To ask if you'll sponsor a Ukrainian refugee?

[TheBeesKnee]

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.

I see I cross posted with others recommending the same organisation!

I want to offer a place to stay (with me) for my Ukrainian friend (I met her over 10 years ago when she came over as a part of a group for Chernobyl Children) and her mum. They have managed to get to Poland (from Kiev) and I am waiting for updates from our Government regarding a "friends visa". I won't lie, it won't be easy (as there will also be DH and DD + my house isn't massive) but we will manage. And they are relying on me

Not unless I was paid a few hundred a month.
With gas prices shooting up I can justify extreme measures for my own household (like leaving the heaters on frost protect). But I’d feel bad doing it to other people.

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.

I've done similar in the past with homeless women. And also worked with an organisation who supports new refugees. My experience is that very new refugees are still in survival mode and it takes a while for them to start processing trauma. So for the brief period they are with you, the chances are it is about kindness and normal human interaction.

Bearing in mind that it's not someone fleeing after decades of war. Ukrainians were living normal lives two weeks ago

We have space, but I am hesitant. I work with refugees and asylum seekers and I don't think I could bring myself to do that at home too.

Also the house is an ice-box, I'm concerned about interest rates rising and affecting my mortgage, petrol and transport costs are going through the roof...

@MrsTerryPratchett

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.

I've done similar in the past with homeless women. And also worked with an organisation who supports new refugees. My experience is that very new refugees are still in survival mode and it takes a while for them to start processing trauma. So for the brief period they are with you, the chances are it is about kindness and normal human interaction.

Bearing in mind that it's not someone fleeing after decades of war. Ukrainians were living normal lives two weeks ago

Fair point, I thought the refugee site linked to earlier was very informative and seemed to give the positive and negative side of it. Interesting that they raised the issue of a power imbalance and that the hosts need to acknowledge that. I kind of want to do it now.

Oh I'm not saying it's easy at all! I stopped housing young homeless women when I changed jobs. But people don't need to be skilled trauma-impact experts.

No. But as pp said re children and safety. While a woman or child might be safe enough I expect to nice refugee status were granted family reunion could bring male family members, that I also have great sympathy for but after a recent experience with a male doctor, no chance.
If I had more than care’s allowance I’d donate a lot.
It’s horrible being powerless

I'd like to.

@XelaM

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

What are your daughter's reservations and how old is she, if I may ask?

Does anyone know of a single authoritative organisation that can give me the correct information on what sponsoring (at arms length, presumably? ) and accommodating (as in ( taking someone nto your home) actually entails and how to go about both of them. Google has not been my friend and I feel like I’m wandering around in a maze of contradictions.

I certainly would if I had the space. Because I can't do anything practical I've sent a donation, which I know is a drop in the ocean, but it all helps.
I've friends who i greatly admire who help people practically in these situations and always try to support or part sponsor them.

@HermioneWeasley

Given that most of the refugees from this war are women and children, I think it’s widely open to abuse - I can see lots of predatory men and people traffickers signing up to offer to sponsor.

Good point, which is why I’ve signed up my spare room and I’ll sponsor also if needed. I can’t bear to think of women and children alone in a strange country after what has happened to them and I’d like to think if this happened to my DDs and grandchildren someone would help them.

@TheBeesKnee

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.

Did you think of sponsoring Syrians or Afghans when they fled their wars?

@MindTheGapMoveAlong

Does anyone know of a single authoritative organisation that can give me the correct information on what sponsoring (at arms length, presumably? ) and accommodating (as in ( taking someone nto your home) actually entails and how to go about both of them. Google has not been my friend and I feel like I’m wandering around in a maze of contradictions.

@MindTheGapMoveAlong. I’ve signed up here www.roomforrefugees.com/offer-a-spare-room/

I'd take a child if I had the space. I've fostered in the past but I don't have a spare room anymore. I wouldn't take an adult as I've got kids and wouldn't want to potentially make them uncomfortable in their own home.

I don’t have space to put anyone up.

I don’t have a ton of spare money I’m a single parent supporting two kids through uni (both of whom have part time jobs).

I’ve already donated.

And yet posters are disheartened I’m not doing enough?

Weird.

@ANameChangeAgain

I certainly would if I had the space. Because I can't do anything practical I've sent a donation, which I know is a drop in the ocean, but it all helps. I've friends who i greatly admire who help people practically in these situations and always try to support or part sponsor them.

That's still helping! We've also sent stuff and money but it just all feels so far removed.

Im signed up with an organisation that houses refugees because we have the room (this is for any refugees not just ukrainians) but because we are remote without good access to public transport for getting to jobs etc we dont get picked, but i signed up because i figured if there was ever a massive influx they might need somewhere to place people temporarily whilst they found a better option

I'd like to consider it, as we have space.
I've been finding it hard to get information though. I'll follow the threads linked.

If anyone is doing this and has more info e.g. do they get financial support, what would be the longer term plan, how would the children get into school etc please let me know, as this will help us make a decision.

The response of the Poles has been immense, I'd like to think we'd do the same.