Villagers are urged to offer helping hand to Ukrainians

PEOPLE in a South Derbyshire village are being urged to help Ukrainian families who have started arriving there and their hosts.

The Repton Community Support for Ukraine Refugees says so far two families have arrived in the village and are settling in with their host families.

Writing in The Village News, Julia Stentoft and Trevor Skeith from the group, which was formed with the aim of providing support for people in Repton and Milton registered with the Government Homes for Ukrainian Refugees scheme, say: “The experience is very much a learning curve for everyone involved so it has been extremely reassuring to have others in the group to call upon for support and advice.”

While some members of the group are providing safe, temporary homes for their Ukrainian guests, others are lending a hand to the host families by assisting with transport, shopping, financial advice, cooking and taking on a myriad of other supportive roles.

The group says it is grateful for everyone who has already extended the hand of friendship but feel sure there may be others who would be keen to help out in similar ways.

It asks villages if they could:

■Take someone shopping;

■Escort them to an appointment;

■Offer advice with administrative/financial/ educational issues;

■Cook a supper,

■■In fact, offer anything that would enable Repton’s Ukrainian guests to settle into the community.

Anyone who can help should call Julia on 07876 556971 or Trevor on 07929 542215.

The group says it is receiving invaluable support from the Theo Trust, which is working alongside Repton School to assist families affected by the war. A house has become available which will house a mother and daughter and is currently being prepared for occupation.

The group says it is grateful to all those who have offered items of furnishing.

Finally, it says if people want to help, but are not sure how, it would welcome a donation of a £5 Primark or Boots voucher. These will then be distributed amongst Repton’s Ukrainian families to allow them to purchase personal items of clothing or toiletries.

Vouchers can be left at 81 High Street, Repton, or 9 Main Street in the village.