Guide for Hosts for Ukraine Dr Gill Martin. York

Transcript:Guide for Hosts for Ukraine Dr Gill Martin. York:
Guide for Hosts for Ukraine Dr Gill Martin. York City of Sanctuary A safe place Welcome your guests but don’t overwhelm them Allow them space to arrive. Take them for a wander around your neighbourhood. They probably won’t remember very much about what you have said but you can remind them later Talk about everyday things, where the shops are, show them a park, a green space. Create a calm atmosphere. Talking and Explaining Allow the guests to take the lead in speaking about what their worries are Try not to probe for information about their experiences. Don’t give your opinions about the politics of the war. At least not until you know each other much better. Reassure them about privacy and don’t repeat what they have told you to other people. Explain the way your household works, whether you usually eat together for example, or if they are cooking in your kitchen who cleans up what. If you have an animal/s explain the house rules about where they are allowed and what they are fed. The first few days/weeks There will need to be time spent dealing with practical matters. Finance being an important element and Radio 4 Money Box (April 2022) highlighted the Halifax as the bank with the fewest problems when people tried to open an account. Those receiving benefits need to have an account to receive the money. Similarly schools and GP’s take time to sort out. All those practicalities keep the Ukranian’s anxieties at bay while they are busy. It is later that some of the deeper feelings begin to emerge. Emotional stress Not everyone will suffer from trauma. Everyone will be shocked to some degree because the war began suddenly and the intensity of it was not expected. For some, connecting with others will be important so help the guests know where to find the languages classes, the drop-ins and the contact details for the local third sector organisations with experience of refugees. For a few people, time on their own will be important and large groups might be felt to be overwhelming. Try to be sensitive to what the guest might prefer. Encourage the guests to limit the amount of time they watch the television news. While they want to know what is happening in Ukraine, this can also create secondary trauma. Coping strategies Everyone has different strategies to manage stress in their