This article was written by Damian and published in this week's Herald and Petersfield Post editions:
"As the scale of the humanitarian crisis unfolding across Europe reaches levels unseen since the Second World War, the government has this week launched its Homes for Ukraine scheme.
With the potential to enable tens of thousands of people fleeing the war in Ukraine to come to the UK, the scheme will see households across Britain hosting Ukrainian refugees, offering a lifeline for those who wish to escape the assault of Russian forces across their homeland.
The scheme allows individuals, charities, community groups and businesses to sponsor Ukrainians to come to the UK, including those with no family ties.
Phase One, which will open on Friday 18th March, will enable sponsors to nominate a named Ukrainian or a named Ukrainian family to stay with them in their home or in a separate property.
People here in the UK who have a residential spare room or separate self-contained accommodation that is unoccupied, available for at least 6 months, can register their interest with the scheme via https://homesforukraine.campaign.gov.uk/
And for anyone who wishes to act as a sponsor but does not know anyone personally fleeing Ukraine, they can still register their interest via the link.
The government will be working with charities, faith groups, universities and community groups who have extensive networks across Europe to help match those who want to help with people from Ukraine.
The scheme will offer a thank-you payment of £350 per month to those who can accommodate one or more household, with the payment limited to one per residential address, and for up to a maximum of 12 months.
And for the Ukrainians arriving in the UK through the scheme, they will be able to live and work here for up to 3 years, and access healthcare, employment support, education and English language tuition.
Local authorities will be provided with funding to help support those coming to the UK, to help them rebuild their lives and to integrate into local communities.
Opening up your home to strangers from another country, potentially for an extended period, is not a step many will, or should, take lightly.
Uprooted from their lives in Ukraine and deeply affected by the barbaric assault by Putin’s forces, it will take time for those arriving to adjust to life here in the UK.
This scheme is only made possible by the willingness of people right across the UK to open their arms and their hearts in this way.
Many of course will want to stay close to their homeland and we do not know how many people will want to come as far as the UK, but it is important that we are able to extend all the support we can.
There will be no limit on the number of Ukrainians who can benefit from the sponsorship route, and I know there will be no limit to the generosity and kindness of the British people that will enable thousands of Ukrainians to be given refuge and help to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives.
Thousands have already taken that first step, and more information on the Homes for Ukraine scheme can be found at: https://homesforukraine.campaign.gov.uk/"
