Family offering home to Ukraine refugees say Cornwall is 'perfect place to find solace'
Angela, who lives near Truro, is among the thousands who have signed up
Last updated 17th Mar 2022
A family living near Truro are opening their doors to give refugees fleeing the violence in Ukraine a place to stay.
Angela Swift, from Malpas, has applied to offer up two rooms in her house to make Ukrainian women and children to feel safe on their refuge to the UK.
She lives with her seven-year-old son, Rafe, and partner Russ, and told us she would want the same for her little boy.
"If you were in that situation, you too would be looking for the kindness of strangers".
Angela said: "I think just as a mother you feel for the plight of these women and children crossing the border and relate to it in a way.
The government opened its Homes for Ukraine scheme on Monday (14th).
The scheme saw 89,000 people sign up to offer their homes in the UK in the first 24 hours.
Angela felt like she needed to offer her help, telling us Cornwall would be the perfect place to people to find a safe space.
"I just woke up in the middle of the night and thought we have to do something, spoke to them (Rafe and Russ) in the morning and they were really up for it".
Angela continued: "It's so beautiful, it's so calming and I think if you're coming from a warzone, you left your home you're in a very dark place. I think the natural beauty of Cornwall and the calmness would be some solace on the situation.
The family have offered a single and a double room to Ukrainians who might be in need.
Angela told us son, who is seven, is understanding.
She said: "He's probably the kindest person I know. He's an only child, he's excited for making new friends. He'd share all of his little soft toys which mean the world to him.
"I feel very grateful, we have a home with two extra guest bedrooms. It's part of the home but it's slightly separate so it would afford some privacy to someone living there but they'd still be joining us in kitchen, in the dining room, in the living room. While they would still have their separate bed space, they'd still be a part of the home.
"I think it'd be really important for them to be part of the family".
"It's one of these situations, you've got to muck in and make it work. Where there's a will there's always a way".
The website to apply for the scheme has seen an overwhelming amount of interest from families in Cornwall and all across the UK wanting to help since it was set up.
To register to the scheme, you can sign up on the government website.