Finding homes for Ukraine: report from our meeting

Our secretary, Valerie Booth, reports back from a meeting on 31st March to discuss our support for refugees and asylum seekers from Ukraine arriving in Richmond.

In response to the current crisis, we invited existing and new contacts to join us at the Vineyard Community Centre. We had approximately 20 attendees, most having signed up via our Facebook group.

Three Ukrainian arrivals already in this country, with their hosts, were also present. They very warmly expressed their thanks to this country for all we are doing.

Of the remainder, most were either already in the process of hosting refugees, or had applied to do so.

Harry Ginns represented the Vineyard Community Centre, who had kindly offered us the use of the room for the meeting.

Elizabeth Byrne-Hill gave a short welcome, giving a brief history of Refugees Welcome in Richmond, including our support for Syrian refugees in the Borough. She also introduced the Committee members present, and on Zoom.

Mark Robinson explained how we had set up the Afghan support group, and how we are supporting them. Sue Murray set out her role as Safeguarding Officer, particularly for the Afghan befrienders.

We explained how we are working with the Council, and the support we are receiving from Sarah Olney MP for Richmond Park. (We have since had a meeting with Munira Wilson, MP for Twickenham, who is also fully supportive of our work.)

Sarah is keeping a list of potential hosts in her office, and it was suggested that potential hosts should add their names to this list. We underlined that we are not able to match hosts to refugees.

The following points emerged from the various questions and discussions:

• The need for places for Ukrainians to meet other Ukrainians.
• Harry Ginn from the Vineyard Centre said they are keen to be involved.
• The need for Ukrainians to learn English so they can access work.
• Need to set up an information database.

Decisions

Our role in this situation:
To provide information and support to refugees and asylum seekers from Ukraine and to the local residents hosting them in Richmond.

We have set up a WhatsApp group for those present who have already started the process of hosting, for the purpose of sharing information and advice.

We will set up a database of useful contacts and websites. Hirsh Cashdan has kindly agreed to administer this group, and all enquiries should be addressed to him via this specific contact form. If you have a more general enquiry, you can also contact us here.

We will welcome applications from people volunteering to befriend and support new arrivals from Ukraine and their hosts.

Contact form for Ukraine

Hirsh Cashdan has kindly agreed to administer this subgroup on Ukraine. Please address all enquiries to him.

Select all that apply to you: 

I'm… *

a refugeeseeking asylumreferring a potential clienta landlordkeen to helpliving in Richmondnot living in Richmondnot sure

We need your home address and phone number to enroll you as a volunteer.

If you don’t want to share these details, untick “keen to help”.

If you don’t live in Richmond upon Thames, we might not be able to help.

How can we help?

befriending as a client (get support from RWinR volunteers)finding a new host (as a refugee from Ukraine)finding a new host (for people from other countries)receiving donated household items (tell us about your needs below)renting property as a client (help finding a new home)reporting a safeguarding concern (if you think someone might be at risk)

Safeguarding notice

If anyone is in immediate danger, call 999 (see advice on calling silently or by SMS/textphone).

All our volunteers must undergo certified safeguarding training.

Please don’t report safeguarding concerns by sending us a message below.

Instead use our safeguarding forms if you’re concerned that our volunteers or anyone we work with might have done something wrong and put you or someone else at risk.

Tell Richmond Council if you think adults or children in the Borough might be at risk.

Report here

 

I'm interested in…

befriending clients (help refugees / people seeking asylum)donating funds / fundraisingdonating items to clientsevent organising and supportfinding homes for clientshosting clients in your homeletting property to clientsreporting a safeguarding concern (if you think someone might be at risk)supporting our charity admin and governance as a volunteer

Safeguarding notice

If anyone is in immediate danger, call 999 (see advice on calling silently or by SMS/textphone).

All our volunteers must undergo certified safeguarding training.

Please don’t report safeguarding concerns by sending us a message below.

Instead use our safeguarding forms if you’re concerned that our volunteers or anyone we work with might have done something wrong and put you or someone else at risk.

Tell Richmond Council if you think adults or children in the Borough might be at risk.

Report here

 

Donating items?

Please check the household items section on our donations page before sending your message. Thank you for considering our clients, but we might be delayed in responding to offers that don’t match our their requests.

Are you referring yourself or someone else as a client?Please select one option here…I’m referring myselfI’m referring someone else

Your contact details and message

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Client's last name *

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Client's address (optional)

Client's postcode (optional)

Date of arrival in the UK (if known)

Date of refugee status (if known)

Current immigration status (if known)0 / 2000

Home address *

Postcode *

Property address *

Property postcode *

Subject line *

Message *0 / 2000

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Please use our safeguarding forms if you’re concerned that our volunteers or anyone we work with might have done something wrong and put you or someone else at risk.

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