The accommodation scheme for Ukrainian refugees at an Urdd centre in Wales is to be brought to an end at the end of this month, the youth organisation has confirmed. The scheme was announced in March of this year, following Russia's attack on Ukraine.
In July, First Minister Mark Drakeford visited the welcome centre, which WalesOnline has been asked not to name, to see how Ukrainian refugees were settling in. The single Urdd centre was home to 60 families including 100 children - the youngest of whom was just eight months old. You can read more about their story here.
Since 2019, Wales declared itself a Nation of Sanctuary and the Welsh Government's 'Homes for Ukraine' scheme had welcomed 4,192 Ukranian refugees to Wales by July 19. However it has proved difficult to find all of them long term accommodation.
The Welsh Government opened six welcome centres, such as Urdd Gobaith Cymru, university accommodation and hotels, to offer initial accommodation and support. But the idea had been that they would be placed with a host or move into their accommodation after three months.
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The Welsh Government paused its visa sponsorship scheme in June because of the volume of demand and said additional welcome centres would be opening to accommodate the people arriving. A report by the Senedd research service found that more permanent accommodation was needed in the longer term.
Speaking to Newyddion S4C, the Chief Executive of Urdd Gobaith Cymru, Siân Lewis, said that a lot of schools were ready to return to the Urdd centre by now after a period of not being able to visit. She said: "In terms of the accommodation part, that will come to an end because we have hundreds and hundreds of schools across Wales that are ready to reconnect with the centres.
"We must ensure that we support those kids and young adults in Wales that have been so good over the last period by giving up their accommodation. But we are certainly open to discussion and open to supporting the government as they try and fulfill their objectives as a nation of sanctuary.
"Certainly, we are proud of the work we have been able to achieve with the refugees from Afghanistan and still do with refugees from Ukraine at the centres. It has been a very positive impact and has made a massive difference to the lives of each of these individuals during a very difficult time for them."
She added: "We are still friends with many of those from families in Afghanistan, still maintaining our support and that exactly the intention we have with individuals from Ukraine as they move away from the centres and start their lives somewhere in Wales.
"As for the Urdd, the connection there more or less to some extent in terms of accommodation is clearly going to end very soon and there is a wider responsibility then going out to the local authorities and for the Welsh Government to fulfill the promise of supporting them".
In response, a spokesperson for Welsh Government said: "We are working closely with the Urdd, local authorities and families accommodated at the Urdd to identify appropriate accommodation following their stay at the welcome centre."
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