Ukrainians have been welcomed in Perth and Kinross in more numbers per head of population than anywhere else in Scotland, it has been revealed.
As of January 17, 2023, 314 people displaced by the conflict in Ukraine had arrived in Perth and Kinross through Homes for Ukraine (HFU) and the Scottish Super Sponsor Scheme.
This is the third highest of local authorities in Scotland by number and the highest number per capita at 207 per 100,000 population.
The figures were released by the British Red Cross in the approach to the one-year anniversary of the launch of the HFU scheme, which went live on March 18, 2022.
Aberfeldy has been one of the most welcoming areas in the district.
When war broke out in Ukraine the community in Aberfeldy got together and decided to take action. They sorted visas, funded flights, set up English language lessons, community groups and support networks and eventually welcomed 33 young families from Ukraine into their community.
Owner of the Schiehallion Hotel in the town, Gavin Price, helped launch the Highland Perthshire Welcomes Ukraine appeal, which is completely run by local volunteers and supported by donations and grants.
Some of the children didn’t waste any time signing up to the local football team as they settled into their new surroundings – and the kids were enrolled at local schools Breadalbane Academy and Grandtully Primary School.
Around 50 houses in the town signed up to the scheme to be matched with Ukrainian families, and around 30-40 in Pitlochry.
The area’s efforts did not go unnoticed. At a carol concert in the town hall at Christmas, locals were surprised when BBC Scotland camera crews and presenter Jackie Bird turned up to film Christmas TV programme ‘Scotland’s People’, a festive celebration of Scotland’s unsung heroes.
There was also an exclusive appearance by Brit Award-winning musician, Tom Walker and video messages from a host of celebrities who had been impressed by the locals’ response including Annie Lennox, Judge Rinder, Alan Cumming, Benedict Cumberbatch and Andriy Shevchenko.
Perth and Kinross Council’s expanded its in-house letting agency, which also connects to council services such as welfare rights, environment services, and council tax, to accommodate Ukrainians building on existing relationships with local landlords. They produced a package for landlords to incentivise them to rent to Ukrainians.
The council also took a proactive approach in supporting guests and hosts under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, by having regular conversations with guests and hosts about long-term accommodation options, believing that making both parties aware of alternative options can prevent relationship breakdown between hosts and guests.
Pete Wishart, MP for Perth and North Perthshire, welcomed the figures released by the British Red Cross, saying: “One year on from the launch of the HFU scheme, I am delighted, but unsurprised, by recent British Red Cross figures which found Perth and Kinross to have the highest number per capita of Ukrainians settled through the scheme out of all local authorities in Scotland.
“Since the very start, I have been astounded by the generosity of the people of Perthshire who have gone above and beyond.”
