Ukrainian refugee hosts to get higher payments

Ukrainian refugees Liudmyla Hrebeniuk (L) and her daughter Alina Liudchko (R) have been living with their hosts Kev and Mae Draper since fleeing the Russian invasion

A Ukrainian mother and daughter who fled after Russian forces invaded their country say they are "grateful" for all the support they have received.

It comes as several councils in the West are increasing the amount of money paid to people hosting Ukrainian refugees.

Many have been living with sponsors as part of the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

"Most people prefer to be in a safe country. For us, England is now home," said Liudmyla Hrebeniuk.

Liudmyla Hrebeniuk was at a refugee camp when she and her daughter were invited to come to the UK

Mrs Hrebeniuk and her daughter Alina Liudchko came to the UK after meeting host Kev Draper as he delivered aid at a refugee camp on the Ukrainian-Polish border.

Since living at the Drapers' home in Keynsham near Bristol, both have been adapting to life in their new country.

"Home is Ukraine but now its very difficult to live there [because of the war]," Ms Hrebenik said.

"I now see England as my home. Its been difficult as my English is not so good.

"But now I go to college in Bath and my English is better now, I am happier."

She added they were grateful for the support they had received, with money for food and clothing.

'We don't do it for money'

Hosts Kev and Mae Draper are being given more money by the council to help with the cost of living

Hosts Kev and Mae Draper welcomed the pair to their home six months ago.

"I just thought, well, we have the room available - why not invite them back to the UK?" said Mr Draper.

"They just seemed like very nice people, but lost, not knowing what to do."

When informed there would be more money available from council to help hosts with the cost of living, Mr Draper said he welcomed it.

"But we don't do this for the financial benefits, we don't calculate it," he said.

"You need to do this because you want to it," agreed Mrs Draper.

"If you're doing it because you think the finance will help you, it won't work."

'They opened their hearts'

Liudmyla Hrebeniuk and daughter Alina Liudchko say England is now their home

To help off-set the costs of rising energy and food bills, councils are increasing the amount they pay hosts.

Among them is South Gloucestershire Council. It said it is now paying £500 pounds per month to ease the cost - an increase from £350.

The authority is also renewing an appeal for new hosts as 60 new refugees are expected to arrive in the area in the next few months.

Cabinet member for Cost of Living, Equalities and Public Health, Councillor Alison Evans, said the hosts already helping people displaced by the war in Ukraine had been 'fantastic.'

"They've opened up their hearts as well as their homes to our Ukrainian guests, so if you have a spare room and time to help Ukrainians and really want to help, please contact us.

"What we provide is also a wrap-around service to provide support - financial, medical, housing and language support."

Other authorities have also outlined what they are doing to help those taking part in the scheme.

Bristol City Council, Bath and North East Somerset (BANES), Wiltshire County Council, Swindon Borough Council and Somerset Council are all boosting the payments to £500 a month when guests have been living in the UK beyond six months.

Gloucestershire County Council, however, is providing £600 a month, regardless of how long the guests are with a host family.