Ukrainian citizens fleeing the war have started arriving in the city as Bristol City Council mobilises support to welcome them.
The council has confirmed 295 Bristolians have offered sanctuary by hosting Ukrainian refugees and 107 visas have been approved under the Homes for Ukraine scheme as of Thursday (April 14). In total 385 Ukrainians have so far applied for a visa to come to Bristol.
It was recently announced that more than 500 Ukrainian refugees are expected to come to the Bristol region, according to local authorities. South Gloucestershire Council has said that 198 refugees are expected in the area - with some already arriving, and North Somerset is anticipating more than 160 adults and children to arrive.
Also see: Portishead and Idles to headline Ukraine benefit gig in Bristol - how to get tickets
A meeting was held at City Hall on Wednesday to invite registered hosts, volunteers and recent Ukrainian arrivals. This allowed people to find out about the support available and begin building relationships with others in similar circumstances.
Councillor Helen Holland, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Adult Social Care and Integrated Care System, said: “We are so heartened and grateful to our residents who have opened up their homes to people escaping the war, offering them a place of safety and peace.
"Bristol has had the City of Sanctuary status for over ten years now and the city’s response is a true reflection of this commitment. We need more people to step forward, and I would urge anyone considering it to find out more. This is a whole city effort and we have seen organisations and individuals from every part of the city working together to do what we can for those affected by the war."
Click here if the survey fails to load
As well as providing accommodation, Ukrainian citizens will also need help finding school places, organising English lessons, and preparing social care services, as well as carrying out the necessary checks to ensure the wellbeing of both the host and guests.
Zelda, who will be hosting a Ukrainian family of five, said: “I used to work in Ukraine, and I have many connections there and so as soon as the war started, I was horrified by what was happening. After helping with some donations, helping with raising money I felt like I would love to make a more tangible difference to someone or to a family. I connected with a lady I used to work with and invited her to come, hoping that the government would fill in the gaps and allow me to do so.”
The Homes for Ukraine scheme, rolled out last month, allows individuals, charities, community groups and businesses to bring people fleeing the war to safety - even if they have no ties to the UK and receive £350 per month as a "thank you" payment.
Helen and Adam, who have started hosting a Ukrainian mother and son, commented: “It feels, even at this early stage, quite rewarding. I also think that it’s really nice within our street community to see just how much readiness and enthusiasm there is.
"Although you have to be in a position, as we are, to provide the accommodation and host someone. There are clearly a large number of people within the community who want to chip in, in whatever way they can and that’s already happening in quite a big way.”
Aliaksandr, a Ukrainian national living in Bristol, who has started hosting his girlfriend and her daughter through the Homes for Ukraine scheme said: “My girlfriend from Ukraine and her daughter came last week to Bristol. It took them 17 days to get through this process. It could have taken longer, but our MP in parliament helped us out. We all had stress about this, we had anxiety because they’ve been living in a refugee shelter. It was very stressful for them.
“I am absolutely so happy that my girlfriend and her daughter are in Bristol, and I am doing as much as I can for them to bring them a normal life, not like what is going on in Ukraine.”
Get the best stories about the things you love most curated by us and delivered to your inbox every day. Choose what you love here
Future support plans also include opening neighbourhood hubs across the city offering English classes and welcome to the UK sessions to new arrivals. As well as arriving in Bristol through the Homes for Ukraine scheme, people can also enter the UK on a family visa.
As this is a Government led scheme, Bristol City Council isn’t notified when people arrive through either scheme and is reliant on host families notifying local authorities. The council said: "If you are a host and your guests have arrived through the Homes for Ukraine scheme, or you have arrived on a family visa, please contact Bristol City Council at bristolrefugeeteam@bristol.gov.uk for help and support."
