A Ukrainian mother and her teenage son, desperately trying to relocate to the Isle of Wight before their city is invaded by Russians, have been left feeling frustrated, scared and abandoned.
Chale resident, Peter Gosling, got in touch with News OnTheWight after reaching a point of exasperation about the constant delays of the visa process for Ukrainians attempting to find refuge on the Island.
Registered for Homes for Ukraine scheme
The long and drawn out process began in March for Peter and his wife. Having two spare rooms and an en suite bathroom, they decided to offer the space to a family fleeing the war-torn country and so registered for the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
Peter didn’t hear any more apart from a confirmation that his application had been received and told that someone would be in touch.
Contact made with mother and son
A little while later, through a Facebook Group supporting the efforts to help rehome displaced Ukrainians, Peter was put in touch with a mother and teenage son living in Dnipro.
The widow and her son, who is her only living relative, had previously had their visas approved. They have full international passports, however, the previous sponsor failed to meet necessary criteria, so the visas were rescinded.
Application made
On 6th April, Peter submitted an application to offer refuge to the mother and son in Chale. The application was acknowledged by the Government department and he was given the relevant reference numbers for both Ukrainians.
The mother and son are living just 100 miles north of the Donbas region, which is currently under heavy attack from the Russians.
Peter said,
“They can hear the sound of shells and bombing going on all the time.”
Drove more than 6,000km
When Peter got in touch to explain that he would be offering rooms in his home, he says the mother loaded her car and they drove to Rouen in France with aim of taking the ferry to Portsmouth, and then onward to the Island, in the hope that their visas would be re-granted without delay.
Peter explained,
“They waited in France, but as time went on they just ran out of money, so they returned home, driving back to Ukraine – they drove more than 6,000km to France and back and are now living back at home.”
Fears about enlistment
They are in regular via a messaging service and the mother is letting Peter know that each day the war is getting closer.
Her teenage son will be 16 in September and so she fears that as Ukraine have lost many men fighting the Russians, the age for mandatory enlistment in the Army could be reduced from 18 to 16.
It’s not hard to imagine how you would feel if your 15 year old son or grandson was at risk of being called to fight in a war where hundreds of men have already died in combat. Especially if they are your only living relative.
Constantly chasing the visas
Peter tells News OnTheWight that he’s been using the Government helpline on a regular basis. He said,
“They keep saying they will rush it through.”
Contact with MP
As you might expect, he has also been in touch via email with Isle of Wight Conservative MP, Bob Seely. Since 16th May he’s been emailing the office at least once a week seeking help to fast track the application through.
“I always got replies saying he was aware of the situation, but it seems as though he’s not in a position to actually do anything.”
Seely is “aware of this case and he is working hard”
News OnTheWight got in touch with Bob Seely’s office, explaining that we were seeking a positive outcome for Peter and the Ukrainians, asking whether there is anything he can do to help.
A spokesperson for Bob Seely’s office told News OnTheWight,
“I can confirm that Bob is aware of this case and he is working hard to support this constituent. I believe the constituent has been updated again on the case earlier today by Bob’s caseworker and work will continue on Monday with regard to this application, and indeed others.”
Gosling: Have heard the same before
When we shared the response with Peter, he confirmed that he’d received an email from Bob Seely’s office on Friday to say that he has “escalated the visa applications”,
“What that means I don’t know, because he said before that he was chasing them up. That was six weeks ago and I have been chasing him ever since. It has gone on and on and on. He’s given me hope before.”
Improving their English
Peter explained that whilst they have been waiting for their visas to be approved, the Ukrainian mother and son have been improving their English via an online language course.
When they finally arrive, both have been offered part-time work at The Wight Mouse Inn, Chale.
Credit where it’s due
Despite the problems with the Government departments, Peter had plenty of praise for those on the Island working for Community Action Isle of Wight, who are coordinating things once the Ukrainian guests arrive on the Island.
With not much prospect of anything happening over the weekend to progress the visa application, it’s hoped that there’ll be positive news at the start of next week.
Image: xtian30900 under CC BY 2.0
