Many members of our church are in regular contact with refugees fleeing Ukraine. We are receiving news first hand from those experiencing the horrors of the war. It is one thing to read the accounts in a newspaper but it is very different receiving a text message from someone in the country giving eye witness accounts.

But, our prayers are being felt. A friend of Veronica’s wrote after his father was miraculously unharmed when a bomb fell on the building he was in: “I am so grateful to you and to everyone who pray for all my family and for Ukraine. We indeed feel your prayers, support and love. They helped my father to survive yesterday!!! Thank you very much for prayers!!!’

We are sponsoring refugees

Members of the church have also succeeded in arranging sponsorship for Ukrainian refugees under the Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme so that they can make successful visa applications to be able to leave Kyiv and make their way to the UK. Philippa has successfully completed a visa application jointly with a family fleeing Kyiv and they are now on their way to the UK to stay with her under one roof. There have been many other similar kind offers of sponsorship. Thank you!

How does the Homes for Ukraine work?

• The Homes for Ukraine scheme allows people seeking sanctuary with no family ties to the UK to be sponsored by individuals or organisations who can offer them a home, such as a spare room or unoccupied residential self-contained unit.
• There is no limit on this scheme, it is open to Ukrainian nationals and immediate family members of Ukrainian nationals, and the UK welcome as many Ukrainians as wish to come and that have matched sponsors.
• Individuals arriving under this scheme are able to live and work in the UK for up to three years and access healthcare, benefits, employment support, education and other support.
• Sponsors can be of any nationality, with any immigration status, provided they have at least six months’ leave to remain in the UK.
• Sponsors are asked to provide accommodation for a minimum of six months and will be offered an optional ‘thank you’ payment of £350 per month to people who can accommodate one or more household for up to 12 months.
• The scheme opened on Friday 18 March 2022. Either the sponsor or the Ukrainian being sponsored can apply on GOV.UK, completing a single form which collects both sides’ details.

How can you help?

We are bringing together a team who can help make this happen in our local community. Can you help? The tasks are:

1. Act as a sponsor
2. Identify refugees seeking sanctuary.
3. Find willing sponsors in Shrewsbury and Telford and the surrounding area with suitable accommodation. This would involve working with other local churches and organisations who may not have direct contact with the refugees.
4. Assist with the application process completing the forms and assisting with interpreting.

Please follow this link to register your support: