Dorset families hosting Ukrainian refugees 'frustrated' by visa delays
They've been complaining to Dorset Council
Last updated 30th Apr 2022
Frustrations remain high for many Dorset families who have offered to host Ukraine refugees fleeing the war zone.
A new report to Dorset Council report says that many are still waiting for Government departments to act over visas and funding.
The authority say the length of time it's taking to get the visas sorted is leading to households complaining to them.
Part of the problem is that support is only being offered through the Homes for Ukraine scheme, and that's also led to complaints from those arriving in the UK through other routes, including the UK Family Scheme.
That offers entry visas through the Home Office to immediate and extended family members of British nationals, but not the funding or support to go with it either for the refugees, or the UK-based families.
LUCY'S STORY
Lucy Wells, 34, from Blandford said her family applied on March 23rd to sponsor two mothers and four children, aged 15 to three, from Kyiv.
She's told PA:
"It's been a really frustrating process and we're still waiting on visas but have been met by so many obstacles along the way.
"One of the most shocking things that we found out is on Monday we finally got an email from someone at the Home Office, who told us that the visas had been issued.
"We've only received two visa emails, so we were waiting on notification of four visas."
The refugees, have been in accommodation in Germany for a month and Lucy said:
"It's really like they've been stuck in limbo, they're trying to adapt to something that's completely abnormal.
"They're really struggling financially and it's really difficult for them- it's really frustrating and upsetting.
"We really want to work with the family but we're getting no answers, every day feels like a second job."
Dorset Council says that although it has been promised Government funding of £10,500 per year for each individual to help with resettlement and other costs it is still waiting guidance on the payment system and the administration of the £350 monthly ‘thank you’ payments to host families under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
Councillor Laura Miller told us they're doing all they can to help both Ukrainians and hosts when they arrive:
"Certainly when people are joining us, we're doing the home checks and then processing their payments and processing the £200 emergency payment to our guests too. So from our perspective, it is gaining momentum and we are picking up the pace. We're also seeing the visas coming in a bit quicker now, so I'm hopeful that things are on a bit more of an even keel."