As the nation fell silent to mark a year since the outbreak of war in Ukraine, Derbyshire County Council renewed its appeal for more households to host refugees.
New hosts are being sought for a range of reasons but mostly where households – which have supported Ukrainian guests for considerably longer than the six months they originally signed-up to – can no longer commit to hosting.
Hosts must be able to offer accommodation for a minimum of six months and be able to provide a basic level of support including welcoming their guests to the local area and helping with tasks such as registering with a GP, accessing local and public services and opening a bank account.
Each host household supporting a Ukrainian guest or guests receives a monthly £350 ‘thank you’ payment, with this monthly payment rising to £500 when guests have been in the UK for more than 12 months.
There are now a number of Ukrainian guests who are looking to move into independent accommodation, and private landlords with available accommodation to rent are being sought across the county and asked to get in touch.
Leader of Derbyshire County Council Councillor Barry Lewis said: “When local residents selflessly opened up their homes many months ago to Ukrainians in need of a place to stay, no one could have known that the conflict would be continuing today.
“I’d like to thank each and every host family, past and present, which has helped out as part of the Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme for the kindness and support shown to Ukrainian refugees in their hour of need.
“Sadly, the war is far from over, which is why we need more hosts to come forward while we work with other local organisations as part of the Derby and Derbyshire Resettlement Cohesion and Integration Board to support Ukrainian guests as they become established in the community.
“If you have room in your home and compassion in your heart then I’d urge you to please come forward and email UkraineHosts @ derbyshire.gov.uk”
Around 1,200 refugees arrived in Derbyshire from Ukraine and around 900 are still being hosted.
While some have returned to Ukraine, or moved out of Derbyshire to elsewhere, there’s a growing number of guests who are now employed and living in the county.
The Derby and Derbyshire Resettlement Cohesion and Integration Board includes the county council, local district and borough councils and a range of other public sector agencies and charitable organisations all working together to support Ukrainian hosts and their guests.
The Government’s Homes for Ukraine ‘Sponsor Guidance’ which can be found online at www.gov.uk/guidance/homes-for-ukraine-sponsor-guidance outlines important information and things to think about before signing up to the scheme. Local information is also available on the county council’s website at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/UkraineHosts
You can find out more about the Government scheme at www.gov.uk/guidance/homes-for-ukraine-scheme-frequently-asked-questions
If you think you could commit to hosting, or are a private landlord with available accommodation to rent, contact UkraineHosts @ derbyshire.gov.uk
Anyone who would like to offer support other than accommodation should email ukrainesupport @ derbyshire.gov.uk