Fresh appeal for hosts for Ukrainian refugees
Katya Manokhina, 21, has been staying with host Jill Hanna in Leominster for the past four months
At a glance
To date, 716 people have been accommodated in Herefordshire through the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme
Support groups say more homes are needed to help those fleeing the war-torn country
Jill Hanna, who has so far hosted Ukrainians on three occasions, said she had found it "really worthwhile"
- Published
A fresh appeal has been made for people in Herefordshire to host Ukrainian refugees.
So far, 716 Ukrainians fleeing the war-torn nation have been accommodated in the county through the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, which offers guests a UK visa and housing with local residents.
While about 100 have now left Herefordshire, scheme organisers say hosts are needed for a fresh wave of arrivals as bombing in Ukraine continues.
Across the wider West Midlands, 7,220 Ukrainians have been sponsored and sheltered.
Herefordshire, combined with neighbouring Malvern Hills, has taken in the most refugees per person than any other part of the region.
"My parents grew up with German Jewish refugees. When the war [in Ukraine] broke out, I applied [to help]," said Jill Hanna, a host in Leominster.
"I thought that this was something I could do. There have been lots of high points.
"If you've got a spare bedroom, and maybe a spare bathroom helps too, it's really worthwhile."
After first hosting a family-of-three last July, Ms Hanna is now on her third sponsorship, with 21-year-old student Katya Manokhina.
Having spent a year in Herefordshire, Katya Manokhina is returning to Ukraine to study engineering in Kyiv
"I've had an amazing time with Jill," Ms Manokhina said. "I now feel like England is my second home."
This Sunday, she will return to Ukraine's capital Kyiv to start an engineering degree.
"I want to help with the reconstruction of my own country," she said.
"I've spent the last year being in a safe place. I want to help my people."
Sunday will also be the first time in nine months that Ms Manokhina has seen her mother.
But as she returns, help continues to be needed.
Diocese of Hereford coordinator Lesley Grady says the sponsorship scheme has been a big success in the county
"We desperately do need more hosts," said Lesley Grady, a coordinator for the Diocese of Hereford, which has been involved in supporting hosts and matching them with Ukrainian guests.
"The bombing has intensified in Ukraine, covering more of the west. So now, where people have escaped, they no longer feel safe there and need another safe haven."