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Registered for Homes for Ukraine - But how to Make Contact?

jumeriah64
jumeriah64 Posts: 214 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
Afternoon all. Have registered, got the registration details and an email on 'what to do if you know a Ukrainian'.

We do not know anyone under that heading but we are keen to participate. We can help and have resources & space to be able to.

How do we make contact in a credible and proper way? What charities are facilitating this? And has anyone had success (or problems) doing this?

I'm not keen on informal Facebook or social media stuff and indeed don't have any social media.

I can see odd discussions but nothing definitive on how to make contact. And indeed how to prepare in the best possible way?

Interested in any data you have that can help us make proper contact. And indeed any experience or resources on preparation.

Many thanks
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Comments

  • Auntycaz
    Auntycaz Posts: 3,278 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Have you thought of contacting your local council, local newspaper or any of the places who are collecting for Ukraine they may be able to put you in touch with someone who could help you find out.
  • jumeriah64
    jumeriah64 Posts: 214 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Auntycaz said:
    Have you thought of contacting your local council, local newspaper or any of the places who are collecting for Ukraine they may be able to put you in touch with someone who could help you find out.
    Have to confess I had not. What a good idea. I'm less motivated by the informal contact. Whilst not needing (and how could anyone) any guarantee's or over zealous vetting, I'd prefer a mildly formal route.

    But certainly local council is a very good starting point. 

    I'm surprised there are no charity based web sites .... e.g Red Cross or such like?

    Thanks for the solid idea.
  • jumeriah64
    jumeriah64 Posts: 214 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    It may be worth asking your council if there is any help that can be given in this, as well as asking friends and family.

    I have many Ukrainian friends and although nobody has requested to come to the UK (many of our friends are happy in Poland and Romania and wish to return home almost immediately after the war), I wouldn't hesitate to help if asked. We have a spare room and spare cash so to me it would be irresponsible not to, however after a number of consultations with those I know we have decided the best way we can help is not through any government or charity scheme, but significant support in other areas (for which I have very quickly gained the backing of my MP). For others, a different approach will generally be better.

    You can also connect through the EU4UA site to families to discuss requirements. This for the avoidance of doubt includes the UK. https://www.eu4ua.org/?fbclid=IwAR2XDWdIlJZFi7Ayho5cUNur4KanZQd8VZNHdYvokS4OFZhTd2hxe7i3psE

    Charities are, to me, not the most efficient way to facilitate this, as whatever happens you will need to build a fast and personal connection. This entire situation is very dehumanising and this is one of the areas where a human touch is absolutely essential.
    Totally agree. Is our position as well. I am not greatly interested in the financial side (the £350 thing) as frankly speaking, we can do it ... and so should. I'm more concerned to make a good job of the provision, not just to feel 'ok' about it. Also not interested in any scorecard of measuring people before offer. That said, to access a portal that at least provides a basics check is reassuring ... like the one you kindly sent.

    So we are accelerating some physical work on the house already planned, looking at how to set up communications back home .... video / PC / keyboards, mobile, access to TV and radio. And also access to car so that whoever might come, can get to work and also be mobile etc. Even trying to understand about food and tastes and cultural aspects. I hope that does not sound patronising. It's just us trying to do our homework and hopefully provide something genuinely useful, not just that satisfies our conscience.

    I'm just trying the web site site you kindly sent details of. Unfortunately it's not working this second via Google account.

    Can I just ask, do you know of people who have used the EU4UA site with positive results? Also do you know if the UK government scheme recognises the portal?

    Many thanks for taking the time to answer







  • CKhalvashi
    CKhalvashi Posts: 12,129 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    It may be worth asking your council if there is any help that can be given in this, as well as asking friends and family.

    I have many Ukrainian friends and although nobody has requested to come to the UK (many of our friends are happy in Poland and Romania and wish to return home almost immediately after the war), I wouldn't hesitate to help if asked. We have a spare room and spare cash so to me it would be irresponsible not to, however after a number of consultations with those I know we have decided the best way we can help is not through any government or charity scheme, but significant support in other areas (for which I have very quickly gained the backing of my MP). For others, a different approach will generally be better.

    You can also connect through the EU4UA site to families to discuss requirements. This for the avoidance of doubt includes the UK. https://www.eu4ua.org/?fbclid=IwAR2XDWdIlJZFi7Ayho5cUNur4KanZQd8VZNHdYvokS4OFZhTd2hxe7i3psE

    Charities are, to me, not the most efficient way to facilitate this, as whatever happens you will need to build a fast and personal connection. This entire situation is very dehumanising and this is one of the areas where a human touch is absolutely essential.
    Totally agree. Is our position as well. I am not greatly interested in the financial side (the £350 thing) as frankly speaking, we can do it ... and so should. I'm more concerned to make a good job of the provision, not just to feel 'ok' about it. Also not interested in any scorecard of measuring people before offer. That said, to access a portal that at least provides a basics check is reassuring ... like the one you kindly sent.

    So we are accelerating some physical work on the house already planned, looking at how to set up communications back home .... video / PC / keyboards, mobile, access to TV and radio. And also access to car so that whoever might come, can get to work and also be mobile etc. Even trying to understand about food and tastes and cultural aspects. I hope that does not sound patronising. It's just us trying to do our homework and hopefully provide something genuinely useful, not just that satisfies our conscience.

    I'm just trying the web site site you kindly sent details of. Unfortunately it's not working this second via Google account.

    Can I just ask, do you know of people who have used the EU4UA site with positive results? Also do you know if the UK government scheme recognises the portal?

    Many thanks for taking the time to answer







    I am aware of those who are using the site in a local Essex group who have had success, although I have not myself. I'll PM you the group in a minute and you are free to join (you don't have to be in Essex to join).

    A basic tablet with wi-fi connection should be fine, and many people leaving Ukraine have telephones. I am in daily contact now with people both inside and outside of Ukraine. If you have a smartphone, Viber and Telegram are good channels to maintain contact, and many of my contacts use one or both of these.

    You'd have to check, but I believe that NTU channels can be accessed freely from the UK, so as long as you have a TV license and tablet and/or Smart TV, this should be easy.

    I appreciate you are culturally sensitive, however it may be worth going to Tesco (other supermarkets are available) with those you accommodate if you decide this is right for you. Ukrainian food is in general not too different to the UK in terms of ingredients, however is largely cooked differently.

    One notable difference I tend to find is coffee. Polish brand is more similar to that found in Ukrainian homes than British Instant coffee. It's also tastier and often cheaper.

    Give me 2 minutes and I'll send you a PM with the group and some more details.
    💙💛 💔
  • jumeriah64
    jumeriah64 Posts: 214 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I am aware of those who are using the site in a local Essex group who have had success, although I have not myself. I'll PM you the group in a minute and you are free to join (you don't have to be in Essex to join).

    A basic tablet with wi-fi connection should be fine, and many people leaving Ukraine have telephones. I am in daily contact now with people both inside and outside of Ukraine. If you have a smartphone, Viber and Telegram are good channels to maintain contact, and many of my contacts use one or both of these.

    You'd have to check, but I believe that NTU channels can be accessed freely from the UK, so as long as you have a TV license and tablet and/or Smart TV, this should be easy.

    I appreciate you are culturally sensitive, however it may be worth going to Tesco (other supermarkets are available) with those you accommodate if you decide this is right for you. Ukrainian food is in general not too different to the UK in terms of ingredients, however is largely cooked differently.

    One notable difference I tend to find is coffee. Polish brand is more similar to that found in Ukrainian homes than British Instant coffee. It's also tastier and often cheaper.

    Give me 2 minutes and I'll send you a PM with the group and some more details.

    All good steers CK, although the coffee could be a deal breaker! The wife likes half strength Nescafe!  :)  .... I on the other hand would be very happy for some caffeine increase. 

    Sensitive would be a little too generous to say. But we'd prefer to be realistic, practical and prepared.

    And the more Q&A that can be discussed, documented and put on platforms like this one, I imagine the more it would encourage people a little scared of the differences and understanding levels between peoples, to overcome that and act. 

    I spoke to the neighbour about it this morning. He mentioned he had 'thought about it'. We said we were doing it. He was a little caught between the headlights. I don't think he expected it. And then started to mention (in a little bit of moving backwards way) about the problems associated or that might be. We tried to say (less than politely) that 'those people' could be his daughter and child. 

    This is really helpful stuff.
  • CKhalvashi
    CKhalvashi Posts: 12,129 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    edited 21 March 2022 at 10:36PM
    I am aware of those who are using the site in a local Essex group who have had success, although I have not myself. I'll PM you the group in a minute and you are free to join (you don't have to be in Essex to join).

    A basic tablet with wi-fi connection should be fine, and many people leaving Ukraine have telephones. I am in daily contact now with people both inside and outside of Ukraine. If you have a smartphone, Viber and Telegram are good channels to maintain contact, and many of my contacts use one or both of these.

    You'd have to check, but I believe that NTU channels can be accessed freely from the UK, so as long as you have a TV license and tablet and/or Smart TV, this should be easy.

    I appreciate you are culturally sensitive, however it may be worth going to Tesco (other supermarkets are available) with those you accommodate if you decide this is right for you. Ukrainian food is in general not too different to the UK in terms of ingredients, however is largely cooked differently.

    One notable difference I tend to find is coffee. Polish brand is more similar to that found in Ukrainian homes than British Instant coffee. It's also tastier and often cheaper.

    Give me 2 minutes and I'll send you a PM with the group and some more details.

    All good steers CK, although the coffee could be a deal breaker! The wife likes half strength Nescafe!  :)  .... I on the other hand would be very happy for some caffeine increase. 

    Sensitive would be a little too generous to say. But we'd prefer to be realistic, practical and prepared.

    And the more Q&A that can be discussed, documented and put on platforms like this one, I imagine the more it would encourage people a little scared of the differences and understanding levels between peoples, to overcome that and act. 

    I spoke to the neighbour about it this morning. He mentioned he had 'thought about it'. We said we were doing it. He was a little caught between the headlights. I don't think he expected it. And then started to mention (in a little bit of moving backwards way) about the problems associated or that might be. We tried to say (less than politely) that 'those people' could be his daughter and child. 

    This is really helpful stuff.
    You'll be speaking generally with very cultured Europeans who have enjoyed access to Schengen visa free since 2017. Many Ukrainians have visited Poland, Greece etc, and may have even worked abroad previously. Polish culture (where around 3 million Ukrainians live and worked before the invasion) is similar to both the UK and Ukraine and many Poles and Ukrainians have easily felt at home in both the UK and EU in general very easily.

    Ukraine, like all European countries, has its own unique culture and history, but our culture makes us all human. Most people you may speak to under about 40 years old from most former USSR countries will have lived a life very exposed to the 'Western' world. This may be reduced to about 30 in some countries in terms of views. Many Ukrainians born in an independent Ukraine now have families of their own, so Ukraine is not a new country in its own right by any means.

    You may encounter some cultural differences, but these will be very few. I'm as 'at home' in Lviv (visited year round) or Odesa (where I visit most summers) as in the UK and any adaption on both sides will in general come quickly, especially among those born after about 1980, who would still have been children at the collapse of the USSR.

    In short, don't worry. If this is something that you want to do, do it. The first weeks may be the most challenging, but you and any family you sponsor will be rewarded by a new cultural experience and huge community support is at hand for anything you struggle with.
    💙💛 💔
  • jumeriah64
    jumeriah64 Posts: 214 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I should mentioned it before but there is a program on BBC Radio 4 about this very process and it seems how very difficult it seems to be. Lot of frustrated callers trying to help but being hampered by policy .... UK policy.

    In short the government are using the visa system (designed to control movement) to manage a humanitarian crisis. Heavy with paperwork, light on compassion.

    The program can be found here and I think can be played back .... there is useful stuff in there in fairness even if people very frustrated trying to help.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0015lsn
  • jumeriah64
    jumeriah64 Posts: 214 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker

    You'll be speaking generally with very cultured Europeans who have enjoyed access to Schengen visa free since 2017. Many Ukrainians have visited Poland, Greece etc, and may have even worked abroad previously. Polish culture (where around 3 million Ukrainians live and worked before the invasion) is similar to both the UK and Ukraine and many Poles and Ukrainians have easily felt at home in both the UK and EU in general very easily.

    Ukraine, like all European countries, has its own unique culture and history, but our culture makes us all human. Most people you may speak to under about 40 years old from most former USSR countries will have lived a life very exposed to the 'Western' world. This may be reduced to about 30 in some countries in terms of views. Many Ukrainians born in an independent Ukraine now have families of their own, so Ukraine is not a new country in its own right by any means.

    You may encounter some cultural differences, but these will be very few. I'm as 'at home' in Lviv (visited year round) or Odesa (where I visit most summers) as in the UK and any adaption on both sides will in general come quickly, especially among those born after about 1980, who would still have been children at the collapse of the USSR.

    In short, don't worry. If this is something that you want to do, do it. The first weeks may be the most challenging, but you and any family you sponsor will be rewarded by a new cultural experience and huge community support is at hand for anything you struggle with.

    Good advice CK, a little challenge is a minor price to pay in such a circumstance. Indeed I'd consider that a positive life experience. But you are right to mention it. There will be hic-ups.

    I just posted a link to a program on BBC Radio 4 that talks about this very subject.

    It's fair to say a lot of people are trying to do it but that the process of obtaining passport and visa is causing annoyance for those people trying to help. Some folks don't have a passport or they need to renew. Like a lady just said, 'we forgot to renew, we were preparing for war' ..... she has a point.

    The summary seems to be that the UK system currently in place using the already cumbersome visa system (designed to challenge and manage and limit) to facilitate a humanitarian situation. The two are not so compatible as they could be.

    They also illustrated that many folks are are where we are ..... UK government sending a "thank you for registering" email but not much else in way of hard data, procedure, prep etc.

    I suspect we are going to hear more about this on the news over the coming days. Adjustment needed in the inbound management process. The paperwork side needs be made easier to capitalise on folks wanting to help.
  • jumeriah64
    jumeriah64 Posts: 214 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I think we have found some Ukrainian folks we can help! 

    Friends of ours have found a family they are taking in and via them, a family of three has been put in touch with us. We are due to talk shortly.

    But the entry paperwork still confuses me at this point. I think we have to arrange a Visa. I just looked up the uk.gov pages on this and I think we need complete under this heading? ......

    https://www.gov.uk/guidance/support-for-family-members-of-british-nationals-in-ukraine-and-ukrainian-nationals-in-ukraine-and-the-uk#if-you-need-to-travel-to-the-uk-urgently

    If you need to travel to the UK urgently

    If you need to travel to the UK urgently for compassionate reasons you should apply for a visa in the usual way at the nearest VAC if you can travel safely and include clear compelling or compassionate reasons for your visit in your application. You should also tell staff at the VAC about these reasons during your appointment.

    You can upload supporting documents for your application online before attending your VAC appointment or you can have your documents uploaded at your appointment. There is a fee for uploading your documents at the VAC.

    Anyone have any guidance on what to do and how needs to do it? I have a feeling we will need to go and collect the family who are near Odesa. The discussion will hopefully clarify where they can get to. Hopefully a major city like Sofia, Hungary, Warsaw. I guess then we can process paperwork at a UK embassy or similar? 

    If anyone has guidance on that step I'd be very grateful to get that asap. So we can plan help with these folks. We are due talk late this evening. 



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