Renewed call for Peterborough hosts to offer Ukrainians fleeing war accommodation - as 237 people sponsored

Peterborough Cathedral has now hired a coordinator to help refugees settle into city life as it re-appeals for new hosts to take in Ukrainians fleeing war.

Since April 2022 the cathedral has been working with Citizens UK to establish a ‘Welcoming Network’ for those arriving in the Peterborough area.

Thanks to generous donations it has been possible to appoint a part-time coordinator to take this forward.

They will host weekly meetings for Ukrainian guests at Almoner’s Hall in the Cathedral precincts.

Any Ukrainians, whether they have UK hosts or have arrived through the ‘Family Visa’ route, are welcome to the sessions which share essential information about adapting to life in the UK.

However, the need for hosts to come forward remains a priority and is more pressing than ever, the cathedral said.

It comes as the cathedral itself is providing accommodation to a Ukrainian family.

‘Dozens more desperate’

“For every family we are in touch with, there are dozens more who are desperate to leave the dangerous conditions in Ukraine but cannot do so until hosts have been found,”

Jan Armitage, administrator of the Cathedral, said.

“The UK government has confirmed that hosts will continue to benefit from a £350 per month payment for up to 12 months, £500 thereafter, and on arrival the guests - who often have fled with nothing - are eligible to claim benefits until they can settle and find work. Guests also are entitled to NHS services, and children will be found school places.

“I’d encourage anyone who feels they may be able to provide accommodation, whether in their own home or in a vacant property, to get in touch and we will do everything we can to support you through the matching and settling-in process.”

At Christmas the cathedral community rose to the challenge and gave gifts to over 65 children from the Ukrainian families.

Each child also received a copy of HELLO Привіт, a book and journal in Ukrainian and English, all about the ups and downs of settling in to their new life in the UK.

The Cathedral is also co-ordinating local fundraising for the collection and delivery of medical and generator supplies to Ukraine.

Family groups can vary in size from one to six people and there is plenty of support available via the Cathedral project and Citizens UK to ensure a successful outcome for both the host and the guests.

This includes a multistage, 100% confidential matching process and both pre-and post-arrival advice for refugees and hosts.

As of January 3, Home Office data reveals that 395 Ukrainians have applied for visas in Peterborough, of those visas 310 have been issued and 237 arrivals have been recorded as living in Peterborough by sponsor location.

The Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme was introduced on 18 March 2022, and allows Ukrainian nationals and their family members to come to the UK if they have a named sponsor under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme.