Money for refugees

Yes LuluAugust I fear a lot of people may intitially agree and then find they cannot cope, too. In recent years we have hosted foreign students and had various people to stay, so it probably makes me a bit aware- but I don't have experience of supporting people from war torn countries and with complex traumas.

I think it's wise to talk about what's involved because then anyone who's considering giving them shelter can weigh up what's going to be involved and also not be sucked into doing something that's potentially going to be harmful to their own wellbeing.

Really, truly if it's not acceptable to ask the refugees to clean and do laundry, then you are essentially making yourself a lot of extra cleaning and laundry as host, while your "guests" may not help. I fear that most people do not have the time, space, financial freedom and patience to do host- and that the government may use our reluctance as an excuse not to take many Ukrainians.

I wonder if there are other countries in Europe that will take them and how they are doing it?

AreWeThereYet

Delila and Patsy70 They have been with us for some weeks, as our friend managed to get them out as soon as things started to turn really sour. So although they were frightened they were unharmed. They are obviously very worried about everyone left behind (including two brothers and a son), and about their houses and property, and are keen to go back as soon as possible. It was a bit sticky at the beginning (Should we talk about the war? Shouldn't we talk about the war? Will we upset them? ) but we've all got to know each other a bit better now. It would be a whole other kettle of fish having refugees who have actually escaped a war zone I think. It is also easier for us as Lina takes responsibility for anything that is needed for her family, so we are really just housing and feeding them, almost as if they are on holiday.

If I am honest I am finding it very difficult dealing with their mood swinging between extreme demands (I really, really don't think I can do anything about the Russians, I'm so sorry) which seems to happen every time the family have all been together, and their extreme gratitude, which I think is because Lina reminds them every now and again that they would be back sleeping on her floor if we didn't put them up, and I'm really not sure which is worse. We're away this week so we're all having a bit of a break from being under each others feet. When there are normally only two (or one) of you it needs a big mental adjustment to cope with other people being around constantly. And before anyone feels the need to give me a slap - yes, I am aware how much worse it is for them, which is why Lina will never hear any of this from me.

Sorry, didn't mean to write a book and bore you to death. ?

A very lucid, honest and thought-provoking post, which gives a realistic insight into what it means to host a refugee. Thank you for posting it.

... and if anyone thinks you need a 'slap'... they need to give their heads a good wobble first.

Kudos to you.

I don't think anyone should want to give you a slap, this is a free country and I hope we don't end up being judged by whether we can take in a refugee or not.

Delila and Patsy70 They have been with us for some weeks, as our friend managed to get them out as soon as things started to turn really sour. So although they were frightened they were unharmed. They are obviously very worried about everyone left behind (including two brothers and a son), and about their houses and property, and are keen to go back as soon as possible. It was a bit sticky at the beginning (Should we talk about the war? Shouldn't we talk about the war? Will we upset them? ) but we've all got to know each other a bit better now. It would be a whole other kettle of fish having refugees who have actually escaped a war zone I think. It is also easier for us as Lina takes responsibility for anything that is needed for her family, so we are really just housing and feeding them, almost as if they are on holiday.

If I am honest I am finding it very difficult dealing with their mood swinging between extreme demands (I really, really don't think I can do anything about the Russians, I'm so sorry) which seems to happen every time the family have all been together, and their extreme gratitude, which I think is because Lina reminds them every now and again that they would be back sleeping on her floor if we didn't put them up, and I'm really not sure which is worse. We're away this week so we're all having a bit of a break from being under each others feet. When there are normally only two (or one) of you it needs a big mental adjustment to cope with other people being around constantly. And before anyone feels the need to give me a slap - yes, I am aware how much worse it is for them, which is why Lina will never hear any of this from me.

Sorry, didn't mean to write a book and bore you to death. ?

I fear a lot of people will volunteer and then find they can't cope. You need to think could you cope with members of your own family living with you for six months and then consider how you would cope with strangers. The heart may say yes but really the head should rule on this.

Maybe it takes a special kind of person to accommodate a probably traumatised refugee - this is not a 'sponsor-a-student' enterprise where you are simply offering accommodation, food and a bit of language-learning thrown in.

There's much more to it than just offering up a spare room, I think you'd have to make sure your diary was free of any commitments and that you had the time, the empathy and 'know-how' to host these refugees who are going to be quite reliant on you 24 hours a day... especially if there are children - who will need a safe play area both inside and out.

It's a good idea in principle - but it seems to be almost a knee-jerk reaction by the government who want to be seen as 'doing something' but haven't really thought it through.

It's all very well to feel magnanimous and sympathetic to the awful plight of these women and children but taking them in is a commitment that you can't really give up on if it doesn't work out well. They deserve better than this.

Just imagine. These people were living normal lives like you and me. Within days their lives changed beyond all recognition. What a desperate situation. All they need is warmth, food, a comfortable bed, a shower and someone who cares to listen to what they have experienced. How can we help?

Sorry but I was amazed.

Having people fleeing war to live in your house if they do your housework is basically slave labour.

Oh my goodness.

I initially felt that, these poor people are so displaced, have lost all that's dear and familiar to them, that it might be kindest to house them all together where their culture can be supported. I thought, perhaps they can find support from other's who know what they have been through?

But then I saw a comment on the Daily Mail that said that the British government hope that their language skills will be helped by living with a British family. I also realised that they may be too traumatised to be of much help or support to each other, so may benefit from our solidness. "Solidness? " You know what I mean.

Many questions have been raised and will continue to be raised, I think. Yet it's important for everything to be transparent because most people don't have an annexe that's lying empty. I don't know anyone with spare rooms that they either are not using or that they don't need to rent out. I think if there was some type of scheme where they would do something in return for their rent, like providing housework or other essential services for older people then they could be a real asset and the situation could be mutually beneficial if personalities were matched and good relationships were made.

I'm already seeing things online along the lines of "So-and-so criticised the treatment of refugees but HE's not taking one into his own house."

It shouldn't be incumbent on anybody to take anybody else into their house and nobody should be made to feel guilty for not housing a refugee. It does seem as this is just a way of the government being able to dodge responsibility and make it our fault.

We're the 6th biggest economy in the world. We can manage.

What about local communities getting together and providing temporary shelter, with all necessary facilities in, for example, village halls, and sharing the help, funds and responsibility required? I’m probably being naive and unrealistic.

I fear that, if this scheme fails because it is ill thought out, and expectations of host households turn out to be excessive and unrealistic, and if insufficient people feel they are able to come forward to offer this level of support, the recriminations will be aimed at an ungenerous, disappointing response from the British public and the government will feel able to say, well, we tried.

I think Sponsorship does potentially change the dynamics because normally refugees do get payments of £36 a week, which is supposed to cover food and toiletries. (That's a paltry £5.14 a day!)

I suspect that this would not be given out to a refugee who has a sponsor. As I saw someone mention on the Daily Mail story, there will be additional costs of nappies and baby milk etc , clothind and shoes as most will have fled with barely more than the clothes on their backs. www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10606715/Britons-host-Ukrainian-refugees-fleeing-Putins-war-350-month-thank-payments.html#reader-comments

The government needs to be putting together a comprehensive package of what's on offer and how they can help facilitate the resettlement of these poor survivors. They have already been through so much. I don't know of many people who can afford to host a family in their home in return for approximately just £10 a day. I know, it's charity- but I think many of us would prefer to continue to donate to charities providing aid to the Ukrainians rather than host them in our home. I think most of us would prefer to pay £10 a day for them not to be in our home- and that's no offence meant to the Ukrainian people. My previous experience of having people from other cultures living in our home has given me a realistic look at the challenges that can exist- and the costs that can be involved.

AreWeThereYet I would like to know how everything is working for you all.

OnwardandUpward

Refugees are able to see a Dr or go to A &E and I think it's free to see a Dr in an emergency, but that certain types of treatment are not covered. www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-entitlements-migrant-health-guide

I know that when I looked into being a sponsor for someone overseas if I had done so, I would have needed to have paid their NHS surcharge as they had no recourse to public funds (benefits of any kind) and no entitlement to NHS treatment beyond basic emergency help.

It's startling isn't it. I hope to God that someone proves me wrong. Otherwise it's a stitch up.

I know Asylum Seekers are entitled to the same services as UK residents, but if you 'sponsor' one, does that change the dynamics?

I think the government need to make it clear what the responsibilities are by issuing a clear guide (other than "refer to the website"). Otherwise some people who might well be able to or want to take part in this scheme won't do it for fear of what they might be liable for.

That’s very interesting AreWeThereYet. How are they doing?

From what Michael Gove said to Sophie Rayworth on BBC1 this morning, the Ukranian refugees will have access to the NHS and to state benefits, employment etc.
There will be numerous checks, to ensure hosts are appropriate and refugees are genuine, but no details of how this will be done. A lot more information is needed, but it does not look like the existing sponsorship scheme rules will apply. He also said the refugees will need access to local support. Another financial burden for local authorities, it seems.
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I thought you got £350 per month to help with your bills.
Local council gets £10.500 per person extra for Children plus they get free Health care? they can apply for a job straight away if they want.
That's what I read/heard ..?

Refugees are able to see a Dr or go to A &E and I think it's free to see a Dr in an emergency, but that certain types of treatment are not covered. www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-entitlements-migrant-health-guide

I know that when I looked into being a sponsor for someone overseas if I had done so, I would have needed to have paid their NHS surcharge as they had no recourse to public funds (benefits of any kind) and no entitlement to NHS treatment beyond basic emergency help.

It's startling isn't it. I hope to God that someone proves me wrong. Otherwise it's a stitch up.

We have a Ukranian family staying with us - they are relatives of a Ukrainian friend who married an English man many years ago. Part of the family are staying with my friend, part with us. Apart from the parents (who are staying with my friend anyway) all the family speak English to some degree, enough to explain what they want/need, at any rate.

Much as many of us want to help....£350 sounds generous until you think, hang on "What does it actually mean to "Sponsor" someone from overseas? " and google it.

Basically, anyone who signs up as a sponsor is legally responsible to meet ALL of the refugees needs, including medical bills that you can bet will not be met by the NHS. I don't feel like £350 will go far in the event of medical attention... It's wise to get legal advice and understand the full legal responsibilities of a Sponsor.

If the £350 also has to cover medical bills as well as anything else, then I am sure there will only be a limited number of offers of sponsorship. You could end up with bills running into £thousands. How many on here could afford that?

If you are correct, then I'm amazed that the government has even suggested it as an option. Private healthcare insurance alone could eat up that money.

Pamela, I don't know but I think it's important for anyone considering housing the refugees to check out the small print to make sure that they won't be more out of pocket than they can afford to be.

A few years ago I was asked by someone overseas if I would be their sponsor, but after researching my legal obligations I felt that I could not go ahead.

I’m interested to know exactly what Michael Gove’s plan is. Who will decide if the sponsors are suitable - local authorities? What would the sponsors be required to provide? There are so many well intentioned people who are very willing to welcome a Ukrainian person or family into their home (my daughter for one). £350 is a meagre amount, to my mind. I think that they should attempt to offer accommodation to multiple families, where they can be together, offering each other comfort, support and cultural stability. There are many houses owned by royalty that could be used.

My understanding of the community sponsorship scheme is that although one household houses the person/people then the community helps with some money.
We can’t offer a home but are able to contribute to the expenses of someone who can.
I may be wrong.