An online register where York people can offer accommodation for Ukrainian refugees has attracted an excellent response.
It has attracted almost 300 offers after going online just two weeks ago.
York City of Sanctuary, working with City of York Council, launched the register.
It came in response to the UK Government’s ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme, which has a national online registration portal.
York City of Sanctuary’s local register will act as a complementary resource, bringing together sponsors and refugees looking to settle in York and acting as a ‘match-making’ service. People can also register their interest to volunteer help and skills, such as English teaching.
Co-ordinator of York City of Sanctuary Paul Wordsworth said:
The government is requiring a sponsor who is offering accommodation to name a refugee on the visa application and fill it out with both parties involved. Patently this is not possible for the majority of York people who won’t know anyone from Ukraine.
However, with this register, we will put people together, help to make the right match and continue contact and support once they arrive. The support will be consistent, targeted and local, which is what we need.
Cllr Darryl Smalley of City of York Council added: “This initiative will certainly prove to be a head-start on what could otherwise be a slow and difficult process, unless there is a bridge which connects people on both sides.
“I want to thank York City of Sanctuary for their commitment to building that bridge, and I hope as many York people as possible will sign up and offer some form of help and support.”
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