Nearly 100 Ukrainian refugees and their hosts from across the Devizes constituency gathered in Marlborough this weekend at a welcome meeting hosted by Danny Kruger MP.
The meeting, held at St Peter’s Church yesterday (Saturday, June 11th), was an opportunity for community groups, sponsors and their Ukrainian guests to meet and discuss the UK’s refugee schemes, the visa application process and the welcome in Wiltshire.
Mr Kruger welcomed the group, took questions and asked for feedback on the Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme and on Wiltshire Council’s support for arriving refugees, particularly in setting up school places for children and in organising English lessons.
Deputy Wiltshire Council leader Laura Mayes also attended and offered advice to families and refugees on Wiltshire Council services. Cllr Mayes said more than 500 households in Wiltshire have now been matched to Ukrainian refugees or families, and just over 1,300 people from Ukraine have either arrived or are set to arrive soon.
Mr Kruger and Cllr Mayes paid tribute to community groups across the county which have assisted in matching potential host families with Ukrainans. One such group in Marlborough was started by Richard Ramsden and Erica Stuart, who each spoke at the meeting, and who have worked voluntarily to co-ordinate hosts and share information.
Danny Kruger MP said: “I am immensely proud of Wiltshire’s contributions in housing Ukrainian refugees. The county is one of the most generous in the country and communities have rallied together to provide as much support as they can for those fleeing war. I was privileged to meet so many sponsors and refugees this weekend and to hear their experiences of travelling to and settling in the UK. I hope they will enjoy life in Wiltshire and feel welcomed.
“Like many who spoke at the meeting, I’m also very impressed with how Wiltshire Council has stepped up to this crisis and diverted so many resources into making this scheme work and welcoming refugees to the area. It is important now that we continue to work together and communicate with communities, individual sponsors and refugees themselves to identify potential issues as quickly as possible to allow those who have arrived from Ukraine to integrate into Wiltshire life and be able to live independently.”
Councillor Laura Mayes said: "“It was good to attend the meeting to understand experiences from both hosts and guests. Wiltshire Council continues to support the process to welcome people from the Ukraine and I was pleased to hear such good feedback about our support.”
