As millions of Ukrainians flee from the devastation caused by Vladimir Putin’s troops, many people in the UK have come forward to offer their homes. More than 150,000 Brits have signed up to the government’s Homes for Ukraine hosting scheme.
The scheme itself has got off to a slow start, which has prompted some criticism. But the outpouring of compassion and willingness to help has been immense, and prospective hosts are hoping they will soon be able to offer traumatised refugees a roof over their head and some comfort.
Among those keenest to host are people for whom this refugee crisis feels particularly close to home, because it wasn’t long ago that their own parents and grandparents were forced to make a similar escape, fleeing antisemitism in Europe and finding sanctuary in the UK.
The Independent has spoken to Britons whose Jewish ancestors fled either the pogroms in the late 19th and early 20th century or the Nazi regime during the Second World War, and have now signed up to become sponsors under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
Louise Kaye, 64, from Chiswick, London
Both of my grandfathers fled from anti-Jewish violence in Ukraine in the 1890s. They came to England as an unknown country and they did not know what sort of welcome they’d receive, but they made good lives for themselves eventually.
My late husband and I signed up to host in 2019 to take a Syrian refugee, but he fell ill later that year so it didn’t happen. When the Ukraine war started, I suddenly thought of my grandfathers, and thought if I can help − a mother and child or a couple of children – I have the space to do that.
I live alone now but I often have someone else living here. I have a big house and to justify staying here I have to have other people here. I love it. They can have the top floor: a bedroom, a kitchen with a little sitting room, a loo and there’s a bathroom on the floor below which they can use too.
I could just imagine my great-grandparents being in exactly that situation and being absolutely terrified of having their houses burnt down and just knowing they had to flee to save their lives and protect their children.
Lesley Schatzberger, 69, from York
I am the daughter of child refugees from Nazi Vienna. My father came on Kindertransport aged 12 in May 1939. His parents were due to travel on 9 September but war broke out on the 1st. They were taken to Auschwitz and died there.
My mum came with her family. Both my parents came here with very little. My dad had a small suitcase, a typewriter and his piano accordion. He had to build his life from that. They both grew up in the Manchester area and met at a youth club.
I felt like I couldn’t not host. I wouldn’t be alive if my parents were not given sanctuary here. They lost everything, and it’s just unbelievable that this is happening again now. The lessons haven’t been learnt.
We have a basement flat with a kitchen and its own bathroom, so we could host a family. We’ve had students there and have offered to host Syrian refugees before. We have enough space.
The government should be looking at this as an opportunity for people to come to our society and for us to get to know them, to help them – and maybe they’ll help us.
The Independent is raising money for the people of Ukraine – if you would like to donate then please click here for our GoFundMe page.
Jimmy Strauss, 62, from Belsize Park, London
My parents were born in Germany and they were Jewish refugees from the Nazi system. My father left relatively young in 1933. He came and made a life over here. My mother came here with her family in 1939.
I’m steeped in a refugee background. The community where I worship − at Belsize Square Synagogue − was founded by refugees and continues to use a number of their melodies.
Britain was very good to my family. I’ve got room in this house and I feel, and my whole family feels, it is our duty to help these people. I cannot begin to imagine what they’re going through.
We have a spare room with an ensuite bathroom – it could fit an adult and at least two children, possibly more, depending on what is needed.
If we can provide a roof over their head, a bit of security, warmth and some food to begin to alleviate the pain they’re going through, it’s the very, very least we can do.
Katherine Richards, 61, from Hove
My mother was a Jewish refugee and fled Austria at the age of five with my grandmother in 1938. They escaped to Holland on foot at night-time. I know it would have been terrifying. At one point they were caught by the Nazis, but they got away and managed to catch the last boat to the UK.
They wound up in Hertfordshire with no English skills. My mother was the only female refugee in the village. She learnt to speak English from the get-go and taught my grandmother how to speak the language. Then grandfather got here and said: “Now we are here, we’re going to stay here.”
I think about my grandmother every day now. She’d be absolutely appalled. I think the very least we can do is open our border to those fleeing Ukraine. All this nonsense about visas and passports is so preposterous.
I have space for a single person. I’ll make sure they’re warm, comfy, loved and cared for. My mum will be involved too. She wants to help and she of all people will understand their plight.
My family history is not usually at the forefront of my mind, but seeing Ukrainian refugees on TV has really resonated with me. My mother and grandmother had to make a terrifying escape. Ukrainians are going to have similar stories to tell.
The Independent has a proud history of campaigning for the rights of the most vulnerable, and we first ran our Refugees Welcome campaign during the war in Syria in 2015. Now, as we renew our campaign and launch this petition in the wake of the unfolding Ukrainian crisis, we are calling on the government to go further and faster to ensure help is delivered. To find out more about our Refugees Welcome campaign, click here. To sign the petition click here. If you would like to donate then please click here for our GoFundMe page
