Meet the East Lancashire people signed up to 'Homes for Ukraine' scheme

Following its announcement earlier this week, the government's 'Homes for Ukraine' scheme has seen more than 120,000 individuals and organisations express an interest in taking in Ukrainian refugees.

Several of those are from Lancashire, one being Lucy Cooper, a 46-year-old primary school teacher from Waterfoot.

She told the Lancashire Telegraph: "I think it stems from empathy, more than anything.

"In terms of the wars like we have seen in places like Syria, this feels different.

"These people were just like me a matter of weeks ago, it hits a lot closer to home.

"I've only recently moved house so it is a bit of a building site, which isn't ideal, but it'll be fine.

"Of course, I have reservations and some anxiety about it all. It is a minimum term of six months when you sign up so naturally, you think 'oh no, what if we hate each other?', but you can't think like that.

"The bigger picture is that after fleeing a country at war, anyone would be happy to be in a safe place, in a warm room with a roof over their head. I feel it's morally the right thing to do."

Another Rossendale participant, who asked to be named only as Jackie, said she and her family will also be taking in a refugee and learning to speak Ukrainian.

She added: "I have put myself into the shoes of these poor people. If something like this happened to us, we would want others to do the same for us.

"They were living normal lives until the war broke out and now they're homeless, through no fault of their own.

"It has nothing to do with the money, we'd said we would do it long before that was announced.

"Quite simply, and I appreciate this sounds a bit corny, we feel it's our duty to help these people.

"I'm a Christian, so in my faith if I know I can help someone, I will. 

"We have spare rooms and so to take someone in is a no-brainer. I'll be learning to speak some Ukrainian too, it's only fair. 

"It might only be a few bits, but hopefully it helps them relax and feel a little more at home."

The new scheme aims to match refugees with individuals, charities and other organisations who can provide accommodation for at least six months, enabling Ukrainians without family ties in the UK to enter the country.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: "We have seen a huge response from the British public. The Prime Minister welcomes the generosity of the British people.

"We knew when we opened the scheme that there would be an outpouring of support but the speed of the uptake and the strength of the interest in this is massively welcome and a sign to the Ukrainian people of the level of support there is for them."

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