Stories

We’ve collected profiles, Q&As, first-person accounts, in-depth features, top tips and films from across the UK’s community-led welcome activities.

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Yuliia Matalinets came to the UK under the Homes for Ukraine scheme and is staying with hosts in Bristol. Here she outlines what a traditional Ukrainian Christmas looks like, and we think it sounds magical!
Homes for Ukraine
Renting your property to a refugee family through Community Sponsorship is one of the most significant ways in which you can contribute to resettlement. Here Jo tells us why she would encourage other landlords to do the same and answers some your key questions.
HousingLondonVolunteer
Ellie is a member of two Community Sponsorship Groups in Cornwall and has more than 20 years’ experience in education. Here she shares her top tips on helping children adapt to education in the UK.
ChildrenSchoolSouth West
Abdullah arrived in the UK with only a few words of English. Ten months later, he had passed his theory and practical driving tests giving him vital independence and freedom. Gordon East, founder of CHARIS, set up the Community Sponsorship group which sponsored Abdullah and his family. Here he speaks to him to hear his advice for other refugees.
EmploymentRefugeeSkills and development
Ellie Stacey has been at the forefront of Community Sponsorship since its launch in 2016. A former head teacher, she played a key role in setting up Bude Refugee Support Group before moving south and joining Falmouth and Penryn Welcome Refugee Families. She also finds the time to mentor other groups in the southwest. Here Ellie shares some of her learning about volunteering and resettling a refugee family.
HousingSkills and developmentSouth West
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Introduction to Community Sponsorship

Community Sponsorship is a fantastic way to come together as a community and welcome refugees to your area. In this video Bea goes through the essential requirements you will need to form a Community Sponsorship group. If you have any further questions, please email [email protected]
Community

How does Community Sponsorship Work?

This animation tells you a little bit more about how Community Sponsorship works and the practical things you will get involved with if you become a volunteer.
CommunityVolunteer

Advice for landlords with houses to rent

Hear from landlords Jo and Ingrid about why they’d recommend renting to refugees to every landlord and find out what support exists for you if you have a property to rent.
HousingLandlord

Home is where the bread is

Food can taste like home. It connects us to our heritage and our memories. The Fayyad family were so happy to be welcomed to Falmouth by their Community Sponsors. But there was one thing missing: Arabic-style bread. The family began to bake their own bread, and shared their skills with their sponsors.
South West

A Warm Devon Welcome

Meet some of the Community Sponsorship groups who with the support of Lead Sponsor, The Pickwell Foundation, are welcoming families to Devon. Hear about impact welcoming refugees is having on them and their communities.
OrganisationRefugeeVolunteer

ITV London News- Homes for Ukraine

ITV London spoke to Dymtro about his experience of leaving Ukraine, and Sean and Shahidul about their positive experience of hosting him in their London home. This video is the property of ITV London News who have kindly allowed us to share it on our site.
Homes for UkraineRefugee
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We worked with journalist, Ros Wynne-Jones, to bring people together to share their stories of exile, and being welcomed to the UK. We think the resulting piece is extremely moving, and we hope you agree.
CommunityHomes for UkraineRefugee
Iryna came to the UK from Ukraine after being matched with a host by Reset. In this first person piece for Metro she reflects on the first anniversary of the conflict in her home country. We are very proud of her.
Homes for Ukraine
A piece in the Daily Echo examining the difficulties facing Ukranians who want to move on from their host accommodation into their own rented accommodation. With comment from Reset.
Homes for Ukraine
A piece about how people have stepped up to support the people of Ukraine and how we need to keep that support going!
Homes for Ukraine
A year after the start of the war in Ukraine, three sets of hosts and their Ukrainian guests discuss how the past year has been, and how they have found the experience of living together. An uplifting read!
Homes for Ukraine
With the first anniversary of the Ukrainian war approaching, the South London Press look at the issue of how hosts are still needed for the Homes for ukraine scheme. For the piece they spoke to Dymtro about his experience of leaving Ukraine, and Sean and Shahudul about their positive experience of hosting him in their London home.
Homes for Ukraine