Will you open your door and host Ukrainian refugees- mothers, grand-mothers and their children?

I am presuming that Poland is not asking for visas at the border.

Just because a tiny minority of people might seek to exploit this situation - as there always will be - does not mean we cannot open our arms to these beleaguered people.

Well said Luckygirl

How shameful to see James Cleverly trying to justify and support Patel's policy this morning . This government doesn't speak for me .

This government doesn't speak for me either, their blustering justifications and lies are disgusting. Two very generous routes are open already allegedly. Yet more predictable lies; one isn't even open yet, the other has allowed 50 of the applicants to have an entry visa. Truly world beating ok, world beating lies, world beating shirking of moral responsibilities.

I was thinking about this all day and have only just noticed this thread. I seen people on the railway station in Poland with signs offering accommodation and wondered what I would do? I like others have downsized to a small bungalow due to my husband's illness but I have given a donation to a local church .If we still had our larger home I think we would.

If Ukrainian refugees were able to get to our local station I would be there holding up a sign offering accomodation but Pritti Patel is very unlikely to allow any Ukranians to get anywhere near our local station.

Radio 4 interviewing a British citizen 30 years here, tax paying successful business man. He drove from Essex to bring his wife and young children to safety from Ukraine. They’re stuck in Calais. They found 3 British ‘officials’ in a temporary shelter. They were offered Kitkats and crisps and advised there is no visa service in Calais. Refugees must go to Paris.

More lies from our government. I’m ashamed and angry

That was on the BBC TV News, Iam. His teenage daughter was too distressed to speak.

It's just disgraceful.

Just reading from a souce I trust on FB (you must make up your own minds) that the "Polish Gov’t have asked for no more gifts in kind but cash donations, and there's stories of vans being turned away at Dover." The ex charity worker writer suggests that:

"You maximise the impact of your support and consider donating to the DEC appeal, if you can, for the following reasons (in no particular order):

"1) The money goes to member charities and local partners operating on the ground in Ukraine and western border countries. These are charities who are experienced in responding to humanitarian crises. They can scale up operations and respond to need as it changes.
"2) DEC supported charities will help refugees fleeing the Russian invasion of ALL nationalities and ethnicities. There have been very worrying stories of discrimination emerging, with people of colour being refused access to relief.
"3) The UK Gov’t will match money pound for pound, doubling your donation. EDIT - The maximum matched amount has been reached.
"4) If you are a UK tax payer, your money goes even further by adding Gift Aid (at no cost to you).
"5) The money spent on essential supplies is often spent locally, adding to the local economy."

I have to admit this doesn't supprise me. Collections of "stuff" are not always appropriate. If we (eventually) do have refugees over here it may be possible to help more directly.

I can understand the request for cash. We took the items listed as needed but our The huge container leaving our Ukrainian centre was full to bursting. We also donated money via the Red Cross. It’s the wanting to ‘do something’ thing

I agree Iam64. I think putting things together feels more like "doing". But I can see the limitation of this at the moment.

Doodledog

That was on the BBC TV News, Iam. His teenage daughter was too distressed to speak.

It's just disgraceful.

My MP has just received an email from me about this disgraceful situation, my second one today. Why is Patel allowed to stand up and tell lies?

I’ve emailed and put a post in my Conservative MPs Facebook page
We need to keep pressing for the uK to take refugees now

Her Maj on tv just now, meeting and greeting. Symbolic and very beautiful fresh flowers on her desk, the colours of the Ukraine flag / she’s such a leader

"British public will be asked to take Ukrainian refugees into their homes" says The Telegraph this morning.

How many are going to take in the Ukrainian refuges? Lots of people on here said they would but on another thread the price of keeping them and everything going up now has made me think saying and doing are two very different things. I gave money but I cant take anyone in.

Peartree

How many are going to take in the Ukrainian refuges? Lots of people on here said they would but on another thread the price of keeping them and everything going up now has made me think saying and doing are two very different things. I gave money but I cant take anyone in.

I think many in the first flush of the war were on here saying they would willingly offer accommodation to refugees, but now it looks like a reality, not so sure if it will happen.

It’s a big undertaking, financially, emotionally, and little end in sight. Minimum 6 months? And after the 6 months? What if the war is still going on, what if Russia has taken over Ukraine? Will they still want to go back to shattered homes and lives? If not, where will they stay here?

Much to think about.

I don’t have room anyway but even if the government gives you money to feed them how would you ever get them to move on? I don’t mean to sound uncharitable but surely it’s a practical consideration as to when you actually get your home back again.

It’s not just food though GSM. I know when my son, DIL and little GS lived with us for just 3 months whilst their new property was being renovated, it was eye opening how much more the bills went up. Extra electricity, gas, showers, laundry….

And they were just two adults and a toddler.

I imagine that we could cope with a parent and an older child, but we would all have to share a bathroom, hopefully that wouldn’t be a problem
We have no shops or buses in our village, but I guess we could get bicycles from somewhere and it would mean that MissOops who often drops in to have a breather from her caring responsibilities would still be ok to visit with her rescue dog who isn’t able to be with small children.
But I would think that urban areas will be at the top of the list, then the country villages second.
Don’t forget though that we would be dealing with possibly traumatised people, who, although they might be grateful, just want to go back home to their families and with awful news coming in daily they will need a lot of emotional support.

It might be a long 6 months, we already cope with a mentally ill family member and it can be trying, worrying and exhausting.

Calendargirl

It’s not just food though GSM. I know when my son, DIL and little GS lived with us for just 3 months whilst their new property was being renovated, it was eye opening how much more the bills went up. Extra electricity, gas, showers, laundry….

And they were just two adults and a toddler.

That's what I've just 'hinted' at on the other thread. It is a financial commitment and if money is tight it could be the source of enormous stress.

I think anyone in that position would do better to donate money or time to a charity helping the displaced persons.

I'm glad, GSM, that you don't have room to offer help in housing Ukranian refugees. What a horrible though to put into people''s heads 'What if I can't get them out after 6 months?!?

In theory it sounds like a humanitarian and kind thing to do. But in reality. I think it would be difficult.

If refugees are put up in hotels then it's not ideal, but at least they would have their own space.

If another family (likely to be women and children), live with you, there are lots of practical considerations.

Who pays for the food, the extra utilities, who does the cooking and cleaning?

Would you be prepared for someone else cooking in your kitchen, or would the householder cook for everyone, and who chooses the food?

There is a rosy picture of grateful Ukrainians being pleased to live with someone, and friendship developing, but in reality, the likelihood is that the Ukrainian refugees will be traumatized, and unlikely to be furious at having been forced to leave their homes.

It doesn't make for a happy families situation.

Putting myself in their position, which I hope I never am, I would hate being forced to live in a stranger's house.

It's likely that language would be a problem too. When we see Ukrainians being interviewed on TV, the ones being interviewed are those who speak English, but the majority will not.

I donate regularly to the Red Cross, so that's my contribution. Sorry if this comes across as harsh, but that's what I think.

Likely, not unlikely.

It is not an easy offer to make, that much is clear. I think we all know that, but many will be willing to do it nevertheless, because any problems that we might encounter are as nothing compared to being bombed out of your home.

I suspect that, in spite of having two spare bedrooms and a spare bathroom, I might not be first choice because I live in the middle of nowhere. I will wait and see what scheme is proposed.

Maizie, what if it’s horrendously stressful, you have traumatised people who don’t speak English and have different customs? Perhaps small children who are having nightmares, wetting the bed etc and you’re not used to having children around all the time? That’s most likely the reality of taking in a family. After a while you are exhausted by it all and there are financial problems caused by the additional expense (not just food but fuel bills). Not a happy state of affairs. If on top of all that you don’t know when you will get your space back and be able to have your family to stay, move house if that’s on your agenda, it needs a lot of thinking about before throwing the doors open.

Throwing the doors open isn’t likely to be the best option. Our town, like many others is a city of sanctuary for refugees. The council, designated staff from relevant agencies including Housing will have a plan in place for refugees. The state has a role here. Volunteers offer a great deal of practical and emotional support