Homes For Ukraine - July 2023 update
We’re obviously biased, but we feel the Homes For Ukraine scheme in Shropshire has been one of success built on a number of people and organisations working astonishingly rapidly and complementarily to create a working support infrastructure from literally nothing.
392 adults and 220 children have found sanctuary with hosts in Shropshire. We still work with 115 hosts, and private landlords and letting agents have been hugely supportive in helping us find accommodation for Ukrainian migrants who have now found their feet in our county and are ready to become truly self-sufficient. The vast majority of hosts have been very flexible and supportive, allowing additional time to allow guests to move on in a planned way.
We only have seven households accommodated in temporary accommodation at the moment, and most have move-on plans with something in the pipeline.
Here are some lived experiences to give a flavour of what the Homes For Ukraine scheme has meant to both migrants and hosts:
“On 15 June 2022 I travelled to Luton airport to pick up Vlad and his girlfriend, after offering an ensuite room in my home in Cleobury Mortimer to support them at this time of crisis, and their lives in the UK began with me clumsily relying on a translation app to get lunch at a McDonald’s restaurant.
The whole community were so supportive and helped in so many ways. Within six months both successfully established themselves, became near fluent in English and are now successfully living independently. They are both in their own accommodation, working full time, contributing to the economy and enjoying life in the UK. Shropshire Council helped financially with Vlad securing a rental property and I continue to stay I touch and help out with advice as and when needed. It has been a rewarding experience seeing the kindness of so many people and the positive community spirit in Shropshire.”
“Even with the goodwill and willingness of the community, maintaining the commitment to the X family from Ukraine has and will continue to be challenging in many ways. However, although asked for belatedly, help and guidance was and now will continue to be sought from the “Homes for Ukraine” team of Shropshire Council.
Louise and her colleagues have shown that when a problem is highlighted there is sound advice, support available and above all encouragement. This has and will sustain us all in the days ahead.”