An ongoing refugee crisis began in Europe in February this year, after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Almost 3.5 million refugees have left Ukraine since the start of the conflict, while an estimated 6.48 million people have been displaced within the country. Since then, most have gone to neighbouring EU countries and the UK has launched a new scheme to help people host Ukrainian refugees in their homes.
One such family, from London, are preparing to all move into one bedroom so they can squeeze a Ukrainian family into their two-bedroom home. Bridget Schmidt, 44, from Barnes, is looking at living out of one room with her husband and two children so they can provide a safe home for a family of refugees fleeing Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Speaking to My London, Bridget shared that her four-year-old daughter Eloise is on board - and has even donated her Barbies and her favourite teddy bear to Ukrainian children. Bridget said: “My husband was reading about [taking in Ukrainian refugees]. We just had a talk about it [the other] night. What I am thinking is that a mum and one or two kids could have my daughter’s room. If their kids need a separate room they could have the playroom.”
