Vocal Voices

Well here's a thing.
According to the front page of the Daily Telegraph the great British public are being asked to take Ukrainian refugees in to their homes.
So the illegal dinghy gimmegrants get put up in four star hotels but the Ukranians, who actually are real refugees, don't.

There's a funny sense of priorities.
For myself I can't see me taking in anybody. I don't want anyone in my house that I don't know.

Putting myself in their shoes. What do I need?

Safety
Shelter
Somewhere to put my life back together
Space and privacy to mourn the situation
Depending on the size and number of the people (family etc), some space to expand outside of the suitcase.

Christian Charity is good, but when you open your home and it becomes stressful because it really only answers the top two, then it becomes a problem.

How many people really are able to handle the psychological issue of helping others suffering the trauma of war? One kind act could be more harmful than good.

It's not that I don't have compassion. Just too much experience of the needs of those who are fleeing.

And what about the issue of separation?

A few could be taken in in their ones and twos, and that will mean families split, and those ones and twos will also be scattered about in towns and cities.

They will be placed with people who have big hearts but little Ukrainian language skills. They will have a sense of isolation when what they need is a sense of community. They are already traumatised and that will need to be closely monitored.

It sounds like a good scheme, on paper, but I would prefer that we had something more like "Nightingale hostels" so that those with the shared experiences can create a 'knowing' community.

There are many Ukrainian families here in Gloucester. I should imagine that the few who want to come this far west would go to them? Although I would take in a mother and child with no hesitation.

Kaz wrote:...... Although I would take in a mother and child with no hesitation.

+1, Kaz. We have an available en-suite room, and will be looking to see the full details of the scheme when it's announced next week.

Kaz and Ossie, noble gestures, and well done.

But I remember the two sisters from, I think, Sumy the other night, with three toddlers between them. Neither had good English and their children had none: they need each other. This scheme keeps them safe for 3 to 6 months, but they need each other - close and in contact.

It is a very tough call for all sides.

Workingman wrote:And what about the issue of separation?

A few could be taken in in their ones and twos, and that will mean families split, and those ones and twos will also be scattered about in towns and cities.

They will be placed with people who have big hearts but little Ukrainian language skills. They will have a sense of isolation when what they need is a sense of community. They are already traumatised and that will need to be closely monitored.

It sounds like a good scheme, on paper, but I would prefer that we had something more like "Nightingale hostels" so that those with the shared experiences can create a 'knowing' community.

It was reported this week that there are plans being put forward to house up to 500 asylum seekers in the former halls of residence at what was Staffordshire University’s Stafford campus which closed a few years ago. That’ll take time but surely in the meantime it could and should be used for Ukrainians. It seems ridiculous not to! They’re quite modern buildings, purpose built in the last 20 or so years (on Beaconside Frank, by RAF Stafford).

Where Tim works the main hospital building is no longer fit to be used as wards. It could so easily be used to house several mothers and children. Then they could be together

JoM wrote:It was reported this week that there are plans being put forward to house up to 500 asylum seekers in the former halls of residence at what was Staffordshire University’s Stafford campus which closed a few years ago. That’ll take time but surely in the meantime it could and should be used for Ukrainians. It seems ridiculous not to! They’re quite modern buildings, purpose built in the last 20 or so years (on Beaconside Frank, by RAF Stafford).

Jo, the former Stafford Technology College as was, on the Weston Rd roundabout. Yes, a good use for such places. Same with the hospital, Shell.

Yes, families should be kept together, definitely!

Ossie, nicely done!