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Anyone considering this? We’ve got a spare bedroom now no1 daughter is at uni so I’m thinking this might be the least I can do now the rules are changing.
Yes, Mrs OS mooted the idea last night. We’d be happy to.
Certainly considering it. House is a bit of a mess at the moment due to renovations, but we could clear a room and it seems churlish not to. Will be watching for more details.
Yep, saw that there was going to be some sort of scheme, will look into it
My wife and I have discussed it, we may well. One thing that worries me about our place though is you can only walk out via a footpath, and the nearest bus stop is best part of a mile. Dont want them to become trapped here.
Funnily enough, this came up in conversation this morning. We have a guest room that's not in regular use.
@timbog160 house is a bit of a mess? I don't think they'll mind 😉
One thing that worries me about our place though is you can only walk out via a footpath, and the nearest bus stop is best part of a mile. Dont want them to become trapped here.
Yeah, we're slightly in the middle of nowhere too, but I guess they might appreciate some peace and quiet...
Lols yes I think you’re right Onzadog 😂
We're away for two month blocks up til mid July, after that we will be. Would have done it before during Syrian and Afghan crises but had my elderly mum in the spare room.
I hope out of this tragedy we can start to become a better place, call out the "help our own firsters"
With working from home we've no longer got the spare too, but looking to see what wider community support might be needed, sure Scouts, Guides and cycle club will be doing something.
Kids have just about outgrown their bikes and wife never uses hers, so there's a thought.
My wife and I have discussed it, we may well. One thing that worries me about our place though is you can only walk out via a footpath, and the nearest bus stop is best part of a mile. Dont want them to become trapped here.
We have discussed and are in a very similar situation except there is no bus stop. It's 5 miles to the nearest town or any shops. We would be doing a lot of ferrying about. I am retired so could possibly do it, but need to give it a lot of thought. A single adult or couple might be fine but children would be harder. I don't know how it works or if they are able to match hosts to guests to some degree?
Already noted this on the Big Thread, but if you find the last 15 minutes of Radio 4 PM program, Wednesday and Thursdays edition you'll hear some uplifting stories from a refugee, host and woman who works with a charity who organises placements.
We looked into it during the Afghan crisis, not sure our house is big enough.
Refugeesathome.org
We are trying to work out what we can do. We have a holiday let next door that is pretty much fully booked from the end of the month until end of Oct....should we be looking to cancel all those bookings, take the financial hit and give it over to one or two families. As we are in the arse end of nowhere 8 miles to a shop with no bus service it might not be the best location......so possibly better to keep running it and donate all the profits for the season to supporting displaced Ukrainians either closer to their nation (that seems to be where most would prefer to be) or in more easy to live in parts of the UK. Whilst that might be the more sane thing to do, it also feels like it is palming off the care to others and paying my way out of feeling guilty about that which does not sit well with me.
@convert
My guts days keep it running and donate the proceeds. Maybe let all your visitors know as well. Maybe leave a collection box in there as well.
I was umming and ahhing about it, I guess it comes down to being matched with the right person for me.
I expect they are just like any other group of people, some pretty sound types you would quite happily share with and some nobbers you wouldn't touch with a barge pole, just need to find the right one for you
The biggest question is surely going to be around duration. I'm sure most folk considering it are thinking somewhere in the order of a few weeks but then what? What mid to long term plan is there for housing however many refugees arrive if Putin stays put?
I’m sure most folk considering it are thinking somewhere in the order of a few weeks but then what? What mid to long term plan is there for housing however many refugees arrive if Putin stays put?
It looks like on the government scheme you'll need to sign up expecting a 6 month stay.
It's a big commitment but I'm not wired to see what I'm seeing on telly and not respond with something meaningful and useful. I met a bloke locally yesterday who said he thought the UK and UK people should just stay out of it and let nature take it's course. But then he also said that covid was a fuss about nothing so his sanity card is pretty firmly marked on the bell-o-meter scale.
It looks like on the government scheme you’ll need to sign up expecting a 6 month stay.
But then what?
Ideally, Putin gets a bloody nose and backs out. Ukrainians will head home and then have the struggle to rebuild their country.
If Putin succeeds then I guess many refugees will consider moving back home to again try to rebuild their lives as best they can, amongst family and friends.
But what if those who, understandably, don't want to live under an oppressive new regime?
Maybe I'm overthinking it and only seeing things from a very parochial perspective. There are hundreds of holiday homes in the Strath but already a massive shortage of housing. Jobs are less of an issue - there are constant Wanted ads - just nowhere for folk to live (hence the constant Wanted ads!)
One thing I'll add - in my previous work I had the pleasure of being the pastoral lead at a school for a Syrian refugee. Over time, appreciating what her and her family had been through made such a difference to my world view (and I've lived and worked overseas in the past so I'm not totally green). Working with her (and her family) was one of the most humbling and educative things I have ever done personally or professionally. I don't think of myself as racist or derogatory to those from different cultures but that experience really had me questioning my subconscious preconceptions.
Looking after a Ukrainian family might be a selfless act of kindness but I guarantee it will also be an enlightening one too for host adults and children alike. You'll come out the other side a better person.
Would seem a shame to let a worry about something that may not be a issue many months away get in the road of doing something nice.
Would seem a shame to let a worry about something that may not be a issue many months away get in the road of doing something nice.
But you have to consider it. If it was just a month or two not an issue, I’d have already signed up. Min of 6 months, that’s a lot of time with someone you may not have anything in common with in your house. From experience in my younger days sharing a house with your best mates is bad enough. It’s not as if you can just say ‘stay in your room, don’t use the lounge etc etc’ is it
And then what happened after 6 months. If the war is still going on or they can’t return home does anyone seriously expect our government to have made alternative plans. You maybe faced with the very unpalatable decision to kick out a person or people with nowhere else to go. Would you be prepared to do that?
I think if I did do it I’d have to go in with the attitude that’s it’s permanent until the refugee wants to move out. Whatever’s happening in Ukraine isn’t going to solved for years, minimum.
My son’s best friend is a Syrian refugee who’s graduated and now working. We have no shortage of space. I’d certainly consider it.
Regarding the holiday let, I don't think you'd be palming them off - you may well make a greater impact. They need basic accommodation, your let is probably a lot nicer than that, so putting them in it isn't going to be the best bang for buck. Maybe some organisation or other people could use your profit to provision more accommodation of sufficient quality.
As others have said, I expect with the gov't you'll get some randomers, be wholly responsible for them yourself, and no way out. Except for kicking them out onto the street if they turn out to be dicks or you've had enough in 6mths, and if you're the sort taking folk you'll probably not do such a shitty thing.
My perception of the gov's approach is, wokes and lefties want refugees, our core voters don't, so if they want refugees let them have them personally in their own homes with full responsibility indefinitely.
Alright, I'll be the one to say it.
I'd love to help, I really would (genuinely), but the bit that's uncertain for me is what happens after. How long would they be expecting to stay for, as without a solid government or local authority plan in place they'll end up in your house for a very long time. Sure you may be happy to house people for six months, a year or two, but if there's nowhere for them to go after that you can't be expected to house them forever and you sure as hell can't kick them out on the street if/when your life circumstances change and it's not feasible or if you don't get along with them.
If there aren't houses for them to go to now, there won't be in two years time. And if there are places for them to go to now, why don't they just immediately focus on getting those places ready to be inhabited and just put them there now.
Needs to be some proper joined up thinking here I'd say.
We've just had the chat. We have a small spare room and not much money...so it's a no brainer.
We"LL be signing up.
We”LL be signing up.
Good man.
My perception of the gov’s approach is, wokes and lefties want refugees, our core voters don’t, so if they want refugees let them have them personally in their own homes with full responsibility indefinitely
It's likely to be a practical thing, they haven't housed the 25k Afghans in country, they will be bringing in more soon, for whatever reason the civil service/LA thing isn't working and the system is bunged up
It's crap but it's the reality
Alright, I’ll be the one to say it.
I’d love to help, I really would (genuinely), but the bit that’s uncertain for me is what happens after. How long would they be expecting to stay for, as without a solid government or local authority plan in place they’ll end up in your house for a very long time. Sure you may be happy to house people for six months, a year or two, but if there’s nowhere for them to go after that you can’t be expected to house them forever and you sure as hell can’t kick them out on the street if/when your life circumstances change and it’s not feasible or if you don’t get along with them.
Will refugees be allowed to work? That's what I'd imagine most would want to do if possible, gain some independence and their own place?
Will refugees be allowed to work?
Yes, if what's been mentioned already will be stuck to.
We would love to be able to give someone a safe and welcoming place to stay. But we know it would be very difficult, what with me being away a lot, and many other factors to fit in.
So, we'll be looking to provide help and solace in other ways. Probably volunteering with some local organisation etc..
Gove is proposing £350 pm for a room for a single person or a family. This is a bit different to eg Afghans housed in the Grand Hotel, Scarborough. It could be easily absorbed just by fuel bills. They're privatising the system and offloading the cost. Can't see many taking that up.
Will refugees be allowed to work?
Interesting thing on R4 yesterday - someone talking for the care industry saying that for obvious reasons there were more than usual number of spaces in sheltered accommodation but a chronic shortage of staff. Putting some Ukrainian families in those empty bedsits and in return them working as care support workers would be a win all around. What he wanted from the UK government was a work around to not being able to get DRB check confirmations for them from a Ukrainian government with more pressing issues.
This link might be useful for folks that would like to do something but can't offer a home:
Ukrainian families in those empty bedsits and in return them working as care support workers would be a win all around.
I’m not convinced by that. It takes a special type of person to work in the care industry, many people can not cope with that type of work, and just shows how under valued care workers are in this country
The scheme is a great idea but don’t forget most people leaving are leaving as family units ie more than 1 person. Also although a great gesture for anyone to take people in, long term issues can occur when people from a different culture enter an area without a support structure around them (other Ukrainians). I only say this as we have many overseas nurses working in our organisation and after a period of time mental health starts to suffer as they miss their cultural norms/friends etc
Great to see the number of people willing to help.
There's some feedback on the experiences of the people handling the refugees and the people giving them accomodation on this side of the channel and I'd like to repeat it here as it's cautionary.
The vast majority of people arriving are women with their children and old folks. What they have in common is trauma. What they all need is more than just a room/flat/house. They need looking after, mentally and sometimes physically. Do you have the time to become a full-time carer to an old person, a playmate to kids or a shoulder to cry on? The commitment demanded goes well beyond a set of keys to accomodation.
I’m not convinced by that. It takes a special type of person to work in the care industry, many people can not cope with that type of work, and just shows how under valued care workers are in this country
Whilst obviously not every Ukrainian would either be suitable or able to do the job, you'd be doing an entire nation a significant disservice to imagine some could not. And like it or not we can't find enough staff to do the job and don't seem willing to vote for a government prepared to put up taxes enough to pay more (or pay more than we need to privately) so the issue is not going away any time soon.
The vast majority of people arriving are women with their children and old folks. What they have in common is trauma. What they all need is more than just a room/flat/house. They need looking after, mentally and sometimes physically. Do you have the time to become a full-time carer to an old person, a playmate to kids or a shoulder to cry on? The commitment demanded goes well beyond a set of keys to accomodation.
This is an excellent point
The gov site is up and now taking prebookings. I've registered.
I take my proverbial hat off to each and every one of you who is signing up. I do wish I could help more but I know even if I did have a spare room I am not sure I could do it.
I’ll be seeing what else I can do to help though.
I think the emotional response to do it is strong and laudable but there needs to be a strong dose of realism too as mentioned already on this thread.
What would the person of people need once they are safe and know they are not getting bombed?
Social contacts, access or contact with relatives, their preferred social norms be that food or how you spend your evenings
What would the exit strategy be for that person?
Would they be allowed to leave and go elsewhere if they wanted to? Would they have different rights to other refugees? Would they have the right to remain in the UK and rely on you for references?
What would happen if they discovered they didn't like you, your home or the way you behaved?
Could they leave or are they stuck with their first placement or home? how much planning can they do for after they leave? Will they get in trouble for saying you smell and can't ride for sh*t?
What are they actually getting beyond a safe bed and roof?
Are you going to be wandering into their room to get your old jacket out of the wardrobe? Is there an exercise bike in the corner? Is there enough room for them to be able to have a little privacy without having to be sat on the bed?
I am sure you have similar concerns too. We have a room known as the spare room but I counted up and it has been slept in 23 nights since Christmas, okay 12 of them was me when I broke my ribs and couldn't sleep in the soft bed but even so, is the spare room really spare?
I fully support people who can and do this but my first thought was Yes I can until I went through a few of the impacts so now it is a no unfortunately
I am sure that we will figure out any problems one way or another.
For those considering it, total respect. I have considered it but we’ve decided that it’s not the best option for my mental health.
However, what I came to say was there was a very interesting interview on the radio 4 World at One Programme yesterday (Monday 14th) that would be worth listening to (second half of the program) from a lady who had a lot of experience supporting refugees.
A good article in the Guardian today by Helen Pidd (who coincidentally writes all their cycling articles) on her experiences of taking in a Syrian refugee in 2015. As has been mentioned already these will be traumatised people, who will need support
Unsurprisingly our government has shown it has little interest in begrudgingly having them here in the first place, so I guess that support will be nonexistent,so that responsibility will fall to those housing them
Thinking about offering a room to a Ukrainian refugee? Let me help
Just registered interest. Me and my partner a spare room. We don't have a lot of spare space, small house, only one bathroom, but it's not getting shelled on a nightly basis so there's that.
Obviously it's a massive decision. The length of time is the biggest uncertainty. Obviously worried about how someone would fit into our already busy lives. The rising cost of living doesn't help - we're comfortable but not well off. We're also going through a transition with me giving up my job and looking for a new career.
I also don't trust this government to offer any more support to refugees or host than that which is beaten out of it by the blunt stick of public opinion.
But the situation in Ukraine is increasingly devastating and to be able to do something to help feels like a big deal. I can see how it has the potential to be an incredibly enriching experience, if it goes well. It's only sensible to consider all the possibilities, as WCA has, but I think it might be one of those things (like starting a business, having kids, or doing a bigger/scarier bike ride than you've done before) where you just have to accept that there are risks and go for it, and see what happens (I should point out this isn't a judgement of WCA or anyone else). I'm not saying definitely, but these are my thoughts at the moment.
Fair play to everyone that is doing it. We're still finishing a barn conversion currently so don't even have a house of our own, let alone a spare room. We'll have 1 spare room when it's done.....I'd consider it. Again, we're very isolated here though, so transport would be an issue.
I'd be interested in helping to support anyone local that does take people in though. Be it running errands or financially etc. Maybe some local support networks will emerge?
I’ve registered. I hope you get to meet potential guests before deciding if they move in. I’ve got a spare room. I can pile all my crap into the garage. I’m close to Liverpool that has a large Polish community so maybe common links. The cash would be useful but I can use it for extra food, bills, save it to help them get on their feet. The trauma side is worrying me but so is not doing anything when I have an easy life compared to the majority of the world’s population. See what happens, hope for the best.
My friends Martin and Fran took in a Syrian refugee, Mouhyedin, several years ago - https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/15634259.he-enriched-lives-say-darlington-couple-took-young-syrian-fleeing-warzone/
He's since opened his own restaurant - https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/business/18100479.this-town-people---syrian-refugees-new-restaurant-for-darlington/ - and recently bought his own home and enrolled on an OU degree.
I've signed up but am super cautious for the usual selfish reasons (someone in my space) but more because I'm a single dad and my 12 yr old lives with me half the time. Him wanting to stay here is critical so I'm wary of that being impacted. (Have discussed it with him and he's keen to help)
But... I know it is both the right thing and potentially a really rewarding experience for my son. I guess it hinges on the person who'd be here.
I love the idea of it, but we simply don't have the space. Only one spare room, that's now used as an office, the other office area being the living room. (we are both WFH) If I still owned my flat I would have offered that, but I wouldn't have been on hand to chaperone? With the points raised above about support, it may not have been any use anyway.