Following Russia’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine on 24 February 2022, Bexley has been welcoming Ukrainian nationals through the government funded Homes for Ukraine scheme.

More than 500 displaced Ukrainian nationals have been found places to live in the borough. The majority of those have been placed with Homes for Ukraine ‘sponsors’ who have found space in their own homes.

Following the invasion the Council has also worked with and supported local charities, community groups and partners across the borough to find a number of ways to provide additional help, ranging from language classes, mother and toddler groups to events and employment help.

Clare Chalaye has been part of the scheme since April 2022.

Claire said:  

Having a Ukrainian family has taught me a lot about how much we have in common, that things can change for whole countries in an instant, that there are a lot of kind people in Bexley and that helping others can lead to lifelong friendships. I cannot think of a single negative, for me, to this scheme.

Maryna, Dasha and Ira arrived with a small suitcase between them. Dasha and Ira started school soon after, plus worked online to keep up with Ukrainian school studies.

Maryna found a part time job as soon as she could. Three years later we all still live together. I know that though Maryna makes the best of things here and the girls seem to be thriving, she would go home to Ukraine in a heartbeat if it was safe for her to do so. She misses her husband so much and had a great life in Kyiv.

Dasha got top marks in her Ukrainian school exams and four A-levels at Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School - who were so supportive of her. Ira has excellent English and still works hard for her English and Ukrainian schools - she needs to be able to keep up her Ukrainian studies for when she returns."

Maryna said:

We are extremely grateful to Clare. She let us into her home and into her heart. She has been incredibly supportive all along and three years on we're still in her home. Unfortunately, the war is not over, far from it. People are still dying on daily basis and we are being blamed for Russia invading our country.”

Leader of the Council, Cllr Baroness O’Neill of Bexley OBE said:

We shared the widespread shock at Russia’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine in February 2022. Although the number of Ukrainian residents approaching the Council for support is far less than before – there are still a small number arriving each week who ask for our help.

This important scheme was designed to help those who had fled their own country to feel included at a time when they faced unimaginable danger from the conflict at home. As the conflict continues it’s great to know that the project in Bexley is still helping those who have been affected.”

As part of the Homes for Ukraine scheme the Council has a duty to make regular welfare and safeguarding checks on the existing visitors and continue to liaise with the local groups who provide support. The Council also manage eligibility checks for new sponsors, manage sponsor payments and liaise with other London Council’s over changes to policy.

Find out more about the Homes for Ukraine scheme and the range other support and events available

St John’s Church in Sidcup will be holding a vigil to mark the third anniversary of the invasion on Monday 24 February from 6pm to 8pm and a Sunday Service, dedicated to praying for peace and remembering the suffering on 2 March at 10am.

If you are interested in signing up as a sponsor to host a refugee and their family as part of the scheme email Homesforukrainians@bexley.gov.uk. Let us know how many people you think you could accommodate.

There is guidance available for possible hosts on the government’s Homes for Ukraine website. This explains what is expected and the checks that would need to be carried out.

If you would like to help those caught up in the war in Ukraine the below recognised organisations are listed below:

• The Red Cross have established a Ukraine Crisis Appeal to provide food, water, first aid, medicine, warm clothes, and shelter
• Ukraine Humanitarian Fund UN Crisis Relief - is collecting monetary donations for humanitarian assistance, emergency shelter and relief items like blankets. It will also fund psychological support for refugees
• Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal - is supporting the work of the Ukrainian Red Cross by funding food, water, first aid, medicines, warm clothes, and shelter