sure how this scheme would work but I imagine you would get help with living expenses.

Catrice · 07/03/2022 14:43

Good on you OP. I would definitely put myself forwards but there are already 3 of us in a tiny 2 bedroom back to back house. Don't worry about sounding silly or asking 'stupid' questions. If you think you can do it anyway.

DoggerelBank · 07/03/2022 14:43

I will do, but I do know the family I'd be sponsoring and some of them have stayed with us in the past. If they have a better offer (they have several UK friends) then I will try to sponsor a family I haven't met. My understanding is that they will be allowed to work, and not only for the family/organisation sponsoring them. That's what the govt has promised, if I've understood correctly, but I don't think the small print has been released yet. Given that the govt has only processed 50 applicants so far who are eligible to stay with family here, I fear the whole thing will take far too long.

I'd be very interested to have the support of other Mumsnetters doing the same thing - swapping info, tips, updates.

AchillesPoirot · 07/03/2022 14:44

No. I don’t have a spare room and I live with my dds.

I’m giving as much as I can but as a working single parent who is solely responsible for 2 adult children at university I need to prioritise my own family.

I have given food to a local collection but that’s as much as I can do.

gogohm · 07/03/2022 14:46

I've already pledged to head up fundraising for my town once we know what we are raising for - rebuilding Ukraine or housing displaced people in Poland etc. We all feel like we want to do something but know that this isn't a short term situation, biding our time makes sense. I've done this before for hurricanes and typhoons, we've sponsored rebuilding a community centre entirely for instance

Ylvamoon · 07/03/2022 14:47

My aunt and uncle (not uk) did take refugee family from Bosnia in... back in the 90's.
They are now like extended family to us.
The children were similar ages to us so ended up going to the same school.

But from what I know/ remember as a child, it wasn't always easy. People have their whole lives destroyed, they often leave family and friends behind without knowing what happened to them. There are the obvious language barriers, food and traditions as well as habits of everyday life to consider for starters.

Taking someone in, is a selfless act, if you are looking for gratitude don't do it.

DoggerelBank · 07/03/2022 14:49

Govt press release from 1st March:

The Prime Minister also announced plans for a new scheme for Ukrainians with no ties to the UK to come here. An uncapped sponsored humanitarian visa route will allow sponsors, such as communities, private sponsors or local authorities, to bring people to the UK. They will be able to work and the sponsor would provide housing and integration support.

Further details on the community sponsorship route are being worked up at pace and will be communicated in due course, including how people and organisations in the UK can apply to be sponsors.

www.gov.uk/government/news/further-support-for-ukrainians-fleeing-russia-invasion

frankie001 · 07/03/2022 14:49

Yes, we’ve discussed it and would be open to housing someone. We’ve been discussing selling our caravan but have put it on hold for now so they could have own space.

AlwaysLatte · 07/03/2022 14:49

We've contacted our local MP as we have a spare annexe we'd be happy to offer.

ChrisSays · 07/03/2022 14:50

No I wouldn’t as I couldn’t give them the support they need or speak their language. I would give money though, I already have donated and I know that’s to ease my conscience and guilt, not going to pretend otherwise. I have done the same for two animal charities as I feel so utterly awful for them too.

Dinoteeth · 07/03/2022 14:51

It's a lovely idea in theory but UK houses are not multi-family homes.
Few people could really cope with sharing their couch fridge and cooker with another family for months or years.

I've stayed with family for 6 mths between house moves and delays - we were driving each other nuts and that was family!

ChrisSays · 07/03/2022 14:52

[quote DoggerelBank]Govt press release from 1st March:

The Prime Minister also announced plans for a new scheme for Ukrainians with no ties to the UK to come here. An uncapped sponsored humanitarian visa route will allow sponsors, such as communities, private sponsors or local authorities, to bring people to the UK. They will be able to work and the sponsor would provide housing and integration support.

Further details on the community sponsorship route are being worked up at pace and will be communicated in due course, including how people and organisations in the UK can apply to be sponsors.

www.gov.uk/government/news/further-support-for-ukrainians-fleeing-russia-invasion[/quote]
That’s for extended family members though isn’t it? Or have I misunderstood.

girlmom21 · 07/03/2022 14:53

@ChrisSays no that says Ukrainians with no ties

user468375484 · 07/03/2022 14:54

If you have a spare room (and a bit of fridge space) and would like to help, then you can do so via
www.refugeesathome.org/
www.roomforrefugees.com/

People can stay for anywhere between a few nights and a few months. It looks like a fantastic thing to do - unfortunately I've no spare room at the moment but I'm looking to move soon.

DoggerelBank · 07/03/2022 14:55

Does anyone know how it might actually work? You agree to support them, but is there a specific financial commitment? I'm presuming that as my guys already speak fluent English, they would get work and relatively quickly be able to move into a home of their own. Is that completely naive?

ChrisSays · 07/03/2022 14:56

[quote girlmom21]@ChrisSays no that says Ukrainians with no ties [/quote]
It says plans for, nothing confirmed. It will be interesting to see if that gets off the ground. The initial scheme is for family members. I just don’t see how people with no experience of PTSD, general trauma etc will be able to help but maybe I am over complicating it in my head and you just need basic kindness.

user468375484 · 07/03/2022 14:57

@gogohm

I can't because we have adult DD's who need the spare rooms in the university holidays but we would otherwise. Also Dp is struggling to hire at work and would hire if someone had relevant experience but we don't think the emergency visas allow work.
If you go via Refugees at Home / Room for Refugees then you can specify dates you can't host (like the university holidays) and they will only give you short term guests / will move them on in time for the university holidays Smile
MistOverTheDowns · 07/03/2022 14:58

Can I also suggest that people contact their local Rotary Clubs. Most of these are organising local stuff but through a national plan.

TheHatInTheCat · 07/03/2022 15:02

The government promised to take thousands of refugees from Afghanistan but didn’t take anywhere near the number promised so I wouldn’t clear out the spare room yet.

HopingForMyRainbowBaby · 07/03/2022 15:04

If I had the room yes I would

AthelstaneTheUnready · 07/03/2022 15:06

I would consider it - I have a spare room, and could feed people. Would probably need some guidance on how to support them with the rest of it though.

XelaM · 07/03/2022 15:07

I know someone who housed a Syrian refugee in Germany. He had a very positive experience.

We have a spare room and speak Russian, do actually I was keen to do this, but I live with my daughter and she's reluctant

RocketAndAFuckingMelon · 07/03/2022 15:09

For anyone who is seriously considering it, look at Refugees At Home which is a charity matching hosts with guests.