How to check potential Ukrainian refugees

[Where to next?]

I recently registered with a charity to accommodate Ukrainian refugees. I found the details of the charity on one of the Fun threads but can’t find the original discussion so can’t add my questions to the thread.

Following the registration last week, I’ve been contacted today by a couple who would like to take us up on our offer. I’m going to commence discussions with them to find out more about the couple but was just wandering if any other Funsters have also registered and if they’ve had any contact from potential refugees. If so, can you share your experience such as what questions you went through to ensure they met your/the government‘s requirements. I feel awful questioning their authenticity but if we’re going to let strangers into our home when there will be times we’re away in the MH, we need to be as comfortable as we can be that everything is above board and they’re not just opportunists. One concern is that their Facebook and Instagram profiles look like they're enjoying a comfortable life, but of course the photos and posts will have been in the past I.e. before the invasion commenced. Another question is why the 25 year old male (they’re a couple with the partner being 26) is looking to flee the country rather than stay and defend).

Please don’t respond questioning why we’re making the offer but any constructive advice based on your thoughts and experience would be most helpful.

 

[Gellyneck]

Many thanks Gellyneck. (assuming this works!)

Oh so close!
Yip I got your post quoting mine and a notification that you had responded.
But if you had put a @ in front of my forum name..........................

 

[Offagain]

I recently registered with a charity to accommodate Ukrainian refugees. I found the details of the charity on one of the Fun threads but can’t find the original discussion so can’t add my questions to the thread.

Following the registration last week, I’ve been contacted today by a couple who would like to take us up on our offer. I’m going to commence discussions with them to find out more about the couple but was just wandering if any other Funsters have also registered and if they’ve had any contact from potential refugees. If so, can you share your experience such as what questions you went through to ensure they met your/the government‘s requirements. I feel awful questioning their authenticity but if we’re going to let strangers into our home when there will be times we’re away in the MH, we need to be as comfortable as we can be that everything is above board and they’re not just opportunists. One concern is that their Facebook and Instagram profiles look like they're enjoying a comfortable life, but of course the photos and posts will have been in the past I.e. before the invasion commenced. Another question is why the 25 year old male (they’re a couple with the partner being 26) is looking to flee the country rather than stay and defend).

Please don’t respond questioning why we’re making the offer but any constructive advice based on your thoughts and experience would be most helpful.

I looked at the organisation you mentioned but it seems to be purely a platform for refugees to contact prospective hosts. No checks etc on either side. So I went through the official registration on the government’s website instead.

Homes for Ukraine: record your interest

Record your interest in becoming a sponsor as an individual or organisation if you want to give people fleeing Ukraine a place to stay.

homesforukraine.campaign.gov.uk

 

[DavidG58]

DavidG58 I know you are opening up your home and offering sanctuary to refugees from Ukraine but I wondered if you know if you have to be vetted?

We are aware that both incoming and receiving parties will be vetted, no idea how detailed that will be

Don’t think we have anything to hide Bev holds DBS for guides I had them as a school governor until 2015

They will have to go back to my teens to find anything even a bit dubious even then nothing more than a dodgy driving record

We are going through the ‘what exactly are we committing to’ thought process, we have no idea who they are, but have shared FB profiles so unless they are total fraudsters, both families in our case, with their friends going to another house in our town, we have got to take what we hope is a small risk to be able to help

Both families have now moved to Poland with their whole world in one suitcase

We are Hoping to help them fill in the alleged 40 page visa application , due to available from today but still not yet online which is the only option. We are hoping there are U.K. people in Poland to help fill in a form in English

It does seem the U.K. government are making it hard, but maybe saving a few wronguns getting in

 

[big map]

We are aware that both incoming and receiving parties will be vetted, no idea how detailed that will be

Don’t think we have anything to hide Bev holds DBS for guides I had them as a school governor until 2015

They will have to go back to my teens to find anything even a bit dubious even then nothing more than a dodgy driving record

We are going through the ‘what exactly are we committing to’ thought process, we have no idea who they are, but have shared FB profiles so unless they are total fraudsters, both families in our case, with their friends going to another house in our town, we have got to take what we hope is a small risk to be able to help

Both families have now moved to Poland with their whole world in one suitcase

We are Hoping to help them fill in the alleged 40 page visa application , due to available from today but still not yet online which is the only option. We are hoping there are U.K. people in Poland to help fill in a form in English

It does seem the U.K. government are making it hard, but maybe saving a few wronguns getting in

I know you two would be fine, but I am concerned for the Ukrainian refugees who may be exploited or end up in modern day slavery.

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[Where to next?]

I looked at the organisation you mentioned but it seems to be purely a platform for refugees to contact prospective hosts. No checks etc on either side. So I went through the official registration on the government’s website instead.

Homes for Ukraine: record your interest

Record your interest in becoming a sponsor as an individual or organisation if you want to give people fleeing Ukraine a place to stay.

homesforukraine.campaign.gov.uk

That’s exactly what I’m concluding. At the time of registering on this particular charity website, the government website wasn’t up and running. I’ve since registered with the government website and hope that this route will be a ‘safer’ option all round.

 

[Tonks]

Personally i don't see what difference gender makes. Not everyone is cut out to be a fighter and there could easily be women who are better suited to remaining to fight if they chose than forcing certain people to remain who would be useless or a pacifist.

Nothing to do with gender.
It's to do with the fact that conscription aged men (ie those 18-60) are currently not allowed to leave the Ukraine, under their own Government's rules since the invasion. So a young couple seeking sanctuary in the UK will inevitably and correctly have some additional questions to answer. Of course it's possible that the man was not in the Ukraine at the time of the invasion, or since.
And there has been plenty of evidence of women fighting, both from within the Ukrainian armed forces and from the civilian population.

 

[DavidG58]

It would appear the visa application is

Written in English

Very long

Overly complicated

Has to be filled by the applicant

We are getting screen shots asking for help with what to fill in

They have photos of passports and driving licence, NI numbers all things I am sure we would be advised never to give out online . Yet our government is asking Ukrainian refugees to ask us to provide

They Now need our local council and how long we have lived at our address

Page 18 at least can’t be much more to go

 

[DavidG58]

Mum has finished her application got a submission reference now been told to repeat for both of her children

For heavens sake and you can’t just change the name at the top of the form , it took 5 hours to do mums form

We can’t do it for them , but they are just getting on with it, it’s me who is moaning on their behalf

Looking like flights in will be the best option, some are FOC we are then very happy to allocate the money we might have spent going over to get them towards setting them up with new clothes etc

 

[Helen Ariel]

It would appear the visa application is

Written in English

Very long

Overly complicated

Has to be filled by the applicant

We are getting screen shots asking for help with what to fill in

They have photos of passports and driving licence, NI numbers all things I am sure we would be advised never to give out online . Yet our government is asking Ukrainian refugees to ask us to provide

They Now need our local council and how long we have lived at our address

Page 18 at least can’t be much more to go

Not suprised in the slightest that the government are making this overly difficult whilst appearing to be generous on the outside.

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[pappajohn]

Looking like flights in will be the best option, some are FOC

Should requisition P&O ferry's to bring refugees here free of charge.
They should load them to the gunwales like they did when making them troop ships in WW2.
2hr turn around 24 hours a day

 

[LesW]

Not suprised in the slightest that the government are making this overly difficult whilst appearing to be generous on the outside.

Is it the government or the civil serpents?

 

[Abacist]

Mum has finished her application got a submission reference now been told to repeat for both of her children

For heavens sake and you can’t just change the name at the top of the form , it took 5 hours to do mums form

We can’t do it for them , but they are just getting on with it, it’s me who is moaning on their behalf

Looking like flights in will be the best option, some are FOC we are then very happy to allocate the money we might have spent going over to get them towards setting them up with new clothes etc

Unbelievable if it wasn't true. You think a mother would be a able to append a sheet for each "minor" (child) with their personal particulars cross referenced to the Mother's form. Trust the Civil Service to make a mountain out of a mole hill!

 

[MattR]

Is it the government or the civil serpents?

It can't be either: Apparently the UK has an unparalleled record” of welcoming refugees

 

[Outdoors Dad]

Maybe the young man has an underlying health condition that would make him more of a liability for military.... diabetes or similar

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[Chris]

I think what you are doing is great DavidG58

 

[MattR]

This is an interesting read but disappointing in what progress seems to have been made...

Questions mount amid eagerness in UK to help Ukraine refugees

Would-be hosts still awaiting details, while some charities describe government efforts as shambolic

www.theguardian.com

 

[DavidG58]

This is an interesting read but disappointing in what progress seems to have been made...

Questions mount amid eagerness in UK to help Ukraine refugees

Would-be hosts still awaiting details, while some charities describe government efforts as shambolic

www.theguardian.com

It was an interesting read, written before the sponsor visa system went live, I think it would be a tougher read today

I think most of the 125K people who registered with the U.K. government, offering a place to a ‘stranger’, expected as we did to be matched with someone , not left to find someone

We got lucky and hope our families think so as well, although luck isn’t a good word to use for people in their position

 

[Jenben]

We got lucky and hope our families think so as well, although luck isn’t a good word to use for people in their position

It’s such a leap of faith and trust for all involved.

 

[MattR]

It was an interesting read, written before the sponsor visa system went live, I think it would be a tougher read today

I think most of the 125K people who registered with the U.K. government, offering a place to a ‘stranger’, expected as we did to be matched with someone , not left to find someone

We got lucky and hope our families think so as well, although luck isn’t a good word to use for people in their position

It is so sad that the system remains so slow and difficult and helps explain why so many refugees stuck in hotels etc. remain there despite offers of help from people willing to host them.

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[dryad]

what a kind and thoughtful community that are pulling together, hope others can do the same..

Britain's kindest village opens its doors to fleeing 50 Ukrainians

North Moreton, Oxfordshire, has only 350 residents but has offered homes to 50 Ukrainian refugees - a move which if successful would see the village become Britain's most scenic refugee camp.

www.dailymail.co.uk

.

 

[DavidG58]

what a kind and thoughtful community that are pulling together, hope others can do the same..

Britain's kindest village opens its doors to fleeing 50 Ukrainians

North Moreton, Oxfordshire, has only 350 residents but has offered homes to 50 Ukrainian refugees - a move which if successful would see the village become Britain's most scenic refugee camp.

www.dailymail.co.uk

.

That’s awesome and importantly means the Ukrainians will feel less isolated which was my concern and why we are so pleased that we have two friends coming over together, although they will be a 10 minute walk away

 

[DavidG58]

Just realised we have not had any notification from our government that a visa has been applied for to stay at our address

Despite having phone number, email address, full postal address (maybe they will write to us )

Something is really lacking somewhere

 

[Peter and Julie]

I recently registered with a charity to accommodate Ukrainian refugees. I found the details of the charity on one of the Fun threads but can’t find the original discussion so can’t add my questions to the thread.

Following the registration last week, I’ve been contacted today by a couple who would like to take us up on our offer. I’m going to commence discussions with them to find out more about the couple but was just wandering if any other Funsters have also registered and if they’ve had any contact from potential refugees. If so, can you share your experience such as what questions you went through to ensure they met your/the government‘s requirements. I feel awful questioning their authenticity but if we’re going to let strangers into our home when there will be times we’re away in the MH, we need to be as comfortable as we can be that everything is above board and they’re not just opportunists. One concern is that their Facebook and Instagram profiles look like they're enjoying a comfortable life, but of course the photos and posts will have been in the past I.e. before the invasion commenced. Another question is why the 25 year old male (they’re a couple with the partner being 26) is looking to flee the country rather than stay and defend).

Please don’t respond questioning why we’re making the offer but any constructive advice based on your thoughts and experience would be most helpful.

25 year old male wouldn't be let out of Ukraine.

 

[Yorick]

This is informative

Ukraine crisis: Calls for clarity on refugee matching process

Charities say they've been "deluged" with calls as they await further detail from the government.

www.bbc.com

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[Where to next?]

25 year old male wouldn't be let out of Ukraine.

Unfortunately Peter and Julie, you’re not entirely correct. I’ve been in discussions with the couple that have shown interest in our offer and they left Ukraine last week. Despite the conscription policy it appears that males can pay to leave the country which is what they’ve done. (Whether this is allowed or achieved viaan unofficial payment to corrupt officials I don’t know). This opens up another question for us in terms of their values. Why aren’t they staying behind to help the cause? They are both doctors as well which begs the question why they aren’t staying to help especially as they have extremely valuable skills. We’re still keen to help but finding the right refugees (and their reason for leaving Ukraine) as well as working through the correct processes is proving more challenging than we anticipated. We will keep trying though.

 

[Peter and Julie]

Unfortunately Peter and Julie, you’re not entirely correct. I’ve been in discussions with the couple that have shown interest in our offer and they left Ukraine last week. Despite the conscription policy it appears that males can pay to leave the country which is what they’ve done. (Whether this is allowed or achieved viaan unofficial payment to corrupt officials I don’t know). This opens up another question for us in terms of their values. Why aren’t they staying behind to help the cause? They are both doctors as well which begs the question why they aren’t staying to help especially as they have extremely valuable skills. We’re still keen to help but finding the right refugees (and their reason for leaving Ukraine) as well as working through the correct processes is proving more challenging than we anticipated. We will keep trying though.

Pity you can't stipulate Women and children only and Sorry NO Draft Dodgers!

 

[haganap]

I joined a facebook group yesterday in the hope of being able to offer two rooms. Some of the stories are harrowing from people looking to be sponsored.
Nikki and I agreed we would take in a mother and a child/ren along with a dog if needed. There's a few that meet the criteria but many do not want to come to a lovely Cheshire village and want to go to London. So many are well educated who had good jobs back home. They are offering to work etc, they certainly seem to be wanting to give something back and be greatfu..
Here's the problem, the process is laborious to say the least. If anyone can offer advice please do so.

I also contacted the a Local Authority in Wales where I have a nursing home. one of the stand alone units we have closed to refurb as it's been closed since the pandemic and occupancy issues. After discussions with the other directors I told them that we would delay the refurb and offer 21 ensuite rooms to families fleeing the conflict. That was Monday, I'm yet to hear back, I even told them it would be rent free, and after heat and light the families could keep what was left to get themselves looked after.

fair play to anyone that has managed to navigate the process, but for me... it's long winded and I think the government is simply playing lip service to it all and using it as a political stunt

 

[SIFTA SAM]

I joined a facebook group yesterday in the hope of being able to offer two rooms. Some of the stories are harrowing from people looking to be sponsored.
Nikki and I agreed we would take in a mother and a child/ren along with a dog if needed. There's a few that meet the criteria but many do not want to come to a lovely Cheshire village and want to go to London. So many are well educated who had good jobs back home. They are offering to work etc, they certainly seem to be wanting to give something back and be greatfu..
Here's the problem, the process is laborious to say the least. If anyone can offer advice please do so.

I also contacted the a Local Authority in Wales where I have a nursing home. one of the stand alone units we have closed to refurb as it's been closed since the pandemic and occupancy issues. After discussions with the other directors I told them that we would delay the refurb and offer 21 ensuite rooms to families fleeing the conflict. That was Monday, I'm yet to hear back, I even told them it would be rent free, and after heat and light the families could keep what was left to get themselves looked after.

fair play to anyone that has managed to navigate the process, but for me... it's long winded and I think the government is simply playing lip service to it all and using it as a political stunt

It will be a long winded government process. Unfortunately both the government and the civil service only operate and recognise a one speed system, convenient to them and their working practices, whatever the urgency may be.

 

[suavecarve]

I have found our refugees, they are 40 something granny, 27 year old daughter/mother and 2 year old girl.
We intend to fill the form out on Wednesday when I should have a Ukrainian national who I will commandeer from the Uni I work at.
From what I can work out so far, they need to scan their passports and have a record of some description that they lived in Ukraine on 1st January.
Unless anyone knows different, I think we have it covered for the form filling, but willing to take advice (such as does the 2 year old need a passport or have to go to a vaccination centre)
Our cunning plan is to go on holiday on Saturday for 12 days and when they get their letter of acceptance, they will leave, they will take 2 days just to get across Ukraine before trying to get through to Poland then make their way to Belgium where we are on holiday. Then we can bring them back by just adding them to our Eurotunnel ticket.

I was probably on the same FB group as haganap with similar experiences and views. (Be careful of the dog as I think they have to Q3 and half months ! though believe it is free)
If i can get clever I will screenshot each page of the visa filling out process. (I have just put this request onto the FB page)

To clarify some of the males coming over, if they have a disability, or more than 3 children they are exempt. Personally, a male coming over to me suggests they may not go back so much happier with 3 generations of females, but I understand it should not be the correct thought process, just an honest one.

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[suavecarve]

Just realised we have not had any notification from our government that a visa has been applied for to stay at our address

Despite having phone number, email address, full postal address (maybe they will write to us )

Something is really lacking somewhere

I ve just sent my family the link, so they can peruse it, maybe get a little help, is there a bit we fill out ? I have filled out the original "I want to be registered part"