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AIBU?

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Original poster

thread for those interested in refugee hosting/sponsorship

1003 replies

EezyOozy · 13/03/2022 07:37

I thought I would start a new thread about this as I have just heard on BBC news that they are opening up a web form tomorrow to express interest. Apparently families/households can claim £350 a month (I assume for increased expenses) and refugees will be eligible to claim or benefits and work. We have large a spare room but live rurally so whilst I will express interest I'm not sure we will be taken up on it.

I thought I would start a new thread for those who are interested and to follow the progress of the registration procedure/how this pans out in practice.

Posted here because it's the only place I know gets plenty traffic, I will probably be asking for this to be moved but don't know where to.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
68marmite · 13/03/2022 07:50

reading all the posts. Its a very privileged self indulgence to start the response with how it may unsettle and inconvinence your way of life for a short while...... Seriously get a grip!!! Flip the situation... The experience for households with children i only see the benefit to make sence of what is happening and the values of humanity. Yes i have children yes i have a spare room and yes i will register.

Original poster
EezyOozy · 13/03/2022 07:52

"Its a very privileged self indulgence to start the response with how it may unsettle and inconvinence your way of life for a short while"

I didn't ?

OP posts:
Breastfeedingworries · 13/03/2022 07:54

I don’t have space but my parents I think will. They have huge house that all week is empty so it will help people. Wish I could do something.

Zapx · 13/03/2022 08:01

Following - think we will sign up. We have a spare room. I worry a bit on the impact on my nervous 3yo but these are extraordinary times.

Original poster
EezyOozy · 13/03/2022 08:07

I have two children as well, so I'd only accept a mother and child... but like pp these are extraordinary , desperate times. And I like to think someone would take me and my kids in.

OP posts:
daisypond · 13/03/2022 08:11

I would need them to be vaccinated against Covid, as I’m clinically vulnerable. I’ll see what the form says. We don’t have a spare room and are already overcrowded, but could move things around. I’m used to hosting waifs and strays, but no one this traumatised.

LoganberryJam · 13/03/2022 08:12

We have a spare room and are considering signing up. The only thing is that we are rural - 40 mins walk to the nearest bus stop, buses every 2-3 hours. I can't spare much time to drive them around (job, three DC) so they would be very constrained. Is it even worth signing up??

daisypond · 13/03/2022 08:16

I’m central London and speak Russian, so in that sense I’d be in demand, I think. But many people in cities are overcrowded, like us -five adults in a two-bed - and won’t have spare rooms or any space at all. A bit of a Catch-22.

Tippexy · 13/03/2022 08:17

@68marmite

reading all the posts. Its a very privileged self indulgence to start the response with how it may unsettle and inconvinence your way of life for a short while...... Seriously get a grip!!! Flip the situation... The experience for households with children i only see the benefit to make sence of what is happening and the values of humanity. Yes i have children yes i have a spare room and yes i will register.
Who needs to get a grip on this thread, apart from maybe… you? Confused
Original poster
EezyOozy · 13/03/2022 08:17

@LoganberryJam I honestly don't know. We are rural but there are bus stops in the village and a train station opening soon so not quite as remote ... if I were you I'd probably fill out the form but make it very clear of your setting

OP posts:
Original poster
EezyOozy · 13/03/2022 08:18

@daisypond Exactly the catch-22 I was just thinking about - folk in rural areas are more likely to have space !

OP posts:
TacoCats · 13/03/2022 08:18

And watch that £350 be taken off peoples benefits as income. It's not worth it, it'll cost more alone in having extra people stay in food, gas/electric, water, petrol!

HappeeInParis · 13/03/2022 08:23

Thanks for starting this thread.

daisypond · 13/03/2022 08:23

@TacoCats

And watch that £350 be taken off peoples benefits as income. It's not worth it, it'll cost more alone in having extra people stay in food, gas/electric, water, petrol!
It won’t cost a huge amount extra in gas or electric. The oven and lights will be on anyway. A small amount extra for an additional shower or extra washing. It’s just food really.
Grasping · 13/03/2022 08:25

@TacoCats

And watch that £350 be taken off peoples benefits as income. It's not worth it, it'll cost more alone in having extra people stay in food, gas/electric, water, petrol!
It’s not worth it? WTF? It’s not for the money you know.
TacoCats · 13/03/2022 08:29

You do reliese your inviting a complete stranger into your home, who will be very mentally traumatised and most likely will struggle to communicate with you and then you need to pay out extra for keep.

It's not easy, those thinking it'll be a breeze you haven't got a clue what your getting yourselves into this isn't some fairy tale!

daisypond · 13/03/2022 08:29

Yes, you’re not meant to be making a profit, or particularly breaking even. You’re doing it to help. Have you read or seen the Railway Children? They house a refugee -for free.

Reallybadidea · 13/03/2022 08:30

It’s not for the money you know.

No, but it will actually cost money to host families and if you're already struggling and it makes you worse off, then of course people are going to hesitate.

Onlyrainbows · 13/03/2022 08:32

I'd do it (I would especially consider elderly ones or those coming with pets) BUT our spare room is a conservatory (fully liveable though) and we have stepchildren so all other households would have to be ok with it.

ScarletTulips · 13/03/2022 08:32

We’re interested to find out more.
We have space and I have time but like other people, we live in the country.
There is a train station within walking distance but it’s more that the local schools are full to bursting so I’m not sure how that would work.
I hope some other people locally will consider it and we could have a bit of a support network nearby both for the Ukrainians coming here and for people hosting.

Reallybadidea · 13/03/2022 08:33

Call me cynical, but I'm worried about the potential for them being exploited Sad

Figmentofmyimagination · 13/03/2022 08:33

You need to make sure your spare room can be locked with a key and that bathrooms and toilets can be bolted from the inside. It’s also a good incentive for a clear out. I’m going to spend today getting rid of some of the useless rubbish that has been cluttering spare spaces like cupboards etc.

forinborin · 13/03/2022 08:33

If £350 extra is a key factor in whether you take in refugees or not, you shouldn't really do it, it only will end up in resentment on both sides, and a massive culture clash.

BananaPlants · 13/03/2022 08:33

@TacoCats - You have just made that up. It is because of extra expenses, not to replace benefits as ‘income’

TacoCats · 13/03/2022 08:33

@daisypond

Yes, you’re not meant to be making a profit, or particularly breaking even. You’re doing it to help. Have you read or seen the Railway Children? They house a refugee -for free.
Well great for the railway children! Most of us are struggling to pay for own families!
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