Temporary holding page for Black Hill Communities Ukraine Group

I imagine that you, like me, have been horrified by what is happening in Ukraine and feel that you would like to help in some way with the huge refugee problem. Like me also you may have thought that there is nothing we can do out here because we are too remote and it would not be practical to take refugees. However, where there is a will there is a way!

A group of people, from Newton St Margarets have got together to either open their homes or to offer help in some other way. So far we have six offers from people who will host refugees in their homes and many others who would like to offer practical support. We hope that others in ‘our parishes’ will feel that they can join this effort.

Anyone can offer to help and if you would like to host and have anything from a spare room to an entire house that you could offer, that would be fantastic! If you would like to help in some other way, and I have in mind offers to drive; to raise funds; to mind the house while hosts take a break; to teach English; to help organise social events for refugees and I am sure there are many other ways that I have not dreamed of, your input would be vital.

The government’s intention is that people should sign up (see below) and it will then be the individual’s responsibility to find refugees using social media. We feel that this is not very helpful to say the least, and we have other irons in the fire that we hope will result in contact with Ukrainians seeking to come to UK. There may be some of you who have Ukraine contacts of your own and I hope in that case you would share that with us.

It will be the responsibility of local authorities to vet prospective hosts and to vet refugees. That may come to pass. Either way our group is in contact with Hereford Council about this.

It is possible to apply either as an individual or as a group, but confusingly, the two application forms on the government website are the same, so if you wish to host please apply as an individual and we will make sure you are included in the group. The name of the group is The Black Hill Communities Ukraine Group.

So, to be part of this group effort either as a host or a helper please contact me.

We will keep you in touch with developments.

Best wishes and I hope you will do what you can to help.

Sue Robinson

To register with the government as a host: https://homesforukraine.campaign.gov.uk