Thinking of Hosting

• There are more Ukrainians arriving as Russian action escalates

• Many current hosts are approaching 6 or 12 mths and are unable to extend their offer.

• There is a shortage of rental properties available.

• It can be difficult for Ukrainians to meet landlord and insurers requirements for credit scoring and guarantors.

• It’s a humanitarian thing to do.

• It can be very rewarding

• Something to be proud of. You are making a difference

• Helping your local community

• You can make new friends both in other hosts and guests.

To:

• Provide a safe environment

• Assist with settling into Swindon

• Share local knowledge and advice

• Encourage integration within the community

• Help guests become independent as soon as possible

It is not expected that you will:

• Provide regular services such as babysitting, driving, cooking, cleaning

• Act as financial support or guarantor

• Purchase food

• Be the regular babysitter or taxi (unless you offer). But avoid creating dependencies.

• Register with the Hosts for Ukraine Scheme

• Inform Warm Welcome Team at Swindon Borough Council

• Find a guest (we can provide suggestions on where to look)

• Assist with completing visa application process

• Prepare your home for guests e.g. bedding, TV, think about their spaces; cupboards, wardrobe and drawer space etc

• Think about house rules – what you might think of as “common sense” may be different to how they operate at home.

See our dedicated page on the Hosting process

• Language can be a barrier in some cases - but Apps like Say Hi and Google Translate are very helpful, especially in voice “conversation mode” so neither person has to type

• Different culture and attitudes to running a home, meals, childcare

• Different personalities and values - ALL people are different, even in your own family. You have to agree boundaries and review them.

• Host expectations of their guests - don’t expect lots of gratitude. They are; escaping a war zone, are in a strange country, in a strange house, living with another adult family and trying to speak in a foreign language. There is a lot to navigate and it can be stressful.

• Living together and sharing spaces - mealtimes, living spaces, who has what & when.

• Understanding moods and behaviour. In addition to the above stresses they will be calling relatives still in conflict zones. They can be affected by daily attacks, often not covered by our news.

• Approach to food, hygiene, child-care, housekeeping etc.

• Expect some wear and tear from tenants and you’ll take it in your stride when something gets worn or damaged. Think of it as renting rooms out.

• Thinking of the house rules can be challenging, but everyone runs their house differently. They also need to be aware of what happens if… they get locked out, the electric trips, a pipe bursts, there’s a fire… etc. We have developed a list of things to consider on our House Rules page.

• Really think about who you are taking on and what that might really be like. e.g. Think hard about a family with small kids, if you’ve not had recent experience. 24/7 is very different. Teens have different needs to young kids and want more privacy/independence/friends around.

• Match with like-minded people e.g. same professions, family values, diets e.g. vegetarian

• Have regular communication and weekly reviews on what’s working what needs improving. Don’t let issues fester.

• Agree, review and adapt the house rules, consider how to divide up / use the living spaces.

• Agree a contribution to bills. £25-£30 per earner is a good start point but can be different depending on your circumstances and resources used. (e.g. family of 4 with one worker will be resource heavy)

• Talk to others early for advice before things escalate (incl. SBC). there are also a number of specific hosting Facebook Forums

• Swindon Welcomes Ukraine – Website plus Facebook Group

• Friendly Host Support groups

• Warm Welcome Team SBC

• £350 / £500 Government funding

• Ability to ask for contribution towards utility bills

• Donate Money – we need it to run:

o the bike project – each bike issued costs c.£50 each in parts, helmet, lock and lights

o The website, translation and email service costs £45pm to run

o Events

• Donate any unused bicycle – we will service it

• Volunteer – do you have skills that could help Ukrainians settle into the town?