thread for those interested in refugee hosting/sponsorship

[EezyOozy]

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.

[quote Reallybadidea]@Frazzled2207 they are going to be vetted, but how do you ensure that someone isn't going to be forced to work as an unpaid cleaner/nanny with the threat of homelessness hanging over them?[/quote]
I am much more concerned about predatory men. I went on (heavily male) reddit to check a couple of threads about inviting Ukrainian refugees, and honestly, needed to bleach my eyes after. Cooking and cleaning is also often mentioned, as well as how subservient, attractive and not ruined by feminism Ukrainian women are.

We have a minute spare room and only one bathroom.
We’re in a village with one corner shop, 10 minutes walk from a bus route, half an hour from a city.
So I doubt anyone would want to come here. Depends how desperate they are.

can’t work out how to find someone to name on the form? I may be missing something and / or things may be clearer when details are released tomorrow but does anyone know how this will work?

I want to know this too, perhaps online groups will be set up for this purpose. I'm not in a position to name anybody so will have to observe how this works practically over the coming weeks… Before I can fill anything out!

That’s crazy that you have to name the family you want to host. I suppose UK churches might be able to draw up lists of people, so you could get names from them maybe. Talk about putting barriers in the way.

I'm considering this. But want to know whether they'll be much in the way of local support for them. Does anyone know? I do live in a city, and I'm aware there's a general refugee support group, but would feel happier about doing this if I was part of a local group where we could meet people doing similarly for Ukrainians and our refugees could meet each other.

We are going to sign up. We have two spare rooms and live on the edge of town with good transport. We've hosted language students before. We actually applied last autumn to a charity to host refugees but our application is still going through. Completely aware that this is hosting traumatised people. I read an article about someone who had hosted numerous refugees including a really sad case of someone who said almost nothing and very rarely came out of his room.

@Figmentofmyimagination

That’s crazy that you have to name the family you want to host. I suppose UK churches might be able to draw up lists of people, so you could get names from them maybe. Talk about putting barriers in the way.

I think they're suggesting that it could happen via social media. I guess those who are motivated to travel all the way to the UK will be motivated enough to set up or join some Facebook group or something. But I'd rather it happened via local churches or other community groups as then those hosting and the refugees would have some local support.

"If £350 extra is a key factor in whether you take in refugees or not, you shouldn't really do it, "

But then why aren't they already doing it? We have had ongoing refugees fleeing war since before we were all born. As pointed out, why now? Why not after the conflicts across Africa, the middle East?

As for the exploitation, there's already reports of rape and women having to organise protective groups to protect the children. There's traffickers making offers as well.

@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!

Taken off people’s benefits?

Most people work for their money anyway funnily enough

If people are worried about UC claims being affected, that's unlikely to be the case. There's already a rent a room tax free allowance of £7,500 a year for lodgers, and this applies to UC too. So nobody would pay any tax on the £350, nor lose any UC (unless you already have other paying lodgers and get more than £7,500 a year.) See www.gov.uk/rent-room-in-your-home/the-rent-a-room-scheme

I’m disconcerted by the idea of having to name the person you want to host. I would much rather be allocated someone in need by an agency or charity. It’s horrible to think of desperate strangers online trying to build relationships with other strangers in order to try to get to safety in their homes. That sounds like a recipe for exploitation. Surely ‘need’ should come first, and some kind of system of allocation. Why should an older person not get help just because they have no connections or are not internet savvy.

@Firefliess

I'm considering this. But want to know whether they'll be much in the way of local support for them. Does anyone know? I do live in a city, and I'm aware there's a general refugee support group, but would feel happier about doing this if I was part of a local group where we could meet people doing similarly for Ukrainians and our refugees could meet each other.

I understand you have good intentions, but you do realise that you are going to host adult functional people, and there's no need to babysit them or take them to support groups? Most people who are looking to come to the UK (well, from the ones I know) are ones who have some sort of a loose connection to the country already - maybe they studied here, maybe they have UK compatible qualifications, or have friends here. They are as likely to befriend a random Ukrainian you source for them in the neighbourhood as you are to befriend a random British person.

These people do have social networks, there is a very active diaspora in the UK already, and there is plenty of support from within that community that will be available.

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.

Most of the refugees will not be "mentally traumatised". Most escaped before the bombing reached their town, though they will still be very frightened and worried for loved ones left behind.

@TacoCats

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!

Most Ukrainians speak English, we are in a fortunate position in this country that our language is a global language.

I don't think anyone would expect it to be a fairytale, they just want to help. If you don't have the space or money there's no requirement, it's understandable you wouldn't volunteer. But plenty of people do have spare rooms and disposable income, and so they can help.

We have hosted language students, live in a city and have spare rooms.we would definitely consider doing this, but as a pp said, would feel reassured to know there was support and maybe other Ukrainians living nearby to meet with.

@Reallybadidea

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

It's already happening. Police forces in the nations bordering Ukraine have already arrested sex traffickers and rapists who have been preying on the vulnerable.

I think it’s a bit off that it’s £350 no matter how many you take in.

I have 2 spare rooms, live in a convenient place and don’t need any cash to support them.

I’ll take a look tomorrow and see what the terms are, but my only reservation is getting caught up with the mindless bureaucracy / form filling / ‘safe guarding checks’ that seem to come hand in hand with these things. The actual day to day reality of housing Ukrainian refugees would not worry me, just endless mindless bureaucratic ‘support’

@Ponoka7

"If £350 extra is a key factor in whether you take in refugees or not, you shouldn't really do it, "

But then why aren't they already doing it? We have had ongoing refugees fleeing war since before we were all born. As pointed out, why now? Why not after the conflicts across Africa, the middle East?

As for the exploitation, there's already reports of rape and women having to organise protective groups to protect the children. There's traffickers making offers as well.

Well, it is a bit of whatabouterism. People feel more comfortable offering their rooms to certain group of refugees, it is not a secret. Some of the reasons are racist, some aren't. This thread is not about this though, and it has been already discussed to death on MN.

Trafficking (and even exploitation by individuals) is a massive concern, yes. I read a comment online along the lines - "hurray, my state mandated girlfriend is finally coming!". And I am not sure it was a 100% joke.

@billysboy

Very different response from the public and government to the people that were crossing the channel in small boats

I would happily welcome a family in need with or without the £350

That would be the difference between a cohort who were 90% adult men, vs a cohort who are 90% women and children.

There are a few Facebook groups where people are offering rooms. If you search rooms for Ukrainian refugees uk or similar you should find them. So far lots of Brits offering rooms and no Ukrainians replying- I suspect a system will emerge over the next few days.

Sorry, should have said- this is a way that you can find somebody to host and they find you. I understand that you then make a joint application.

I work with refugees and am very experienced at analysing protection laws and policy. This is a ludicrous scheme.

It is a safeguarding nightmare. And honestly I feel concerned reading about people taking refugees in to teach their children humanity. Please don't do this. These are real people and do not want pity and to be a teachable moment as the yanks sat

Everyone wants lovely orphans and mums with kids. These are normal people witj quirks and needs like you and me they need practical help and space it's not a project for you and your wish to help.

They need city homes ideally where they can find work and school.

Absolutely do not do this for the 350 !

And. Can people imagine if uk Foster children were passed around with no safeguarding like this ?

I wonder why we don't resolve the UK care crisis like this. Because its sensitive complex and difficult.

I’d love to sign up but sadly no space. I am worried however about unscrupulous (and worse) people registering just for the £350. The refugees will be very vulnerable and traumatised, and will becdealing with a place and possibly language that are very alien to them. People who register should genuinely ONLY be motivated by wanting to help vulnerable distressed people, not by the cash. I personally am concerned about the potential for this to be abused.

And I absolutely agree with every word of @waterrat’s post above.

It’s a safeguarding nightmare.