Cheltenham councillor offers to take in Ukrainian refugees
He's encouraging others who can to do the same, but says the Government scheme is "cumbersome"
Last updated 24th Mar 2022
Cheltenham Borough Council’s housing chief Mike Collins has signed up to rehome Ukrainian refugees and is encouraging others in the town to come forward and help if they have spare accommodation.
Councillor Mike Collins (LD, Benhall and the Reddings), housing cabinet member, said Cheltenham has a history of welcoming refugees and can once again step up to the mark.
He said the situation in Ukraine is very sad but offering somewhere for people to live will be like a light at the end of the tunnel for those fleeing the conflict.
He has signed up to the government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme, which will let people in the UK host refugees in their homes.
Cllr Collins said: “I’m in the fortunate position of having some spare bedrooms in my house. I’ve got one double room and a single room which could accommodate a small family.
“My mindset is if somebody comes to my house, it’s their home and they can use the kitchen, cook what they like, do their washing and come and go as they please.
“I’d make a bit of space for them to have their own groceries, I’d give them their own cupboard in the kitchen, a shelf in the fridge and a drawer in the freezer.
“I want them to feel completely at home unless it comes to rugby on the telly, in which case I get to dictate that.
“It’s obviously a big step for people to take to welcome complete strangers into their homes but given the dreadful circumstances we find ourselves in, I would strongly urge anyone who was able to consider it.
“We are a town of sanctuary and somebody may be in two minds as to whether to do it or not but I would hope when people do start coming to the UK they can resettle quite easily.”
Government scheme "cumbersome"
Cheltenham's housing cabinet member Cllr Mike Collins says himself and other councillors have been contacted by residents with spare rooms, annexes and even empty houses ready to accommodate a family from the war-thorn country.
The council is keeping a log of people who may have spare accommodation and will be working with Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers, Gloucestershire County Council and others.
But speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, Cllr Collins has criticised the Government's Home for Ukraine scheme for being too "cumbersome":
"There's a sense of frustration that offers are being made and nothing seems to be done about it."
"As a local councillor, alot of my colleague sand mysefl included have received offers from residents asking "Can I put somebody up"?
"At the moment we have to wait for the Government's visa scheme to be sort out, and this matching process, it does seem a bit cumbersome I must admit".
"We already got the biggest Ukrainian community in Gloucestershire here in Cheltenham - we've got about 100-120 Ukrainians living here already.
"It's not a new thing for Cheltenham, we have experience and lots of connections, and of course if we can help we will."
For more information or to record interest in the Government scheme to rehouse Ukrainian refugees you can visit the Government's website.