July 15, 2022 9.10 am This story is over 19 months old

More hosts needed after almost 800 Ukrainian refugees arrive in Lincolnshire

Heartening generosity from hosts so far

Over 761 refugees from Ukraine have arrived in Lincolnshire so far, with local councils saying there is a need for more hosts.

According to Lincolnshire County Council, the Ukrainian refugees comes from a “wide variety of stories and background”.

Many are women, some with children, and they have left their husbands and partners back home in the war-affected country.

They also include teenagers applying for university places and along with software developers, lawyers, senior managers, architects, scientists and a TV news presenter.

A spokesperson said: “Some have already started working in the UK and some continue to work remotely for their employers in Ukraine.”

“Most of them are desperate to return to their lives, careers and homes as soon as it is safe to do so.”

According to a data released by the county authority, 120 learners have taken places in more than 30 courses organised in partnership with Lincoln College across Stamford, Grantham, Bourne, Boston, Market Deeping and Lincoln, with more than 120 learners so far.

The college said there was “very little drop-off” with 13 learners already having taken their English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) exams.

Further partnership working with voluntary and community groups has also attracted a waiting list for the new academic year in August.

Lincoln College Group Director of Communications James Newall said: “We are delighted that we are able to help in any way possible.

“Clearly people are arriving in the UK in extremely challenging circumstances and it’s vital we give them as much support as possible to integrate into our communities.”

The Lincolnshire Resettlement Partnership, which includes councils and public sector agencies, continues to appeal for more hosts to support the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

They are looking for help supporting guests whose original accommodation hasn’t worked out, or where hosts’ personal circumstances have changed, meaning they are unable to continue offering the use of their home.

North Kesteven District Council leader Councillor Richard Wright, the Lincolnshire representative on the East Midlands Migration Board, said: “The generosity shown so far by Lincolnshire hosts, opening their homes to those fleeing the war in Ukraine, has been extremely heartening.

“We want to offer them our sincere thanks in offering their guests such a warm welcome to our county.”

Prospective hosts need to be able to offer accommodation for a minimum of six months, and successful applicants are offered a £350 per month ‘thank you’ payment.

For more information, or to apply, email: [email protected].