88 Ukrainians are currently in the process of coming to Congleton
By Alex Greensmith
18th May 2022 | Local News
88 people will move to the Congleton area, according to the Congleton Area Support Network.
The figures were revealed by Paul Nixon, a web services worker founded the support organisation after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Speaking at a Congleton Town Hall meeting on Tuesday, the man who is hosting two Ukrainians in his Congleton home said.
"Over 88 Ukrainians are in the process, and over 50 are currently here," he revealed.
"We have 76 hosts so far. 50% have been matched.
"We have the capacity from the existing hosts to bring another 80 or 100 Ukrainian's. Now that's just for the Congleton area.
"The term 'Congleton area' is quite loose for us. We have hosts as far as Holmes Chapel, Flash, Siddington and Alsager."
The Congleton Area Support Network also have over 50 volunteers who help with logistics in getting those escaping the at-war country to come here.
"We were guided by one principle," he added.
"If you were that refugee saying goodbye to their father or family member going to fight, how would you want them to feel if they came over here?"
"We start with awareness, build community of the willing, find out who can sponsor, who can't but can help.
"We visit the hosts, make sure they understand what is required and have the suitable space, and to see if they will qualify for Cheshire East's criteria pre-vetting.
"The refugee camps have said can you have as many people as you can take. So we organise a video call of host and Ukrainian as soon as possible.
"We prepare their visa, what they have to do for their first weeks. We provide back-up, if host needs help picking up from airport for instance. We help them with the forms they have to fill in.
"The government is giving £200 per family, but you have to help them get their biometrics in Manchester to extend their visa from 2 months to 3 years.
"There's loads of problems you have to face and we help them with that.
"We also have a monthly clothes boutique. We collect donations, put it out on rails for them to browse through and choose. As we feel it is better than handing them a bin bag of clothes.
"We also use the event as a social one, glued together by cake and coffee. And a space where they can see their children are relaxed. The event also helps them with their English."
Last week, Congleton Nub News revealed the total figure of Ukrainian's confirmed to come to Cheshire East, but now thanks to Paul's words, we have a figure for the Congleton area.
Congleton: If you want to host, or just help Paul's group, please head to their website.
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