Anyone able to host a Ukrainian mother and child?

[kc38]

Hi

We're in the process of hosting/sponsoring a Ukrainian mother and her daughter to stay in our separate flat. We were flooded with applications and eventually talked to three mothers, each with a child. As, sadly, we can only host one, we have two who will be disappointed. Both are really nice.

So if anyone is interested in hosting them, I can put you in touch with them. One speaks excellent English, has a two-year old and is clearly independent and driven; she would definitely be able to manage virtually everything herself. The other's spoken English is OK, but not great, and has an eight-year old son, who only knows a few words of English - a more challenging situation but she's keen to improve her English. Both have husbands in Kyiv and are keen to return to Ukraine.

[IlonaM]

I suggest also looking at options on this thread: https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?20,2265322

In particular, just saw this this morning which may be helpful: https://www.ukrainianlondon.co.uk/helping-ukrainian-refugees-arriving-in-the-uk/

[Leara4077]

Yes. Please private message me

[scarlettbanks]

Hi kc38, we are thinking of offering a spare double-room in our house, either to a single adult, or a single adult with kid. Can I ask what process you went through, to be connected to the three mothers? Should one go through the Gov scheme https://www.gov.uk/register-interest-homes-ukraine ? And does one then simultaneously go through a website like this (https://ukrainianlondon.co.uk/helping-ukrainian-refugees-arriving-in-the-uk/) to get matched with a guest, or does this happen automatically after registering on the gov.uk site?

We are slightly nervous about:

- the '6-month minimum' (what if the arrangement doesn't work out well, and also what happens if they need to stay beyond 6 months)

- sharing our common area including kitchen space for 6 months, and how this will affect our two young kids (although hopefully it would be a really positive experience for them).

- but mainly nervous about finding a suitable person to host, who feels like a 'good match'. Did you feel you had adequate control over who would stay with you?

Thanks for any advice, or general thoughts, from kc38 or anyone else!

[DiD]

There is a really useful Facebook site offering advice and support to potential hosts (as well as enabling people from Ukraine to post requests). A lot of dialogue there on the process.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/654051075885672/about

[Guest]

kc38 what a wonderful spirit Brilliant ....i helped a couple from SYRIA and a young man from IRAQ a few years back i wish there were more kind humans like your self around then with the same spirit .

[amlh]

Hi everyone, a friend is looking for a sponsor for a 26 year old girl called Maria, who is a Ukranian currently in Poland. In fact, Maria does not need a bedroom, as she will stay with my friend.

However, the form requires sponsors to say they have a spare room (and I understand that the council checks these rooms - though whether they actually have the resources to do so I do not know). We would like to be her sponsor but we can't as it is obvious that our house has no spare bedroom.

Is anyone able be Maria's sponsor?

Thanks!

[amlh]

Hi everyone, a friend is looking for a sponsor for a 26 year old girl called Maria, who is a Ukrainian currently in Poland. In fact, Maria does not need a bedroom, as she will stay with my friend.

However, the form requires sponsors to say they have a spare room (and I understand that the council checks these rooms - though whether they actually have the resources to do so I do not know). We would like to be her sponsor but we can't as it is obvious that our house has no spare bedroom.

Is anyone able to be Maria's sponsor? It is not a normal sponsorship request because Maria would not actually need to live with you.

Maria is very friendly, very fun, she likes jokes and is very open. Her English is not great but she is always finding ways to express herself anyway. She likes running, reading books, visiting new museums and making fun plans.

It would be so good if we could help her.

Here is the Govt guidance: [www.gov.uk]

Thanks! Pm me if you can help or might know someone who can

[Guest]

Why your friends are happy to have a refugee in their house but not to fill a form and act as sponsor officially, taking responsibility for this?

Are they not eligible for the scheme? if so, I find a bit disturbing that you ask if somebody else is willing to fill the form, get the money - without knowing you (as a mediator?), your friends as the wanna-be real host and the same refugee that you describe as a "very fun" person who "likes jokes and is very open" ...

I would recommend you to get in touch with somebody who has already dealt with complicated situation like this - I think the website at https://ukrainianlondon.co.uk/helping-ukrainian-refugees-arriving-in-the-uk/ gives you some good references.

[amlh]

Hi, thanks for the question and the helpful website.

In answer to your question, the girl who is happy to have her in the house is her best friend, another 26 year old Ukrainian. She can't be a sponsor because she doesn't a spare bedroom. She's desperate to get her best friend to the UK and so I'm keen to help in any way I can.