Almost 400 people offer accommodation and support after the Diocese of Oxford announces its partnership with Citizens UK, aiming to resettle 50 Ukrainian refugees across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Diocese of Oxford has joined Citizens UK as one of 20 strategic partners working together to resettle 1,000 Ukrainian refugees before Easter. More than two million people have already fled Ukraine in what is being called the fastest growing refugee crisis in Europe since World War Two. The diocese will support a network of local groups in resettling 50 refugees across the Thames Valley area as the next step in its ongoing work with Citizens UK.
Almost 400 people contacted the diocese in less than a week to register their interest in providing support - with around half offering accommodation to a refugee or refugee family.
Homes for Ukrainians
The government's Homes for Ukrainians scheme, announced in mid-March, allows unlimited people to seek refuge in the UK - on the proviso they have direct family or a named sponsor here. Through Citizens UK, the diocese will link potential hosts to a suitable refugee or refugee family. This large-scale co-ordinated action allows Citizens UK and those involved in the scheme to work with partner organisations in Ukraine and make a big impact, fast.
Sponsoring a family through the partnership also ensures local groups have access to Citizens UK's expertise and diocesan support throughout the process. Under the government scheme, refugees are granted an initial visa of six months, which can be extended to a maximum of three years, and they are able to work and access benefits and healthcare immediately. Sponsors provide rent-free housing for at least six months, and wraparound support is set to be provided by local councils through government funding.
A network of support
Further support from volunteers is welcomed in a variety of areas to guarantee the longevity of the commitment. People unable to offer accommodation may be able to assist refugees with paperwork, provide transport from the airport, support language tuition and more. The diocese will connect volunteers with local host families to forge a strong network of support across the area.
Jonathan Cox, Deputy Director of Citizens UK and lead for their partnership with the Diocese of Oxford, said;
“The Homes for Ukrainians scheme is an incredible opportunity to channel the outpouring of support for Ukrainians into practical action at a local level – and adds another important route, alongside asylum and resettlement, for those fleeing persecution to find sanctuary in the UK.”
“There is no better way to overcome our feelings of helplessness than to make a refugee family welcome in our local community, and we see here a possible blueprint for welcoming not just Ukrainians, but other refugees in the future too.”
The Diocese of Oxford is still looking to hear from anyone willing to provide help. Interest can be registered here, and registrants will be invited to introductory sessions taking place in late March to early April.
ENDS
Notes for editors
Register interest for hosting and offering other support.
For more information, please contact Hannah Ling, the diocesan Social Justice Adviser.
For media enquiries, please contact Emma Thompson.
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About the Diocese of Oxford
The Diocese of Oxford is the Church of England in the Thames Valley region of Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes. There are 815 churches in 626 parishes, the largest number of churches of any diocese in the Church of England. The diocese is also home to 284 schools educating some 60,000 pupils. Addressing poverty and inequality is one of the five key focus areas of the common vision of the diocese.
More information on the diocesan reaction to the Ukraine crisis is available here. -
About Citizens UK
Citizens UK are a 'people-powered alliance dedicated to challenging injustice and building stronger communities'. The Diocese of Oxford has been in a strategic partnership with Citizens UK since 2020, investing £150,000 in community organising over five years to establish civil society alliances for social justice in Reading and Oxford, to support action in rural contexts, and to join with the pre-existing and very effective Citizens Milton Keynes to form Thames Valley Citizens.