Kind community is once again serving up help and support in times of need
KINDNESS is one of the most important qualities a person can have and I am shown time and time again that many of my constituents embody what it means to be kind.
During the pandemic, thousands went out of their way to look after their neighbours, to support one another and revisit the importance of community values.
Although in our towns and villages this sense of community predates the pandemic, lockdown caused a pause, where neighbours for the first time were all home at the same time.
Conversations were had, support was given, and friendships were formed. It is no surprise then that so many constituents are opening up their homes and communities to Ukrainian refugees, because when someone is in need, Derbyshire Dales residents volunteer to help.
I want to thank everyone who is helping the Ukrainian families now living amongst us, whether that is by donating food and clothes or opening up their homes.
The Ukrainian people are facing heart-breaking attacks, by land, sea and air. This is a premeditated and unprovoked attack, barbaric in execution, on a sovereign democratic state. I stand with the Ukrainian people and their President, whose defiance, courage, and patriotism in the face of foreign aggression is inspiring.
At the weekend I was delighted to meet a local family who have sponsored Ukrainian refugees. The family were settling in well and the host family were delighted to be able to support them.
I also visited an event in Ashbourne welcoming Ukrainian refugees to our area. Ashbourne Community Transport are offering to help refugee families get around our area and Roman and Nadia from the Ukrainian Association in Derby are running Wednesday friendship and cultural meetings for refugees in our area.
Elim Church are providing support and Adam and his team are working tirelessly to help. Our community is wonderful and with every changing season and every challenge, residents step up to assist.
I know some constituents have complained the visa process is taking too long and I can assure you that I and my colleagues are doing everything we can to speed this process up.
It is vital desperate Ukrainians fleeing their homes can access the UK’S generous package of support as quickly as possible.
It is essential that a choke point is not created at places such as Calais. People smugglers are already present in the region, and it is essential people do not attempt to make dangerous Channel crossings to enter the UK.
While the Home Office has waived normal requirements for salary or language tests, the visa approval process allows for security and biometric checks to take place as they did for the evacuation of people from Afghanistan.
The reason for this is to keep British citizens safe, particularly as Russian troops are now infiltrating Ukraine and merging into Ukrainian forces.
Unfortunately, we know all too well what Putin’s Russia is willing to do, even on our soil, as we saw through the Salisbury attack and the nerve agents used on the streets of the UK.
I am encouraged the UK has increased its visa processing capacity in the region ten-fold to cope with applications.
I want to take this opportunity to thank all those who have come together to work and assist with the processing, arrival, accommodation and settling in of our Ukrainian guests.
My Parliamentary and constituency support teams have been working as hard as possible to chase up visa applications and travel documents.
They have assisted many hosts in navigating the visa process, which has had issues at times.
We are totally committed to assisting local residents and refugee families locally in whatever ways we can.
Do not hesitate to contact me if we can help.
SARAH DINES MP this week says thanks to those helping Ukrainian families beginning a new life in the Dales