On the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine, Nottinghamshire County Council has announced it will top up funding for the Homes for Ukraine scheme for the next 12 months from April, to continue to help Ukrainians settle in the county.

From April 2025, the Government is due to reduce its base payments from £500 to £350. The new council contribution of £150 will ensure hosts continue with the same level of support.

The news comes as a Nottinghamshire woman, who opened her home to those who have fled Ukraine, is encouraging other residents with a spare room to consider welcoming guests under this scheme.

Hazel Melewar from Burton Joyce has been a host to five Ukrainian guests, including Kateryna Harnaha who has lived in Hazel’s home for more than a year.

Hazel and Kateryna’s journey began when Hazel saw footage of the war in Ukraine.

Describing watching a video of a woman in her eighties at a train station trying to leave Ukraine, Hazel said; “This really stood out to me and I thought, how can I help? Then I heard about others in my village opening their homes to Ukrainians and realised I had spare rooms too.”

When Kateryna first came to Nottinghamshire, she did not speak English fluently, but over the last two years, she has been able to learn English and has found a job as a psychologist at Nottingham Women’s Centre. Kateryna will be helping Ukrainian women who prefer to see a therapist who speaks Ukrainian.

In a message to those considering opening up their homes to Ukrainian guests, Hazel said: “I would say to others, try it. You’ll be surprised how easily you can adapt and how also adaptable the Ukrainians are in your home.”

Praising the generosity of Nottinghamshire residents like Hazel for opening their homes to Ukrainian guests, Councillor Scott Carlton, Cabinet Member for Communities and Public Health said: “This is one of many inspirational stories I have heard about communities stepping up in support of the Ukrainian people to help them settle in and feel at home in our county over the last few years. This is why we are proud to extend the Homes for Ukraine scheme and make sure the full £500 thank you payment continues.

“I hope Hazel and Kateryna’s story will also inspire others to consider welcoming those from Ukraine who have been through the trauma of having to leave their own homes and loved ones to seek refuge in a new country.”

The Homes for Ukraine scheme is designed to allow individual residents in the UK to sponsor named Ukrainian guests. Guests can live and work in the UK for up to 18 months (reduced from 36 months in February 2024) and access benefits, healthcare, employment, and other support.

For anyone who has a spare room and thinks that they can help email homesforukraine@nottscc.gov.uk or see the dedicated page www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/business-community/support-for-ukraine for more details