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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
daisypond · 13/03/2022 10:12

@Kendodd

I'm astonished it's as much as £350 a month. I think they'd have enough people offering to do it for nothing. I wonder if that money is to feed them or your expected to give them some of it? Hopefully they'll use this scheme to get other refugees out of hotels.
I agree. I was surprised. I think it’s quite a lot and I live in an expensive area.
Original poster
EezyOozy · 13/03/2022 10:13

Good points about vaccination.

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ViaBlue · 13/03/2022 10:14

We are considering it...we have 2 spare rooms, 2 bathrooms in the house but not en suite...
I'm really not sure..I really want to help but what if it doesn't work..I have a young school aged child..
Don't really care about the £350

Original poster
EezyOozy · 13/03/2022 10:16

I can’t quite get my head around the idea that there is no agency or charity involved in matching us with somebody. I’m really surprised by this.

I know, the whole "find each other on social media" thing seems irresponsible. I'm hoping an NGO will be set up or maybe church groups/charities will help.

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FrancescaContini · 13/03/2022 10:18

@Bananabutter

Absolutely not. We have two spare rooms and no amount of money or incentive could make me even consider this.

It isn’t safe. We have a child and we have to think of her.

It’s not safe or fair to expect a child to have to live with a traumatised stranger who probably doesn’t even speak their language. It’s insanity.

Grin Nobody is compelling you to do it, though, so why the strong feelings?
Parker231 · 13/03/2022 10:18

@Bananabutter

Absolutely not. We have two spare rooms and no amount of money or incentive could make me even consider this.

It isn’t safe. We have a child and we have to think of her.

It’s not safe or fair to expect a child to have to live with a traumatised stranger who probably doesn’t even speak their language. It’s insanity.

We hosted a family of refugees when DT’s were six. We and the refugees were vetted before they came to stay. They had two bedrooms and a bathroom but ate with us and shared our living room, playroom, rest of the house etc. Their two children were similar age to our DT’s and played well together. Children don’t have prejudices. The parents spoke some English and learnt more very quickly.
drspouse · 13/03/2022 10:19

the local schools are full to bursting so I’m not sure how that would work
Children may need to go further but will be provided transport. We are in a refugee hosting area due to a surplus of family homes and one big school has spaces; most get there on the bus but I think some will get transport.

LizzoBorden · 13/03/2022 10:23

We are signing up. We’ve got an annexe that’s used by Airbnb guests, so we can give someone that (in fact we are already signed up to host refugees through Airbnb, so I need to turn that off!).

Original poster
EezyOozy · 13/03/2022 10:25

I do understand your reservations others have raised and I am too concerned about the scheme being very open to exploitation. I know that I certainly won't be exploiting anybody which is why I am happy to "register interest" and see what additional information is forthcoming. I just cannot get away from the thought that this could happen to anybody and if I was on my own with my two little girls having fled a war zone, I would hope that somebody genuine and welcoming would offer us a safe space.

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Kendodd · 13/03/2022 10:30

Why are posters who don't want to host people getting so agitated by this? Nobody is forced to do it and even if you live alone in a 100 room house (imo) you deserve absolutely no criticism for not wanting to do it, it's not for everyone.

Original poster
EezyOozy · 13/03/2022 10:31

I think I might ask for the thread title to be changed to "thread for people who are interested in hosting"… Because I really don't want this turning into a bunfight

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MerylSqueak · 13/03/2022 10:31

I'm interested. I was talking to the DC's about it last night and they're keen but we were trying to think out the potential problems too. I was impressed with their response.

I'm thinking about it still.

Porcupineintherough · 13/03/2022 10:33

@Bananabutter

Absolutely not. We have two spare rooms and no amount of money or incentive could make me even consider this.

It isn’t safe. We have a child and we have to think of her.

It’s not safe or fair to expect a child to have to live with a traumatised stranger who probably doesn’t even speak their language. It’s insanity.

Well you dont have to do it, it's entirely voluntary. Glad the family who took my gran and baby (my mum) in in 1944 were happy to take a chance though.
FrancescaContini · 13/03/2022 10:34

@Kendodd

Why are posters who don't want to host people getting so agitated by this? Nobody is forced to do it and even if you live alone in a 100 room house (imo) you deserve absolutely no criticism for not wanting to do it, it's not for everyone.
Quite. The defensiveness shown here by some posters is extraordinary.
Firefliess · 13/03/2022 10:37

@DenholmElliot

Will I still get the 25% discount on my council tax?
If they are guests with you just for a few weeks then yes. If they stay longer and your house becomes their main home (eg they are claiming benefits or working from your address) then no, you'd lose that. A bit of the £350 a month you get would have to go towards covering that.
EvilPea · 13/03/2022 10:39

How are the hostees being vetted? I live somewhere rife for modern day slavery. The prospect of free labour and being paid for it, is going to be very attractive.

Original poster
EezyOozy · 13/03/2022 10:40

@EvilPea Hopefully this will become a bit clearer tomorrow… If anybody needs anything then please do share

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CMZ2018 · 13/03/2022 10:41

No thanks

Wintersbone · 13/03/2022 10:42

We've asked our children's private schools if they would be willing to provide free places. They are Christian in ethos so I would hope they would come up with a few places. The local schools are already bursting at the seams.

Dashel · 13/03/2022 10:45

DH and I will probably be signing up. We are very rural, no nearby houses and 30 minute walk to an irregular bus stop, but I am going to offer them my car. I rarely use it as I work from home, it’s more for in case of emergencies.

I can’t see how you make much, if any profit on the £350 a month?

I know they will get some money from the government but we are expecting to be buying quite a bit to help them initially as they aren’t likely to bring much with them. We don’t have anything for kids at all, so unless you already have all that, it can be a big expense.

We do have great local schools, if you can drive and I think we would be able to find some local part time work if they wanted in a friends business. I know our community would do what they could to help as well.

adriftabroad · 13/03/2022 10:46

I thought Sophie Raworth just said it was a 'one off payment' of 350 pounds on the BBC, just now.

(Don't live in UK, just saying incase people didn't realise this.)

Of course it might not be true, I'll rewatch.

ilovebrie8 · 13/03/2022 10:49

Yeah I think she did say that it’s a one off payment. It’s not a good idea people matching themselves as the traffickers etc will have a field day...should be done by church /Charity coordinating that...too much scope for abuse otherwise ...

daisypond · 13/03/2022 10:51

It’s not safe or fair to expect a child to have to live with a traumatised stranger who probably doesn’t even speak their language.

But that’s the point - to make it safe and fair for children -Ukrainian children. Children are being expected to live with strangers who don’t speak their language - because it makes them safer. I don’t know why you would be traumatised, though. Perhaps you have your reasons.

Original poster
EezyOozy · 13/03/2022 10:51

Ah good info about the £350 being one off. Perhaps I just assumed it was a regular contribution.... or misheard

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Original poster
EezyOozy · 13/03/2022 10:52

I'll still be interested regardless

OP posts:
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