South Gloucestershire residents are being asked to open their hearts and their homes to Ukrainians still fleeing the war on their country.
The council is renewing its call for people with extra space in their homes to consider hosting an individual, mother and child or a family, providing a new temporary home for people escaping Ukraine.
The relaunched Homes for Ukraine campaign will feature a new plea – Open your heart and your home to a Ukrainian – and a series of videos featuring hosts who talk about the positive experience they have had hosting a Ukrainian guest. The first video (www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYd3tN9lOx0) features Jeremy and Alison, from Yate, who have hosted four different families and say welcoming Ukrainians into their home as enriched their own lives.
More than 650 Ukrainians have already been matched with a host in South Gloucestershire since the full-scale invasion in February 2022. Most have gone on to live independently, found jobs and are contributing to our economy and our communities. Almost all school-aged children are in full time education.
South Gloucestershire Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for the homes for Ukraine scheme, Cllr Alison Evans, said: “We know lots of people in South Gloucestershire have already opened their hearts and their homes to help Ukrainians. Unfortunately, there is still a need to find more homes as the war continues.
“So, we are renewing our call to find more hosts. Perhaps you now have some more space in your home, or you have been thinking about it but haven’t yet found out how to become a host.
“Now is the time to help, you can make a difference to someone’s life and provide them with much-needed sanctuary and safety.”
Support is provided by Government funding and hosts will receive £500 a month to recognise their generous contribution and support, to encourage residents to join the scheme and find more homes in the local area for Ukrainians fleeing the war.
Hosts will also receive a comprehensive package of practical and emotional support from the council’s Resettling Communities team. Hosts will receive regular visits and are also connected, if they wish to be, with other hosts, so they can support each other and share helpful, experience-based advice to each other. The council also runs regular events for hosts and guests to get together as a community.
Ukrainian guests are offered holistic, wrap-around support, which includes advice covering access to medical services, benefits, language lessons, employment, and re-housing. There are also drop-in sessions, activities and events available through the council’s community hub network.
If you have a spare room, a liveable annex or a whole house that would be a comfortable space for a single person, a mum and child, or a larger family, then you could be a host. Your guest or guests can share communal space like a kitchen or bathroom with you, or have a separate space.
For more information, including how to become a host, visit www.southglos.gov.uk/ukraine or email homesforukraine@southglos.gov.uk
