Ukrainian Refugees Arrive in Shepherd's Bush

Ukrainian refugees cross into Poland

The first refugees from Ukraine have begun to arrive in Shepherd's Bush.

A number of residents of Macfarlane Rd, which has an active WhatsApp Group helping neighbours to help each other, has taken in families, helping in a very personal way to alleviate the biggest humanitarian crisis Europe has faced since WW2.  We asked one Macfarlane Rd volunteer what is involved, and how others can help out.

How many refugees are you taking in?

Ukrainian refugees; many are children

I’ve taken in a mother and her 15-year-old daughter.

How did this come about?
We have a Ukrainian family who have lived on Macfarlane Road for many years. My Ukrainian guest works for an international accountancy firm in Kyiv, as does the husband of this Ukrainian family.  

He set all this in motion - making contact with possible willing sponsors via our street WhatsApp group.  He has also housed another family on the street who are best friends with my guests.

What is the mechanism for making it happen?

You need to register on the UK Government’s website as a sponsor as part of the Homes for Ukraine scheme. 

This website recommends that, if you don’t know anyone whom you wish to sponsor, you might want to get in touch with charities, faith groups or local community organisations who are starting to make connections between individuals.

How can others get involved and help out?
If people want to get involved, they can contribute cash to the UNHCR or to LBHF’s Ukraine initiative. Or people can offer help to those hosting refugees e.g. with assistance in completing school or other application forms; English lessons - or even finding them things to do and see.

The Bush Telegraph offers a personal view on life in Shepherd's Bush. If you would like to contribute a story, email us at shepherdsbushblog@gmail.com.  And don't forget to add your opinion in the comments section below.