A community appeal has resulted in temporary homes for 2 Ukrainian families on the Island, but more accommodation is still urgently needed.
The appeal, launched by Community Action Isle of Wight at the end of 2022, sought to find vacant properties for larger Ukrainian families who were desperate to stay together on the Island.
Thanks to the media coverage, places were found for two families including family members Alisa Druzhbina, Halyna Vasiukova, Albina Kulchytska, and her daughter Nina Kulchytska
The family had travelled to the UK from the east side of Ukraine where most of the hostilities have been focused. On their arrival Alisa and Halyna were hosted together in one home and Albina and her Daughter Nina were hosted by another family.
Halyna said:
“When we came to the UK, we thought we might only be staying for a few months and would then be able to return home to Ukraine but sadly it has just not been safe to do so.
“We have been supported for the last nine months by the most wonderful hosts, with whom we will remain friends for life but, having been separated in different homes and knowing we will potentially be here for much longer, we desperately wanted to live together again as a family.
Article continues below this advertisement “After the appeal we received the fantastic news we had been waiting for, and we have now been able to move into a property together. We are truly grateful for all the help and support we have received.”
Philippa Daley from Community Action Isle of Wight who has been coordinating support together with the Isle of Wight Council for over 100 Ukrainian families echoed Halyna’s thoughts saying:
“We are so grateful to the media for the coverage of our appeal and to the continuing generosity of Islanders.
“It is hard to believe that we are a year down the line and the war in Ukraine shows no sign of ending and we are determined to continue to do what we can for these families who remain desperate to return home and be reunited with family and friends.
“We continue to urgently need both vacant accommodation of all sizes to rent, for a minimum of one year, as well as hosted accommodation and we are appealing once again for the community’s support.”
Accommodation specifically needed currently includes:
- 3 bed rental property driving distance from Newport for a family of 5
- 2 bed rental property for a family of 3 Niton/ Whitwell/ Shanklin areas
- 2 bed hosted accommodation for a family of 3 in Ryde
- 3 bed rental property for a family of 3 in Ryde
- 2 bed rental or hosted property for a family of 3 in East Cowes
- 2 bed hosted property for a family of 2 in Cowes
- 2 bed rental property for a family of 2 in Newport
- 2 bed rental property for a family of 2 in Shanklin
Anyone able to help is asked to contact Philippa on 01983 539374 or email [email protected] Community Action will then provide the support to guide you through the process. Funding support is still available for host families
I live in the street. Can you please help me find a 1 bedroom flat. My life is all over the place and I can’t find my way at the moment.
It is disappointing that action IW cannot seem to find the same amount of energy and focus for islanders who are in need of a home.
I would suggest that’s the job of your local council.
they sold off the housing stock to avoid housing the homeless..straight up I called and asked about a friend that had become homeless and was told this gobsmacker!..any property is not for islanders, its for our ‘new’ islanders..
and these charities should be supporting locals, not bringing more people to the already overpopulated island.
I live in a 2 bedroom house with a nearly 18 year old son, and a 14 year old disabled son, they have to share a tiny bedroom, when do the council want to help islanders
When our Capital was being bombed to destruction the women stayed WITH their men folk, giving support and working hard in factories to aid the war effort, and growing food as the land army girls did. Even children worked to help out.
Even the Royal family stayed in the Capital mostly.
These people are just using the war as an excuse to get a better life at the expense of us all.
Only good thing is they are not like many of the ‘newcomers’ and likely not arrogant, pushy, ignorant and nasty, and will NOT end up stabbing, shooting, raping, acid attacking or bombing and drug dealing, etc, BUT they still cost money and a home, and I bet most never every go home again. If they do then fine, but somehow I doubt it.
Yes, but in 1940 the enemy wasn’t literally at the door.
This comment deserves way more credit. What English folk dont fully realise is that foreigners do not engage with our culture or talk to any of us and when we do talk to them they get angry or look at us funny. I’m a nomad and whenever I go to another culture I show respect and try to engage share my experiences and such, but every foreigner I have ever met only want to bring their cousins over. I’m not racist by a long way but when you have the whole world on different street corners bullying anyone who’s white that’s when I’m going to fight back.
Our capital was being bombed. It wasn’t in danger of being overrun with orc-like vermin intent on rape and murder.
Big difference.
And Londoners did send their children to live in the country.
So the Nazi’s were angels were they?
And for natural born Islanders who have nowhere secure to call home???? Can shake the magic money tree for people who ‘arrive’ but not for people who are actually from here!!!?!!..I say this as an outsider who loves this island and pays my way on all fronts and expects NOTHING by way of handouts or freebies or favours but as an ADULT understand what are MY responsibilities.
And they say that, charity begins at home!! 😮
I was bought up to believe charity begins at home! I Feel sorry for them but we have our own people to look after first??
They should find the homeless on the island homes first !!!
Where’s my comment? Charity begins at home!
Iwcc u shud b ashamed of yourselves
These are not the same Ukraine women that the internet was trying to get us to re-home! I thought they’d all be blonde and in their 20s.
Worry about your own before you worry about the most currupt country in the world
They all need to wake up
Exactly And what happens when the men come
I needs a garage on my place so I can get my mobility scooter out of the rain, she don’t like the damp, will they find that?