I am the chair of trustees of Refugees Welcome, Cheshire East, which has been in existence for six and a half years. We support Syrian and Afghan families in the area, working with Cheshire East council, and are part of a steering group preparing for the arrival of Ukrainian refugees (Questions mount amid eagerness in UK to help Ukraine refugees, 18 March). We had set up a full support infrastructure before the Syrian and Afghan families arrived, including volunteers who had undergone Disclosure and Barring Service checks and training.
It seems that the wonderful people who register to help those fleeing Ukraine have to find their own refugees and support system. I wonder how prepared people will be when the refugees finally arrive. Their commitment is a minimum of six months – a long time to share your home with strangers. Will potential hosts have the skills to support traumatised refugees who have fled from war and have had to leave family members behind?
Cheshire East has been praised for its work alongside Refugees Welcome. I hope newer charities will follow our model to ensure the Ukrainian scheme is successful.
Nicola Campbell
Macclesfield, Cheshire
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