Emmaus Village Carlton has signed up to the government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme, offering up a three-bedroom house, a one-bedroom flat and three single-person flats at our site near Carlton, Bedfordshire.
The scheme allows people to host Ukrainian refugees who don’t have family ties in the UK, for up to 12 months.
We have already welcomed one family group, with another group arriving soon, totalling 13 guests from Ukraine.
Speaking about the plans, our Chief Officer Angela Foll said: “We’re so pleased we’re able to help in this way and it’s been moving to see people in our local community come together to help with this important project. Our first guests have settled in well and are being supported by volunteers. We’re in regular contact with the other Ukrainian family and are offering support as they make visa and travel arrangements to get here.”
Our Ukrainian guests are being offered rent-free accommodation, in addition to clothing, food and other essential supplies.
We’re really grateful to the many volunteers who have stepped forward to help support us with this. Martin Clitheroe is one of the volunteers working on the project: “A lot of people have put in an enormous amount of work to overcome all the hurdles the government has put up, making it so difficult to get desperate people into the UK. The experience we have gained will help us to advise others.”
Emmaus Village Carlton is now seeking local volunteers who are willing to offer help and support to the Ukrainian families. To find out more please contact [email protected]