It has been one year since Russia invaded Ukraine. It was February 24 2022 when president Putin launched the invasion of the neighbouring country from the north, east and south, sending in around 20,000 armed soldiers.
Putin claimed the 'military operation' was to 'protect people' in the Russian-speaking region of Donbas, who, he alleged, had been 'facing humiliation and genocide perpetrated by the Kyiv regime.' It was the largest military offensive in the continent since World War II.
Tens of thousands of civilians were killed, with many more injured and millions left with no other option but to flee their homes, clutching tightly on to their helpless young children and just a few belongings that had been quickly thrown into a bag. Russian airstrikes saw buildings that were once happy homes, shops and hospitals, reduced to rubble in major cities like Mariupol, Bila Tserkva and Kyiv.
But, there was much solidarity from the UK. In Greater Manchester, a specialist fund 'The MCR Ukraine Welcome Fund' was one of many efforts to help the families desperately fleeing the raging war, giving those who had trekked the treacherous journey overseas small grants for essential items and advice.
The UK also launched the 'Homes for Ukraine' scheme. To date, it has helped more than 100,000 refugees settle in hosts' homes, with the Government offering homeowners £350 a month for the first 12 months. It was hoped the scheme would give Ukrainian refugees the chance to find work, earn a wage and become self-sufficient, before moving on and settling permanently in the UK.
But what's been like for the hosts? One year on from the invasion which cast a shadow over Europe, the M.E.N finds out.
READ MORE 'I was told my toddler just had a infection - the truth was horrifying'
It's almost been a year since mum Lisa Raynes and her partner decided to sign up to the scheme and offer their spare bedrooms out to a family desperately fleeing the ongoing war. Within weeks, they had two refugees living in their Gatley home.
Angelika Zonzova and her husband Valerii moved up to Greater Manchester from London while their sons, Dorian, 17 and Camuil, 15, temporarily found refuge in the Czech Republic before their visas were approved and they eventually moved in too. The family, along with Lisa, her husband and their three children, were all living together in the five-bedroom semi.
They lived together until early October last year, when Angelika and Valerii managed to secure a new house, relocating to Blackburn in Lancashire, where they had joined a Russian-speaking church.
Reflecting back on the experience on the one-year anniversary of the war, which is still raging on, Lisa said she has no regrets - but that there were some significant challenges and things that she wishes she would have known would arise.
'As a family, it was putting us under significant strain'
Along with dealing with an unexpected rise in the cost of household energy bills, a lack of space in their home and increased strain on her architecture business, Lisa and her partner spent much of their time helping secure jobs for Angelika and Valerii and supporting them to build a new life here in the UK, without much guidance. Lisa struggled to find a private landlord willing to take the family on.
"The six-month term was coming up in November time and we were keen to help them find somewhere and get set up on their own," Lisa said. "In October they managed to secure some accommodation and moved out of our home. We had been asked if we wanted to extend the scheme by the council, but we realised as a family it was putting us under significant strain, so thought it was the right time to draw a line and use it as an opportunity to help them get set up independently.
"Angelika and Valerii were both earning. I started off by helping them to get jobs and used my contacts to help get them in work, which was amazing - but very time consuming. It would have been useful to have a liaison from the council in helping them get set up with work, the language, schools, doctors, dentists and all of their needs. Instead, it was sort of just given to us to do, which was quite tricky.
"It was a challenge for us. We had a mum and dad and two teenagers. It came to a head when they were trying to find somewhere else to live, and had to prove their financial stability. It was almost impossible to do that when their records were everywhere, they hadn't been in jobs long or had a guarantor or the paperwork. But also, trying to explain that to a family who didn't speak much English and had a different culture was extremely challenging.
"There wasn't much support there for us. There was a housing officer at the council but they were facing however many households they were trying to rehome, as well as look after Stockport's current housing lists and the homelessness problem here."
The Homes for Ukraine scheme was launched by the Government on March 14 last year, allowing people living in the UK to sponsor a named Ukrainian national or family to come to live with them, providing their home was suitable. At the time, a government spokesperson said more than 130,000 Britons had registered interest in the scheme.
Research from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) found that the rising cost of living and lack of affordability was cited by 23 per cent of hosts who do not want the arrangement to continue beyond six months.
At the time, Lisa said the £350 a month her family was given to help host the refugees was quickly spent - with the shower regularly running, rising bills and an increase in the amount of food being bought.
'Battling through red tape for yourself in the UK is hard enough, but trying to do it when you can't speak the language is a huge challenge'
"I do think it was a fantastic scheme by the Government and I think they were surprised at what a positive response it had," Lisa said. "It is the first time the UK has done anything like it and so many people were open to helping. I had an amazing response from the majority of people, one of my clients who came over here as a refugee was in tears.
"It was definitely fun trying to help this family find their way, but there were challenges that were time consuming and difficult. Battling through red tape for yourself in the UK is hard enough, but trying to do it when you can't speak the language and set up a whole family is a huge challenge.
"For us, it just felt like it was the right time for us to do it. My son had just gone off to university so we had a couple of unoccupied bedrooms. When my son came back from uni for the summer, for a short period we made it through, but then it became really apparent that we were short on space.
"We really felt like we helped an entire family get set up, escape the horrific situation in Ukraine and have really played our part. It took up a lot of headspace supporting them so much, which detracted from my focus of running a business for around six months. I think everyone is so pleased that we did this. all the children gave up their spaces to move bedrooms and my son Alfie enjoyed having friends and learning Russian."
In Chorlton, Richard Addison also signed up to the scheme. A single dad, he had ample space, and became a host, welcoming in Maryna, 36, and her son Vlad, now 16. They arrived in the UK in June, after fleeing Boryspil, in the Kyiv region of Ukraine. For two months they slept on church floors, hoping that the fighting would ease and they would be able to return home.
Maryna and Vlad are now both working, earning a salary and are still living with Richard. Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Richard said he is eager for the pair to find accommodation elsewhere by June, which will mark a year since they emigrated to the UK.
Richard, who is also involved with running the South Manchester Ukrainian host and guest support Facebook group, wanted to help out after seeing the scenes of utter devastation in Ukraine on the news. That, and also as a 'finger up to that c*** Putin.'
'It isn't always that easy living with someone in your house - but they have a lifelong friend in me if they ever need a hand'
"They're still living with me, and I've told them I would probably like to help find them accommodation by June time," Richard says. "There have been a few issues - nobody expected it to go on this long, and the money the government gives to the hosts feels pointless. The money would be better if it was given directly to the Ukrainian families to help support them in paying rent," he said.
"It has fallen on the hosts to do everything really. It's hard for them to rent because most are in minimum wage jobs and you're talking over £1,000 for a flat in south Manchester. The issue is landlords usually need proof of salaries which is difficult to get and also a guarantor.
"This is an ongoing situation and nobody knew where would be after the invasion, but I hadn't realised how bad the rental situation was over here. Many hosts are coming to their six month or year-long limit now and there aren't any plans to help them. Some people could face going into temporary homeless accommodations which are just awful and cost the councils and taxpayers a fortune.
"Of course there are cultural differences, and it isn't always that easy living with someone in your house. I've been lucky and get on with them very well, they have a lifelong friend in me if they ever need a hand. But, I have lost the use of my kitchen and after 12 months that can be difficult.
"I realise those problems are small fry, especially when these people have lost their homes. For me, it was a gut reaction to help after seeing the invasion. It triggered something within me. I had the opportunity to help and a house with space. If I could help a mum and a young son then thats a finger up to that c*** Putin."
A Manchester City Council spokesperson said: “Our residents who opened their homes to support our friends in Ukraine deserve a debt of thanks. Their spirit of generosity has ensured people fleeing war in their own country had a roof and a warm welcome. This is not an easy ask and we know those who have had their help are forever grateful.
“Councils across the UK were asked to deliver the Homes for Ukraine programme on behalf of the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), which asked people to offer their homes to Ukrainian guests for at least six months. Manchester has welcomed 368 such guests to date, and we know that some will now need to find a new host home as their original hosts commitment period is coming to an end.
“The Council has supported our Ukrainian guests and host households throughout, including ensuring payments are provided to both guests on arrival – and to hosts to ensure they are not out of pocket. The Council has also supported guests with a wide range of services, including welfare support, housing checks, school admissions help, housing options, skills and training – and alongside English language lessons. Guests are also allocated a support worker and given bi-weekly welfare checks.
“However, if anyone is experiencing any issues, we would urge them to contact the Council using the dedicated support line or email address.”
A spokesperson for Stockport Council said: “Stockport has been and continues to be incredibly welcoming, with hosts opening their hearts and homes to Ukrainian evacuee guests. We remain determined to do everything we can to support our wonderful and courageous friends from Ukraine.
“The Homes for Ukraine programme has undoubtedly presented challenges for Councils nationwide. Still, we are very proud that the feedback on Stockport's support has been overwhelmingly positive. As part of the programme, Stockport Council carries out detailed property checks, DBS checks and issues welcome and thank you payments for guests and hosts.
“We also host in-person visits when the guests have arrived at the host property and a follow-up appointment during the first six months. During this first visit, we help guests register with a GP, apply for school places, and assist guests in accessing support vouchers, welfare payments, language classes, and IT support. As well as this, we have hosted a series of drop-in sessions for residents and hosts.
"We work closely with the voluntary sector and the Ukrainian club to support many regular activities. We have a team of welfare workers and a resettlement worker who offer support and help to connect families to services here in Stockport. Stockport continues to stand in solidarity with Ukraine; we issue a bulletin to hosts and guests every week which provides valuable information and have officers replying to queries to our dedicated Homes for Ukraine email hotline. The Council would like to thank all residents who have opened and continue to open their homes to our friends from Ukraine."
READ NEXT:
- 'We were living the dream in Turkey when the unthinkable happened - now we're stuck in a nightmare'
- Man, 27, who had 'never been sick' given three weeks to live after noticing 'purple spots' on his chest
- 'I was worried my boys would grow up without a father - I had to make a change'
- 28-stone Marmite-on-toast 'addict' now couldn't look any more different after terminal diagnosis
- 'It's not a bad area, but it's very rough and very dangerous': The Manchester suburb where people are struggling to live
