Anna Valley, Red Rice and Upper Clatford - Community Ukrainian Refugee Support

Britons have been asked to open their homes to Ukrainians fleeing their country, as part of a new “sponsored” humanitarian route to allow more refugees to enter Britain. The route will give Ukrainians without family links to the UK the opportunity come to the country in order to escape the war.

Michael Gove, the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Secretary, has said that anyone keen to offer refugees shelter in the UK can register their interest through the new scheme from Monday 14 March.

The new sponsorship scheme, called the Homes for Ukraine programme, will give British individuals, charities, businesses and community groups the opportunity to offer rooms to those escaping the conflict. Anyone with a room or home available can offer it to a Ukrainian individual or a family. Those who host a refugee, will receive a “thank you” payment of £350 per month, with additional payments available to support school-age children who will need to be accommodated within the education system.

Those refugees who enter the UK through this new route will be allowed to stay with members of the public for at least six months. Sponsored Ukrainians will be granted three years’ leave to remain in the UK, with entitlement to work and access to public services. The government is expected to launch its webpage and hotline today. Once it is available, we can register to offer accommodation to Ukrainian refugees.

I am aware of several families who would like to provide help to Ukrainian Refugees.

We would like to establish who in our Parish would like to get involved. It would be great to have a group of Refugees in the area (Goodworth Clatford are doing the same thing). If you are interested in this opportunity to help, please send me an email at charles.c.eyre@btinternet.com.

Once I have your email, I will keep you informed on what the conditions are and what Government financial support there will be so that you can make a decision as to whether you are in a position to help.