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.

I think realistically the major cities are where refugees will be rehomed. Ukrainians are proud hard workers and will want to to earn their keep, they will also want to mix with people from ‘back home’ as would we if we thrust into a new culture. One idea that occurred to me is there are a lot of chronically lonely lonely people in the UK, especially pensioners. It would probably give them a new lease of life to host a refugee , it could be mutually beneficial.

Chris packhams stepdaughter did live broadcasts with him every morning in lockdown when nobody else could. She was very good and knowledgeable so guess that was her audition.

Wrong thread

I do have one world of warning although this probably has more to do with my ancestors loose morals rather than the refugee.. My great auntie had Latvian refugees staying with them during WW2. Incredibly hardworking and nice people. All was well until one of the adult daughters joined ancestry, did a DNA test and found out her father was Latvian. Oooops….. well it was wartime ..

No way. I don't have a spare room anyway so can't realistically even consider it, but I'm astounded at the number of people who are willingly wanting to open up their homes to traumatised individuals who don't speak the same language. It's asking for trouble.

I'm happy to donate money or items of whatever is needed in that respect, but to offer my home is a step too far for me.

@cloverlover

I'd really like to host but have the following issues

1. single parent with 1 DC in a 2 bed flat. My DC is in my bed every night (age 9) so the other room rarely gets used. I'd happily waive my usage of the room for a refugee but would it be deemed suitable given there are already 2 of us in the flat?

2. I privately rent. Would this cause an issue?

3. I get housing benefit. Again would this be affected by the monies given towards the hosting?

I would really love to help out but I worry that the system will make it difficult for me or decline my offer, despite having what I believe to be suitable accommodation.

Any thoughts welcome.

If you have a separate living room (that could in theory be used as a bedroom) then you wouldn't be statutorily overcrowded so could potentially offer without you or your landlord breaking the law. If not, then it wouldn't be legal for your landlord to allow it. Even if you do have a separate living room you'd probably need to ask you landlord's permission for a lodger and they may say no.

If you're still on old style benefits (tax credits and HB) then these would be affected by having a normal lodger paying rent. You'll have to see what the rules are for the £350 refugee payments - it's possible they'll treat them differently so have a look at the details when they publish them.

I'm so torn. There are so many every-day logistical concerns. My house is a proper shit tip. We're really tight with the heating, and it does get cold. The WiFi is rubbish, and 4G signal is very patchy. We eat rubbish food, and would find it very difficult to "just make a few extra portions" (there are already 6 in our household- a whole tray of chips only just does us as we are. I told you we eat rubbish food). My kids yell at each other all day long. Plus, we live 3 miles from the nearest bus stop.

I just can't see that anyone would want to come and stay with us. I'm worried that a family would travel all the way here and be horrified by what they found.

@CMZ2018

No thanks

Then you're on the wrong thread.

Why are people so hung up on transport links and how far the bus stop is?

Where do you think these people will be going?

They will be traumatised and want to regroup and see how things unfold over the next six months.

I doubt they will be up and commuting their 2nd month in. Aside from that, what are all these jobs they'll be going to? There's hardly enough p/t, flexible, short term jobs for people as it is.

Why are people so hung up on transport links and how far the bus stop is?

Because previously various refugee charities have said they will only place people in cities, so they don't become isolated, and because public transport is expensive.

@LottyD32

Why are people so hung up on transport links and how far the bus stop is?

Where do you think these people will be going?

They will be traumatised and want to regroup and see how things unfold over the next six months.

I doubt they will be up and commuting their 2nd month in. Aside from that, what are all these jobs they'll be going to? There's hardly enough p/t, flexible, short term jobs for people as it is.

These jobs will be the same ones anyone can apply for? They could be qualified nurses / dentists / teachers?

@MrsLargeEmbodied

Nightingale hospital sounds a great idea, not exactly homely though

Yes agree but the actual structure could be made homely with furnishings,partitions etc .It would just take some imagination from interior designer etc

@LottyD32

Why are people so hung up on transport links and how far the bus stop is?

Where do you think these people will be going?

They will be traumatised and want to regroup and see how things unfold over the next six months.

I doubt they will be up and commuting their 2nd month in. Aside from that, what are all these jobs they'll be going to? There's hardly enough p/t, flexible, short term jobs for people as it is.

Because no one wants to feel like a prisoner in someone else's house. Anyone staying here without a car would essentially be stuck here all day every day (farming country- we're not walking distance from anywhere, and there aren't even any footpaths to just go for a walk). I think most people would want to be able to make links with their own community from back home, which just wouldn't be possible here (unless they had a car).

@LottyD32

Why are people so hung up on transport links and how far the bus stop is?

Where do you think these people will be going?

They will be traumatised and want to regroup and see how things unfold over the next six months.

I doubt they will be up and commuting their 2nd month in. Aside from that, what are all these jobs they'll be going to? There's hardly enough p/t, flexible, short term jobs for people as it is.

The Refugee at home website says they use rural hosts for short term placements and "respite" placements - eg if a regular host needs their spare room back for a week for a family visit. The refugees they work with (mostly single men for Syria, etc) do want to be able to meet each other and find work so they like to be in cities or public transport. The Ukrainian refugees might be a bit different - eg access to schools might be more important than work opportunities at least initially.

@hassletassle

Why are people so hung up on transport links and how far the bus stop is?

Because previously various refugee charities have said they will only place people in cities, so they don't become isolated, and because public transport is expensive.

Ah OK, that makes sense then. I wondered why everyone was saying they're rural, that will be no good for them.

I'd have thought peaceful countryside would be a plus.

LottyD32

Why are people so hung up on transport links and how far the bus stop is?

Where do you think these people will be going?

They will be traumatised and want to regroup and see how things unfold over the next six months.

I doubt they will be up and commuting their 2nd month in. Aside from that, what are all these jobs they'll be going to? There's hardly enough p/t, flexible, short term jobs for people as it is.“

Think you may be surprised. Proud, resilient people want to support their kids.

I’m 58 and can’t remember a time when there have been more vacancies. Employers are desperate for good staff. Lots of refugees will be over-qualified for some roles, though.

I would love to do this but don’t have a spare room. It would mean either my DD giving up her bedroom or a refugee sleeping in the living room.

Is anyone else in the same boat doing this? Am I being unrealistic?

These threads make me sad because when you dig deeper it's clear how many sections of society are viewed.

From my experience volunteering with refugees, transport is important both for work and for getting together with other people.

@LottyD32 To be fair, I think transport is a consideration. If you sign up to take on a refugee, they would probably need to be able to access English classes for starters. I don't think it's fair to assume that all Ukrainians can speak fluent English. They might need to access a shop/supermarket/GP/dentist/counsellor/physiotherapist/optician/hospital etc. If these things aren't within walking distance (or there isn't decent public transport links) then they're effectively a prisoner in their home - dependent on the willingness and ability of their host family to drive them around everywhere they need or want to go. Also, from a social point of view, they would probably like to meet up occasionally with other Ukrainian people who speak their language and share their culture. And of course, there will be lots of women arriving with children. How will the children get to afterschool activities?

I would volunteer but I very much doubt I'd be accepted as I have no space, it would be a case of crash on the sofa or have an airbed in the dining room that would need to be out the way by 7 every morning for the kids getting up and getting ready for school/activities. The money is a non issue, I'm very surprised it's being offered. I could help quite a lot with finding work, schooling and my boss gives substantial paid time off for volunteer work.

I would like to think if it was us in that situation, there would be somewhere safe I could take my children.

Was it Gove who said the government should seize the Russian oligarchs multi million homes and house refugees in them?

I am glad so many people are willing to house refugees, it does make me sad though to think of those refugees from Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen etc seeing this & wondering why people weren't so willing to help them. Full disclaimer: I cannot host any refugees, I work full time, have no spare room & a young child, however I do already volunteer with women who have recently arrived in Britain and will be giving birth with no family support. I also would like to say, I'm sure most people would help refugees from anywhere in the world, the disappointment I have isn't aimed at individuals who are offering help, it's at the government who treat those coming from outwith Europe as lesser beings. I feel sad for those men, women and children.

@Fudgein Personally I have only had the ability to actually help for the past few months, in terms of my finances and housing arrangements. I can't speak for others.

AnchorWHAT

Was it Gove who said the government should seize the Russian oligarchs multi million homes and house refugees in them?“

Disturbingly, deep breath, I agree with Gove. Not a sentence I will ever repeat.