First Ukrainian refugees arrive in Dorset
More than 100 emails were sent to Dorset Council offering accommodation on Monday alone
Last updated 17th Mar 2022
The first Ukrainian refugees have arrived in Dorset, Dorset Council has confirmed.
Ukrainians living in Dorset have welcomed family members as part of the government's family visa scheme.
It comes after 100,000 people registered their interest in the government's Homes for Ukraine scheme across the UK.
Dorset Council said more than 100 emails offering support were sent to them on Monday alone, the day the scheme was announced.
Cllr Graham Carr-Jones said: "It's been quite frantic. We've been inundated with offers of help from the fantastic people of Dorset.
"It's really marvellous to see the community pulling together again."
The Dorset Together working group which was originally set up to help during the pandemic, is still working out exactly what needs to be done to support the refugee programme.
Cllr Carr-Jones said: "At the moment it's still unclear as to what our role is, but what I do know is is that we've got a proud history of welcoming new arrivals at times of crisis into Dorset to offer support to families and individuals so they can build new lives here.
"We will have a role in terms of looking at the housing people are offering, we're working through that detail, potentially vetting the accommodation providers and just ensuring any Ukrainian refugees feel safe here in Dorset."