UKRAINIAN refugees will receive a warm welcome in Warwickshire.
Over 150 representatives from town and parish councils, Warwickshire County Council (WCC), voluntary, community and faith groups have met online to share ideas about how to welcome to Ukrainian people fleeing their war-torn country.
The meeting followed the launch of a Government scheme whereby UK citizens are invited to open up their homes to host Ukrainians. Most people coming to the county under the Ukrainian Family Sponsorship Scheme are expected to be women, children and the elderly.
A WCC spokesperson said: “Warwickshire has the highest number of Ukrainian residents in the West Midlands outside of Birmingham. We also have relatively large populations from states neighbouring Ukraine, and the highest Polish population in the West Midlands.
“Warwickshire has a proud history of welcoming and providing ongoing support to those fleeing from conflicts around the globe, and will continue to do so. In recent years, refugees have arrived from Afghanistan and Syria, and have been assisted through partnerships between local government, educators, healthcare providers and others.
“The Council is working closely with District and Borough Councils to identify the challenges arising from the crisis, and to ensure that support will be available to Ukrainian families and individuals who require it.”
Speaking after the event, Coun Heather Timms said: “The sheer number of people who attended the meeting, the depth of their compassion, and the determination of all those gathered to step forward to help is humbling. The strength of community spirit in Warwickshire bodes well for making sure we do all that is possible to help those fleeing their homes to feel supported and safe.
“Warwickshire has always been a county that celebrates and welcomes diversity, a county that always offers help to its most vulnerable residents, and a county that has a deep and enduring sense of civil-mindedness at its very heart and this has been never more apparent than in its response to the crisis in Ukraine.”
Visit https://tinyurl.com/y9b9nhnz for WCC’s list of resources that residents can use to support humanitarian efforts connected to Ukraine.
Visit www.homesforukraine.campaign.gov.uk for information about the Ukrainian home sponsorship scheme.
