Fair play to everyone that is doing it. We're still finishing a barn conversion currently so don't even have a house of our own, let alone a spare room. We'll have 1 spare room when it's done.....I'd consider it. Again, we're very isolated here though, so transport would be an issue.
I'd be interested in helping to support anyone local that does take people in though. Be it running errands or financially etc. Maybe some local support networks will emerge?
I’ve registered. I hope you get to meet potential guests before deciding if they move in. I’ve got a spare room. I can pile all my crap into the garage. I’m close to Liverpool that has a large Polish community so maybe common links. The cash would be useful but I can use it for extra food, bills, save it to help them get on their feet. The trauma side is worrying me but so is not doing anything when I have an easy life compared to the majority of the world’s population. See what happens, hope for the best.
My friends Martin and Fran took in a Syrian refugee, Mouhyedin, several years ago - https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/15634259.he-enriched-lives-say-darlington-couple-took-young-syrian-fleeing-warzone/
He's since opened his own restaurant - https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/business/18100479.this-town-people---syrian-refugees-new-restaurant-for-darlington/ - and recently bought his own home and enrolled on an OU degree.
I've signed up but am super cautious for the usual selfish reasons (someone in my space) but more because I'm a single dad and my 12 yr old lives with me half the time. Him wanting to stay here is critical so I'm wary of that being impacted. (Have discussed it with him and he's keen to help)
But... I know it is both the right thing and potentially a really rewarding experience for my son. I guess it hinges on the person who'd be here.
I love the idea of it, but we simply don't have the space. Only one spare room, that's now used as an office, the other office area being the living room. (we are both WFH) If I still owned my flat I would have offered that, but I wouldn't have been on hand to chaperone? With the points raised above about support, it may not have been any use anyway.