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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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
DesdamonasHandkerchief · 18/03/2022 18:14

Tulip I put our details on the Facebook page 'Room For Ukrainians U.K.', and one of the three girls we're hosting sent me a private message to ask if I would consider housing her and her two friends.
On the Facebook group both potential hosts and Ukrainians post their details but it's a bit of a bun fight to be honest, you don't have to put your details up you can just comment on a Ukrainian request for a sponsor and send a private message with details of the accommodation you're offering.

ChiaraRimini · 18/03/2022 18:31

Our match has fallen through and I'm looking for another family to sponsor. It’s like the Wild West out there though. FB groups springing up with profiles of young pretty Ukrainian girls allegedly looking for somewhere to stay and pervy middle aged men falling over themselves to “help” 🤢

Jansobieski · 18/03/2022 18:34

So I was contacted by someone from Sunflower sisters (matching only women). She asked me a bit about our circumstances and suggested a match with a lady in her 20s who had experienced some degree of trauma during the war. I was quite honest, explained that we were in our mid 50s, knew no one of that age and that I was concerned she may feel rather isolated. She has since been matched with someone closer to her own age which I am relieved about tbh. The contact stressed the importance of suitable matches and I got the impression that some arrangements in Poland had broken down because of issues like this.

ChiaraRimini · 18/03/2022 18:36

I've heard locally that there are a couple of issues with finding guests:
-Ukrainians would rather stay close to home than come to UK
-People want to find a home in London as they think that's where they are most likely to find work/Ukrainian communities.

I've also noticed that there seem to be a lot of mums with teens rather than younger children looking.

ChiaraRimini · 18/03/2022 18:39

Jansobieski, that sounds very wise. The risk of placements breaking down needs to be taken into account. I wouldn't be happy with a young single guest who wanted to bring people home to party or whatever as I have an 11 year old daughter. It's a huge jump into the unknown.

Firefliess · 18/03/2022 19:29

I've just had an email from the government site confirming that visa application site is now live. They also link to updated FAQs www.gov.uk/guidance/homes-for-ukraine-scheme-frequently-asked-questions

Of note:

  • still no links to how to find a person to sponsor. Very vague in this
  • council tax discounts unaffected
  • no need to contact your insurance provider - they have all confirmed it won't affect home insurance
  • DBS checks to be done on hosts as part of the application process but doesn't sound like they'll hold things up as can also be in the first few weeks of refugees stay. You don't need them before your fill in the visa application (what will they do if anyone fails one? Move the refugees?)
  • Bit vague in what happens if it all breaks down but does say local councils should be contacted and will help
  • you can't put them up on a sofabed in the lounge. You need a spare room
Firefliess · 18/03/2022 19:35

Does seem that Reset is now open up register hosts www.homesforukraine.org.uk/

Original poster
EezyOozy · 18/03/2022 19:40

@Firefliess that's so helpful, thank you

OP posts:
Blimecory · 18/03/2022 20:11

Is there any way of doing this not via Facebook? I’m not on Facebook and have never used it. I just want to investigate. I’m in London and have a spare room and I speak Russian well - not sure if that is a plus or not…

Firefliess · 18/03/2022 20:13

@Blimecory

Is there any way of doing this not via Facebook? I’m not on Facebook and have never used it. I just want to investigate. I’m in London and have a spare room and I speak Russian well - not sure if that is a plus or not…
Yes, use the link in my previous post
user3837313202 · 18/03/2022 20:13

@Blimecory

Is there any way of doing this not via Facebook? I’m not on Facebook and have never used it. I just want to investigate. I’m in London and have a spare room and I speak Russian well - not sure if that is a plus or not…
Lots of Ukrainians speak Russian so I'm sure it will be very helpful for anyone who speaks Russian but not English
Firefliess · 18/03/2022 20:15

Speaking Russian definitely a plus as lots of Ukrainians speak it. Even if you yourself are Russian, they'd be a bit dumb to be blaming you personally for the war if you were kindly putting them up in your house wouldn't they?

Blimecory · 18/03/2022 20:27

@Firefliess
Thanks for the link. Completely missed that.
I’m not Russian but do have Russian relatives.

TheBeesKnee · 18/03/2022 21:41

It took me over 4 hours to fill in 3 application forms.

I am shattered but keeping my fingers crossed.

Shiloh139 · 18/03/2022 21:58

@SquashedSquashes

I saw your query on another thread and thought you might get a helpful response on this one instead, if you want to ask it again.

SquashedSquashes · 18/03/2022 22:04

Thank you @Shiloh139

I was wondering how others have found the visa form? Specifically, I have completed the form on behalf of the family we’ve matched with (all have valid passports).

They want to know whether they have to go to a biometric centre as well as completing the form. Does anyone know the answer to this?

Thanks!

TheBeesKnee · 18/03/2022 22:07

@SquashedSquashes

Thank you *@Shiloh139*

I was wondering how others have found the visa form? Specifically, I have completed the form on behalf of the family we’ve matched with (all have valid passports).

They want to know whether they have to go to a biometric centre as well as completing the form. Does anyone know the answer to this?

Thanks!

They won't have to do anything like that until they're in the UK. If they are granted a visa and get a permission letter then they can come to the UK.
SquashedSquashes · 18/03/2022 22:23

Thank you @TheBeesKnee

I’ve had to send them a form to complete with various tick boxes (the document checklist), are they just supposed to take that to the airport once the visas are processed?

DesdamonasHandkerchief · 18/03/2022 23:44

I also spent all afternoon (the nicest day so far this year 🥲) filling in three application forms (to be fair the first one took twice as long as the others as I didn't know the format) fingers crossed for a swift approval and a quick exit from Ukraine for our guests.

Firefliess · 19/03/2022 00:24

Can I ask how those who've got as far as the application form have found the refugees?

TheBeesKnee · 19/03/2022 01:22

@Firefliess

Can I ask how those who've got as far as the application form have found the refugees?
I knew these people already, however, you can get in touch with local charities and organisations, or try Facebook matching pages.
TheBeesKnee · 19/03/2022 01:23

@DesdamonasHandkerchief

I also spent all afternoon (the nicest day so far this year 🥲) filling in three application forms (to be fair the first one took twice as long as the others as I didn't know the format) fingers crossed for a swift approval and a quick exit from Ukraine for our guests.
Well done! Just out of interest, can I ask when you put as the date intended to come to the UK? I put next Friday but can't decide if that's too optimistic or pessimistic and am worried in case they get approved quickly but end up stuck in Europe for a week!
Original poster
EezyOozy · 19/03/2022 06:40

Hi all. So after me thinking Im far too rural....

A man from the next village has asked if anyone can house a 13yo girl and her mother. Her parents are actually working on a local (large) farm, and the daughter is in a refugee camp. I think the daughter stayed in Ukraine with a male relative to continue schooling, and the male relative has not been allowed to leave. The farm accommodation is apparently not suitable/safe/large enough for a child (the conditions may be quite poor, which is sad in itself).

The parents have been in the UK for 6 months working. They have said that the father could stay on the farm and asked if anyone could host the mother and daughter and I've put myself forward as a possibility (we have a large double bedroom they could share if I put two beds in).

Questions:
Does the 13yo need a passport (I'm not sure if she has one and am waiting to hear back) ?

Would her mother/father need to collect her?

For obvious reasons I'm pretty sure I couldn't sponsor a lone child under the scheme- if her parents have been in the UK
6 months already, could I sponsor the mother and daughter together?

If anyone has any other suggestions please let me know.

OP posts:
Original poster
EezyOozy · 19/03/2022 06:44

To add: all I can find is
"Someone is eligible for the scheme if they are a Ukrainian national (or an immediate family member of one) and were resident in Ukraine prior to 1 January 2022."

So the parents have not been resident in Ukraine since October-ish last year.

OP posts:
Original poster
EezyOozy · 19/03/2022 06:48

I should also add, the man asking for accommodation is soon having a kidney transplant which requires isolation so he can't host.

OP posts:
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