Hosting and sponsorship
Being a host is a positive and rewarding experience; helping someone in need, forming new friendships and learning about new cultures. It can also be challenging, so it is important hosts take time to consider this carefully, to ensure that the hosting experiences works for everyone. Think about hosting as co-living, hosts share their private space and guests live in someone’s else’s home. Introduction to Everyday Co-living through Homes for Ukraine scheme | Migration Yorkshire
If you want to offer a home to people fleeing Ukraine, you can become a sponsor as part of the Homes for Ukraine scheme. Please use this link to record your interest.
Homes for Ukraine: record your interest - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
You can read more about sponsorship under the Homes for Ukraine scheme on the government's website.
Pre-arrival
Sponsors can also find their own matches independently and apply with a nominated guest where they already know the person they wish to sponsor. Here is a list of approved organisations that can also assist with matching sponsors with applicants.
Pre-arrival consider your costs, when preparing space in your home. Be aware that thank you payments are £350 a month up to 12 months and then thereafter £500 a month up to 36 months (depending on guest visa).
Use your local council’s’ Homes for Ukraine’ team for support and information.
The more information and knowledge people staying with you have in advance about your expectations around hosting, the better.
- It would be helpful to agree in advance, on two meeting review dates: the first date, can be 'review date' to discuss how the relationship is going, and then the second date, when the 'guests' are expected to leave. This can of course be changed and re-negotiated but knowing things in advance seems to work well for people, as it makes it easier for them to plan when they know what is expected of them.
- It is helpful to set boundaries with our guests, for example, around the use of spaces, house rules and your daily routine. This may feel formal, but it has an impact on the experiences of co-living and can always be reviewed.
- In terms of finances, be clear about who pays for what. For example, food and household supplies.
- If your guest’s English is limited try using a translation app on your phone (for simple translations)
Resources that are available to support sponsors on the Homes for Ukraine scheme:
- One minute guide on understanding Ukrainian culture.
- Practical guide for Ukrainians in the UK and UK Hosts
- Reset’s Homes for Ukraine Sponsor Toolkit has information for hosts and some useful links at the end.
- VITA have a downloadable Welcome Pack which is intended to be completed by the UK host with practical information about their property and the local area, and contains links and phone numbers for the guest.
Try to take some time to read about or attend training on the following key areas:
- Background understanding of Ukrainian history and culture
- How to look after your own wellbeing as a host
- Recognising that we may understand differently ‘what support means’
- Understanding what trauma is and how to support people, who are traumatised.
Post-arrival
Reach out to organisations, who can help you and your guest to integrate and start to feel more part of their community. For example, charities and connect to other Ukrainians/hosts in area.
Review ‘A practical guide for hosts first 6-8 weeks’ which includes how to support guests to access services (eg schools, benefits); and a list of what to do to help guests settle in.
- Give people time to settle and adjust and continue to have regular open discussions, with guests about timelines of hosting. For example, arrange some monthly check- ins (maybe share a meal) and discuss how they are doing and plans for moving on after hosting.
- Think carefully about being helpful. For example, ask the guest what support/advice they may need as unsolicited advice can create tensions.
- If communication and co-living situation is becoming difficult, please reach out to your local council ‘Homes for Ukraine’ team for advice/guidance.
This page is still in development
Some further resources are available to support sponsors on the Homes for Ukraine scheme:
- Trauma Treatment International has top trauma tips for hosting of Ukrainian refugees.
Move on
When it’s time for your guests to leave you, they may ask you for guidance on what to do next. It’s always good to have conversations around ending your support early on.
- Ending your hosting arrangements, and helping your guest with their next steps: Homes for Ukraine - GOV.UK
- Take a look at the guidance on some practical support as your guests prepare for the end of hosting.
Research on Hosting
- Take a look at “We are learning together” Yorkshire and Humber Homes for Ukraine Host Feedback Survey 2023: Quantitative Report.
The aim of this survey was to collect data and information on hosts across Yorkshire and Humber on the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, their experiences of hosting and ways to improve similar schemes in the future. -
This research explores the experiences of everyday co-living through the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
- One year after the launch of the Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme, NACCOM reflects on its impact and the role that hosting has played in providing safe accommodation to refugees from Ukraine.
- A new report by More in Common finds that one year on from its launch the Homes for Ukraine scheme has been a broad success that should be celebrated and learned from. Drawing on public opinion research and a survey of over 1200 Homes for Ukraine hosts.