As the situation in Ukraine reaches the 80th day of conflict, the Citizens UK resettlement scheme has brought over its first refugee families.
Over 700 beds on offer
Refugees from Ukraine have now started to arrive in the UK via the Citizens UK scheme, a "safer, more streamlined system", designed to provide end-to-end support for those undertaking the sponsorship process. As strategic partners in the scheme, the Diocese of Oxford is set to welcome its first guests in the next few weeks, following a thorough preparation period of screening and matching refugees with their potential hosts.
In March, the diocese pledged to resettle 50 Ukrainian refugees by linking local residents with connections from Citizens UK's international network. Though a slower process than anticipated - the original aim was to reach this target by Easter weekend - the generosity of those living in the diocese has been clear throughout, with almost 400 people offering accommodation in the first week alone and well over 700 beds now available.
Amazing and humbling
The Revd Liz Jackson, Associate Archdeacon for Berkshire, is heading up the diocese's Ukrainian Refugees Co-ordinating Group alongside Hannah Ling, Social Justice Advisor. Speaking about the emotional toll of the conflict, Liz said;
"We have had a busy week speaking to people in Ukraine and the countries along the border who are trying to make the difficult decision to move away from their home country to try and find some sort of normality.
"The reality of this decision is that wives have to say goodbye to husbands and children to fathers and mothers to sons. As you can imagine, many of the calls are tearful and the final decision difficult."
"We have also been supporting hosts and refugees to make their visa applications and currently have 76 hosts matched and expecting guests in the next few weeks. We have been working with deaneries to provide support for the new arrivals: form filling to access benefits, register with GPs and schools, and to begin to attend English lessons.
"It has been amazing and humbling to see how many people want to reach out to support and welcome their new neighbours."
Community organising
Hundreds of residents across Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Milton Keynes have committed to supporting both refugees and host families, and the wraparound support network being created throughout the diocese will be a lifeline to many throughout the initial six-month visa period and beyond.
Earlier this month, over 50 people gathered online to discuss how to best organise support at deanery level, linking helpers with hosts and refugees in need in their immediate area. Supported by Citizens UK, the Community Organising model allows the diocese to not only mitigate the effects of poverty and disadvantage but also to challenge the underlying causes and take action for the common good.
With some Ukrainian refugees already in the diocese through independent hosts, many have already reached out to make the most of the help on offer. Some Ukrainians have joined online English classes, originally set up to support Hongkongers resettling in the diocese. The Hongkongers have greeted their new classmates with an infectious enthusiam, posting Ukrainian flags as their Zoom backgrounds for lessons.
In a recent interview with BBC Three Counties, Bishop Alan Wilson of Buckingham said;
"I can't think of a single page in the scriptures where we're not told to be hospitable and open, to follow the word of God... When we do act in a way that God wants us to, there is blessing in doing that. It brings out the better angels of our nature."
Want to help?
You can still offer accommodation through the diocesan and Citizens UK scheme - every offer makes it more likely we can rehouse every Ukrainian who wants to come to the diocese in a place that suits them. Register for our mailing list and a short form will land in your inbox soon after - thank you!