Villagers open their homes to refugees
With the Ukraine conflict continuing, communities across Stirlingshire are doing their best to help those displaced by the war.
A recent estimate from the UK Government revealed that more than 8,600 people had signed up to open their homes to host Ukrainian refugees, with the first crop arriving into the country earlier this week.
One of the local communities doing its best to support the refugee effort in the region is Balfron.
A Facebook page - named ‘Balfron Welcomes Ukrainians’ - was set up two weeks ago and acts as a ‘communication network’ for those looking to host in their homes, as well as for those looking to offer various kinds of support.
The page was set up by resident Frances Douglas, who was keen to offer a way of helping to welcome Ukrainian guests to the village.
Frances said: “I just saw people starting to do things in different villages and it’s been amazing to see the response; the group has got around 80 members so far.
“People are just keen to do what they can and hopefully it can act as part of a wider network with some of the other villages in time as well.
“We’ve had loads of people asking to host and even more people offering support, from art classes to English lessons and even making meals to support those hosting.
“There was the Covid support group and the level of support in that was huge and so while I’m really pleased that lots of people are interested, I’m not really surprised because a lot of people want to do their bit in whatever way they can.
One of those in the village preparing to welcome Ukrainian refugees is Audrey Alexander, who will be opening her home to three generations of a family after answering their calls for help.
She is hopeful that 49- year- old Oksana, alongside with her 72-year-old mother Olga and her six-year-old son Artur will arrive next week - with the trio still totally uncertain about what their futures will hold.
“They have my house and they will become part of my family and will be told to make themselves at home”, Audrey said.
“They don’t want to be away from their homes or jobs for too long but they don’t know if they are going back to a house in one piece and we don’t know if they will be here for a few weeks, a few months or years.
“All I’ve said to Oksana is that my house is your house.
“Oksana is very educated and speaks several languages and works as an English teacher, educating people to a high standard so she wants to work and has got great communication skills to help people.
“There have been people offering the use of their van to move things, someone else has provided a bike for the little boy staying here and we also have an 80-year-old lady in the village who speaks Ukrainian and is happy to speak to Olga when she arrives.
“I have the privilege of having this space and being able to do this because there are many people that would love to but can’t, but the community has been amazing in doing whatever it can and offering various things.’’