Community Action are appealing for property owners to come forward as the need for accommodation for Ukrainian families continues.
The charity, which has been working with the Isle of Wight council to support families fleeing the war in Ukraine, arriving to the Island has welcomed over 100 families. However, the charity has struggled with the challenge of placing larger families and is appealing for additional help from the Island community.
Philippa Daley from Community Action who has coordinated much of the support to date said,
“We want to say a huge thank you to all the Island families that have helped us so far. You have made such a difference to the many families that have had to leave their loved ones behind to escape the horrors of the war in Ukraine, offering them a safe place to live here on the Island. We have also been delighted that so many of our hosts have told us of the positive experience this has been for them too.
“However, we have found it difficult to place larger families who are desperate to stay together and so we appealing to property owners with vacant properties to come forward.
“We are ideally looking for properties with two or three bedrooms in locations across the Island that property owners would be willing to rent for a minimum of a year.”
One such family includes Yuliia, an Estate agent from Kharkiv in Ukraine who is seeking accommodation for herself and her three children, said,
“We have been so lucky to stay with a wonderful host family on the Island in Atherfield and they have been really welcoming to us. However, they now need to downsize and buy a smaller property and we will therefore need to find somewhere else to live from March next year.
“When my children and I fled Ukraine my husband stayed behind to help our community and we thought that we would only stay in the UK for a couple of months.
“Sadly it is not safe for us to return home and the conditions under which my husband is living has become so difficult with no heating and power cuts that he is going to come to the Island to join us.
“My children are in school in Brighstone and Newport and we would be so grateful to be able to stay in the same area as the children are really settled in school and doing well. ”
CEO from Community Action, Mike Bulpitt said,
“We continue to hear the heart-wrenching stories of our Ukrainian visitors, many of whom have loved ones still in Ukraine and would love nothing more than to return to their country. Some have had to watch their homes and businesses destroyed and they simply need a safe haven until the war comes to an end.
“The generosity of Islanders has been truly remarkable, and we are hopeful that more people can come forward to help families in need.”
Get in touch
Anyone able to help is asked to contact Philippa on 01983 539374 or email [email protected] Community Action will then provide the support to guide you through the process.
News shared by Claire on behalf of Community Action. Ed
